Hospital-based epidemiology: a strategy for ‘dealing with Clostridium difficile’.

Title: Hospital-based epidemiology: a strategy for ‘dealing with Clostridium difficile’.

Source: Journal of Hospital Infection, 74(4) 319-325.

Date of publication: April 2010

Publication type: Journal Article

In a nutshell: Study that shows the value of local epidemiology for planning infection prevention and control strategies within an NHS trust and for contributing to the evidence base for national targets and policies. This prospective epidemiological study of 275 new cases (general practitioner and hospital) diagnosed in a large teaching hospital in the UK shows the highest incidence of cases was found in haematology and critical care and a surprisingly high proportion, 29%, of hospital cases occurred in those aged <65 years.

Length of publication: 6p.

Some important notes: Please contact your local NHS Library for the full text of the article.

Acknowledgement: CINAHL

Implementing the new NHS Cleaning Manual: Vicki Finlay, NPSA interview

Title: Implementing the new NHS Cleaning Manual: Vicki Finlay, NPSA interview

Source: Focused FM TV

Follow this link to Video

Date of publication: 21/09/09

Publication type: Audiovisual

In a nutshell: Interview with Vicki Finlay, Healthcare Cleanliness Lead at the NPSA advises on what the changes made by the introduction of The Revised Healthcare Cleaning Manual mean for trusts and how best they can implement the new guidance to drive improvements in cleanliness.

Length of publication: 05.30 minutes

Some important Notes: Site requires free registration.

Revised Healthcare Cleaning Manual

Title: The Revised Health Care Cleaning Manual

Source: National Patient Safety Agency

Follow this link for fulltext

Date of publication: June 2009

Publication type: Practice Guidelines

In a nutshell: Revised Healthcare Cleaning Manual detailing new guidance to drive improvements in cleanliness across different healthcare settings, including acute care, mental health care, primary care and the ambulance service.  It provides a new, improved collection of cleaning method statements as well as new advice on the use of emerging cleaning technologies.

Length of publication: 174p.

Decontamination in primary care dental practices

Title: Decontamination: Health Technical Memorandum 01-05: Decontamination in primary care dental practices

Source: DH

Follow this link for fulltext

Date of publication: April 2009

Publication type: Standards

In a nutshell: Guidance produced to reflect a rational and reasonable response to emerging evidence around the effectiveness of decontamination in primary care dental practices, and the risk of prion transmission through protein decontamination of dental instruments.

Length of publication: 107p

Some important notes: Health Technical Memorandum 01-05, Covering Letter from the Chief Dental Officer

Acknowledgement: DH Website

Potential pitfalls in adherence to hand washing in the community.

Title: Potential pitfalls in adherence to hand washing in the community

Source: British Journal of Community Nursing, 14(2) 64-8

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Date of publication:

Publication type: Journal Article

In a nutshell:  Identifies the vital need for infection control in community settings and the key role of hand hygiene.  Identifies the following barriers; lack of education and time, poor facilities,  innapropriate clothing and hand adornments.  Provides an evidence based approach to overcome thse barriers and emphasises the role of the community nurse in the team as facilitator of best practice.

Length of publication: 4 pages

Some important notes: Requires NHS Athens Password

Acknowledgement: CINAHL