IP&C: current trends and future directions

Infection prevention has always been a cornerstone of healthcare practice, particularly in environments where vulnerable patients are exposed to potential pathogens. As healthcare evolves, so too must the strategies and tools used to prevent infections. This article provides an overview of current trends and future directions in infection prevention, with a focus on the challenges associated with securing airway devices using unlicensed products. By exploring insights from NHS Trusts' Freedom of Information (FOI) requests, practitioner surveys, and focus groups, the author aims to highlight the importance of best practices in reducing healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) and improving patient safety.

Airway devices such as endotracheal tubes and laryngeal masks are critical in many healthcare settings, particularly during surgery and intensive care. However, these devices pose a significant risk for infection, particularly when secured using unlicensed products. These risks arise from a lack of standardisation and potential contamination, leading to HCAIs, including ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), which is one of the most common and serious complications in hospital settings.

VAP is a lung infection that develops in people who are on mechanical ventilation through an endotracheal or tracheostomy tube for more than 48 hours. It is a serious complication, often occurring in critically ill patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). VAP is typically caused by bacterial pathogens that colonise the upper respiratory tract and enter the lungs via the ventilator tube, leading to infection.