Journal of Infection Prevention current issue

Redefining the irreducible minimum -- a long journey in a short time

Kiernan, M. — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:03:11 PST

Efficacy of pre-procedural rinsing in reducing aerosol contamination during dental procedures

Purohit, B., Priya, H., Acharya, S., Bhat, M., Ballal, M. — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:03:11 PST

Our objective was to determine the efficacy of pre-procedural rinsing with chlorhexidine in reducing bacterial aerosol contamination during use of ultrasonic scaler and high speed air turbine handpiece. Twenty patients, ten each for the two groups who were found to satisfy the inclusion criteria were selected for the study. Four predesignated locations of the dental clinic were chosen to be evaluated for each patient using blood agar plates. Aerosols were collected during treatment procedures for control and experimental quadrants. Results showed that a regimen of 30-seconds pre-procedural rinsing with 0.12% chlorhexidine gluconate before dental procedures consistently reduced colony-forming units than without rinsing due to the ability of antiseptic mouthwash to inhibit microbial growth. There was more aerosol contamination during scaling procedures than during the use of a high speed air turbine handpiece. The conclusion is that chlorhexidine is an effective primary measure in reducing aerosol cross-contamination when using dental devices in a dental set up.

An adjusted funnel plot methodology for benchmarking targeted local healthcare associated prevalence surveys

Cairns, S., Stewart, S., Allardice, G., Reilly, J. — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:03:11 PST

We report the development of a local healthcare associated infection prevalence survey methodology that uses multivariate adjustment and funnel plots to facilitate benchmarking of local survey results against Scottish National HAI Prevalence Survey data. The tool provides robust and consistent results that can be used to inform infection control strategy.

Correlation between the incidence of nosocomial aspergillosis and room reconstruction of a haematological ward

Hutter, G., Ganepola, S., Thiel, E., Blau, I. — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:03:11 PST

Invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA) represents ~ a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients I with impaired function of the immune system such as in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML). We investigated the in uence of the patients’ room occu- pancy and the sanitary facilities with regard to the inci- dence of IPA after reconstruction of a haematological ward. This is a retrospective cohort-control study in patients with newly diagnosed AML. Thirty ve patients were treated before and 28 patients in the time after the reconstruction works. The median time of neutropenia was 18.5 days vs. 19.5 days. Twelve patients before and 11 patients after the reconstruction developed IPA (p = 0.794). The incidence of IPA did not decrease after a reduction in the patients’ occupancy and improvement of the sanitary equipment. This study emphasises the presumed importance of optimal physical barriers, e.g. air ltration and/or antimycotic prophylaxis in high-risk patients.

Innovative infection prevention and control teaching for nursing students: a personal reflection

Burnett, E. — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:03:11 PST

A crucial part of our role as Infection Prevention and Control Practitioners is to develop, facilitate and evaluate the teaching and learning of students and healthcare workers. However, creating an environment for participation, interaction and socialisation whilst effectively stimulating reflective and critical thinking in order to promote good practice can be challenging. This paper is a critical reflection, based on Gibb’s model of reflection to demonstrate the development, facilitation, support and evaluation of learning using an innovative, interactive method.

Effective teaching on infection prevention and control: it's all about what learning is going on

Prieto, J. — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:03:11 PST

MMR Vaccine and Healthcare workers

Green, D. — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:03:11 PST

Should the government's deep cleaning hospitals programme have been evaluated?

Ayliffe, G. — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:03:11 PST