This Article Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Rowley, S. Articles by Clare, S. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Improving standards of aseptic practice through an ANTT trust-wide implementation process: a matter of prioritisation and care

ANTT UK Lead, Cancer Division, Haematology, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London NW1 2PG, stephen.rowley{at}uclh.nhs.uk

Simon Clare

Practice Development CNS, University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

septic technique is a critical last line of defence between patients and clinical staff. Aseptic Non Touch Technique (ANTT) recognises this and is based on the premise that reducing the variables in aseptic practice across large clinical workforces by standardising aseptic technique will improve quality of practice and subsequently infection rates. The scale of adoption of ANTT in the National Health Service (NHS) continues to grow, with uptake currently estimated at between 150—250 NHS hospitals using ANTT as a standard aseptic technique. To better understand how effectively the implementation process was working in different trusts a convenience sample of acute trusts (n=7) was reviewed. The trusts used the recommended ANTT implementation framework and applicable audit tools. Feedback was requested regarding the implementation process as well as healthcare associated infection (HCAI) trends mapped before and after ANTT implementation. All seven trusts had found the ANTT implementation process an effective tool for standardising aseptic practice across large clinical workforces. Data reviewed from five of the trusts suggests the process impacted positively on HCAI trends. Limitations include appreciating ANTT implementation alongside other infection control interventions. More controlled studies appear to be warranted, especially now that ANTT is the most common standard aseptic technique in NHS hospitals.

Key Words: Aseptic Non Touch Technique (ANTT) • guidelines • healthcare associated infection (HCAI) • IV therapy

Journal of Infection Prevention, Vol. 10, No. 1 Suppl, s18-s23 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/1757177409342140


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?