Health Protection Scotland Healthcare Associated Infection Annual Report 2012

Source: Health Protection Scotland

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Date of publication: May 2013

In a nutshell: This is the fourth annual report on the surveillance of Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) in Scotland covering the period January – December 2012.  It provides a stocktake of the epidemiology of HAI in Scotland. The aim of this report is to identify key information on HAI in Scotland, demonstrating the burden of infection, trends in infection incidence, share supplementary epidemiological and microbiological data from the national reference laboratories, demonstrate support provided to NHS boards in the management of outbreaks and identify future priorities.

Length of publication: 40 pages

Study recommends changes to pneumonia prevention strategies

Source: Health Protection Agency

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Date of publication: March 2013

In a nutshell: A Health Protection Agency (HPA) report has found since 2000 the number of cases of Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PCP) has increased in England by an average of seven per cent each year. The findings of the paper suggest that further work is needed to re-assess the prevention strategies currently in place for dealing with this infection.

Length of publication: 7 pages

Antimicrobial resistance poses ‘catastrophic threat’, says Chief Medical Officer

Source: Department of Health

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Date of publication: March 2013

In a nutshell: Global action is needed to tackle the catastrophic threat of antimicrobial resistance, which in 20 years could see any one of us dying following minor surgery, according to England’s Chief Medical Officer, Professor Dame Sally Davies.  The stark warning comes as the second volume of the Chief Medical Officer’s annual report is published, providing a comprehensive overview of the threat of antimicrobial resistance and infectious diseases.  The report can be viewed here.

Read the science behind the news headlines on this story via NHS Choices.

Length of publication: Volume 2 of the report is 153 pages.

New action plan launched to combat emerging threat of untreatable gonorrhoea in England and Wales

Source: Health Protection Agency http://www.hpa.org.uk

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Date of publication: Feb 2013

In a nutshell: The first Gonorrhoea Resistance Action Plan for England and Wales has been published, recommending a heightened national response to combat this serious threat. The Action Plan was developed by the Gonococcal Resistance to Antimicrobials Surveillance Programme (GRASP), established by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) to monitor the growing global problem of emerging resistance over the last decade in the absence of new therapeutic options.

Healthcare associated infection and antimicrobial resistance

Source: Health Protection Agency

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Date: August 2012

In a nutshell: The Health Protection Agency has published ‘Healthcare-Associated Infection and Antimicrobial Resistance: 2010-2011’. The report contains information relating to the mandatory surveillance of MRSA, MSSA, E. coli bactaeraemia and Clostridium difficile infection; surveillance of surgical site infection; continuing rise of carbapenemases; resistance in Gonococci; surveillance of Norovirus; and antiviral resistance.

Length of publication: 23 page

Quality criteria for an effective immunisation programme

Source: Health Protection Agency

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Date of publication: July 2012

In a nutshell: The Health Protection Agency has published ‘Quality criteria for an effective immunisation programme’. This document defines the key elements for the implementation and delivery of a safe, equitable, high quality, efficient immunisation service which is responsive to the needs of vaccine recipients and/or their carers. It is intended for all those involved in immunisation programmes including commissioners, providers and advisors. The document includes the following sections: vaccine accessibility, assessment prior to immunisation, effective communication about vaccines, transport, storage and handling, documentation, adverse event/incident reporting, training and coordination.

Length of publication: 13 pages

Innovative products aim to ‘Design Bugs Out’

Source: Department of Health

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Date of publication: Nov 2011

In a nutshell: The Design Bugs Out (DBO) project aimed to bring designers and manufacturers together with clinical specialists, patients and frontline staff to help combat infections by making hospital furniture and equipment easier and quicker to clean. This report details the subsequent evaluation of four DBO products: a commode, bedside cabinet, patient chair and overbed table.

Length of publication: 24 pages

Evaluation of the OTEX Ozone Laundry System

Source: Department of Health

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Date of publication: Nov 2011

In a nutshell: OTEX is a patented commercial ozone laundry system.  It has been shown to be an effective method of disinfection including being effective against hardy environmental bacteria such as Clostridium difficile spores.  It was evaluated at Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust; the majority of staff would recommend OTEX ozone laundered cloths to colleagues in the NHS.  The OTEX system also offers an opportunity for Trusts to support the drive within the NHS to reduce the NHS carbon footprint by 10% by 2015 from the 2007 level.

Length of publication: 25 pages

Timestrip® as a visual indicator of the dwell time of peripheral venous catheters

Source: Department of Health

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Date of publication: Nov 2011

In a nutshell: Timestrip® is a device which aims to give a visual indication of the dwell-time of in-situ peripheral cannulae to prevent the cannula dwell-time exceeding the usual recommended time period of 72 hours or less.  Timestrip® was evaluated over a five-week period at Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust.

Length of publication: 26 pages

Bio-Cav40 Ultrasonic Cleaning: potential to reduce healthcare associated infections?

Source: Department of Health 

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Date of publication: Nov 2011

In a nutshell: Bio-Cav40 Ultrasonic Cleaning is a cleaning technology that has been used in industry such as automotive, sporting, printing, marine, medical, pharmaceutical, electro-plating, engineering and weapons industries.  It can be used in healthcare to clean items such as wheelchairs, commodes, IV stands and furniture.

Length of publication: 23 pages

Intensive Care Unit Associated Infection (ICUAI) National Surveillance Programme

Source: Health Protection Scotland

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Date of publication: April 2011

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: The first report from the Intensive Care Unit Associated Infection (ICUAI) National Surveillance Programme provides data for the period May 2009 to January 2010 from 19 Intensive Care Units in Scotland.  The report contains surveillance data data relating to central venous catheter-related infection (CRI), catheter related bloodstream infection (CR-BSI), pneumonia (PN) and bloodstream infections (BSI).

Length of publication: 24 pages

Effectiveness of influenza vaccination in the UK

Source: Health Protection Scotland

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Date of publication: February 2011

Publication type: Report

In a nutshell: A mid-season assessment of the effectiveness of the UK’s current-season influenza vaccination programme indicates that the programme has been effective and that there has been a moderately good matching of the trivalent vaccine and the circulating influenza strain(s). 

Length of publication: Web page