INFECTION PREVENTION & CONTROL ARTICLES

Each year, we commemorate World Tuberculosis Day on 24 March to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of tuberculosis (TB) and to step up efforts to end the global TB epidemic. The date marks the day in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced that he had discovered the bacterium that causes TB, which opened the way towards diagnosing and curing this disease.

The infection risk posed by water systems in hospitals was high on the agenda at the Infection Prevention annual conference. Should we ‘blindly follow guidance’ or take a risk-based approach to water / wastewater safety? Moreover, should we reduce the number of water outlets in hospitals or eliminate them altogether in some locations? Top experts gathered to answer these key questions, at the ICC, Birmingham.

The mission to reduce the incidence of surgical site infection continues to gain momentum, with a high impact programme of expert insights at this year’s OneTogether conference. CSJ provides an overview of this must-attend event.

Kate Woodhead RGN DMS provides an overview of the latest global reports on the state of infection prevention and control (IPC). These reports reveal the considerable variability in the implementation of core components of IPC and highlight the need for significant improvement.

Dawn Stott highlights the findings from Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, practitioner surveys, and focus groups, which provide an insight into current knowledge and awareness around the role of airway devices in infection risk. In this article, she discusses the potential for patient harm and how this can be mitigated.

St George’s University Hospitals Trust evaluated an intervention designed to reduce the incidence of Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP) in mechanically ventilated patients. The analysis showed a 66% reduction in VAP, highlighting the potential for substantial cost savings and improved patient outcomes, through the implementation of preventative medical devices.

Gloves are commonly over-used in healthcare settings, and an incorrect choice of gloves can result in important consequences, such as increased risk of cross-transmission, exposure of healthcare providers to increased risk, or increased cost and waste. Jon Otter highlights some key considerations and best practice to ensure optimum safety.

Sandra Quinn, Project Lead for Surgical Site Infection Surveillance, at the York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, examines the rise in Caesarean births, why Caesarean section SSIs are common, and considers some measures which could help reduce infection rates.

Will Eardley and Helen Smith, from James Cook University Hospital, highlight the impact of implant related infections in orthopaedic surgery and the challenges around biofilm formation. In this article, they consider the role of hydrogel in preventing infections and share their valuable insights into selecting patients who could benefit.

The Infection Prevention Society’s Annual Conference, Infection Prevention 2024, is taking place at the ICC, Birmingham from the 23 -25 September. This educational event features an innovative scientific programme led by international and national experts in infection prevention.

Following the success of previous events, Knowlex is further looking at expanding 
the horizons of infection prevention and control (IPC) at the Infection Prevention and Control Conference, scheduled for April 23 - 24, at The National Conference Centre in Birmingham.

Gerry Lacey discusses the changes in emphasis that are being driven in the US by the Leapfrog Group Hand Hygiene Standard and the lessons that can be learned in the UK

Kate Woodhead RGN DMS explains why surgical site infection surveillance is an important element of practice development. She looks at the latest data and discusses the frameworks for best practice