Infection Control Horizon Scanning Volume 2 Issue 4

New Department of Health C. Difficile objective

Source: Department of Health

For full text link here

Date of publication: March 2010

Publication type: News item

In a nutshell: A new C.difficile objective will be introduced and will require organisations with the highest rates of infection to make the biggest reductions and challenge the best performers to sustain their low rates and strive for further improvements.

Length of publication: Web page

Clean Hands for Life: results of a large, multicentre, multifaceted, social marketing hand-hygiene campaign

Title: Clean Hands for Life: results of a large, multicentre, multifaceted, social marketing hand-hygiene campaign

Source: Journal of Hospital Infection 74(3) 225-231

Date of publication: March 2010

Publication type: Journal Article

In a nutshell: campaign involved rotation of ten novel posters, two poster contests, and distribution of multiple promotional items. A social marketing approach was used to implement and monitor the effectiveness of the campaign. Evaluation included quality assurance surveys, staff surveys (baseline, mid- and post-campaign), and focus groups. The results showed that social marketing is an effective approach in engaging Health Care Workers (HCWs). Hand-hygiene campaigns that focus almost exclusively on increasing awareness among HCWs may not be as successful as multifaceted campaigns or campaigns that target identified barriers to hand-hygiene.

Length of publication: 6p.

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

Acknowledgement: CINAHL

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

Surveillance tool to help recognise signs of catheter related infections

Source: Nursing Times, February 2010, vol./is. 106/6(12-4) (16th Feb)

For abstract link here

Date of publication: February 2010

Publication type: Journal article

In a nutshell: This article outlines the development of a surveillance tool at Central Manchester University Hospital Foundation Trust, designed to recognise signs of infection and speed up catheter removal.

Length of publication: 3 pages

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

Body art practices among inmates: implications for transmission of bloodborne infections

Title: Body art practices among inmates: implications for transmission of bloodborne infections

Source: American Journal of Infection Control 38(2) 121-129.

Date of publication: March 2010

Publication type: Journal Article

In a nutshell: Unsterile body art practices among inmates in prison have been implicated in the transmission of bloodborne viruses. This article identifies both risk factors and identifies strategies to reduce the transmission of bloodborne viruses.

Length of publication: 8p.

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

Acknowledgement: CINAHL

Further Dissemination

If you think anyone would benefit from receiving this bulletin, please suggest that they subscribe to receive updates by email.