Comment EDITOR’S COMMENTwith LOUISE FRAMPTON THE CLINICAL SERVICES JOURNAL
INFECTION & PREVENTION
Editor
Louise Frampton
louiseframpton@stepcomms.com
Technical Editor Kate Woodhead
Journal Administration Katy Cockle
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Design Steven Dillon
Business Manager
James Scrivens
jamesscrivens@stepcomms.com
Publisher Geoff King
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Publishing Director Trevor Moon
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STEP COMMUNICATIONS ISSN No. 1478-5641
© Step Communications Ltd, 2023 Single copy: £19.00 per issue. Annual journal subscription: UK £114.00 Overseas: £150.00
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Follow us: @csjmagazine
Follow the CSJ LinkedIn page. Search Clinical Services Journal 12 Continuing challenges with antimicrobial resistance
Kate Woodhead RGN DMS provides an insight into the highlights from the Infection 360 conference. High on the agenda was the threat posed by antimicrobial resistance, with a major focus on MRSA.
17 Managing airborne infection risks in healthcare
The Infection Prevention Society recently held its annual conference at the ACC in Liverpool. Central themes, this year, included ‘Antimicrobial Resistance, Preparedness and Environment’. In the wake of the pandemic, innovative technologies aimed at reducing the risk of airborne infection came to the fore and IP2023 highlighted some promising potential strategies going forward.
21 Improving patient engagement on AMR
A multidisciplinary effort at United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust is exploring a means of improving patient engagement regarding the risk of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR), as well as ensuring effective infection management. This article outlines some key recommendations and strategies.
29 The need for innovation in hand hygiene
Arjun Luthra argues that there is a need to innovate in the field of hand hygiene, as the tools available to combat healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) have remained unchanged for quite some time. Arjun calls for a shift in perspective to address the limitations of current approaches.
33 Role of antimicrobial additives in surgical lights
Tom Partington highlights the contribution of antimicrobial additives in surgical lights in reducing surgical site infections as part of a multifaceted approach.
37 Driving improvements in environmental hygiene
Associate Professor, Dr. Yew-Fong (Pamela) Lee and Dr. Thomas Oh examine the clinical evidence for the prevention of cross-contamination and spread of healthcare-associated infections, within the context of material compatibility between disinfectant wipes, surfaces and equipment.
43 Navigating a shifting disease landscape
Dr. Andrew Birnie, Dr. Paul Oladimeji and Gemma Stokes highlight the difficulties of adapting diagnostic testing to new clinical threats and ever-changing disease targets. They discuss the modern approaches that are future-proofing the way that we manage respiratory diseases.
December 2023 I
www.clinicalservicesjournal.com 3
‘Going green’ and other infection control challenges
When I started as the editor of CSJ, in the mid 2000s, the trend was to move to single use for a wide variety of healthcare products – from scissors, drapes, and plastic aprons; to a ‘sea’ of blue paper – all disposed of without a thought of the impact on the environment. Today, Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) professionals are being tasked with assessing, implementing and championing change. The scale of the challenge was laid bare at AfPP’s congress in 2023. The staggering amount of waste associated with single use products and packaging was highlighted by Dutch artist Maria Koijck. After undergoing a full mastectomy, Maria created an art installation with a powerful message – displaying the vast amount of waste created from her 10-hour breast reconstruction surgery (
https://youtu.be/J1InyHgC5oo). We know that plastic PPE waste can be reduced, inappropriate glove use can be tackled, and that there is greater potential for reusables, although this must be evaluated to ensure patient safety at all times. All eyes will be on IPC teams and this will be in addition to the day job - tackling hand hygiene, antimicrobial resistance, SSI, sepsis, new variants, novel viruses and, of course, the old foes such as MRSA. Nevertheless, we must view IPC through the lens of sustainability. It isn’t going to be easy, but when a past-president of the Infection Prevention Society, Professor Jennie Wilson, becomes a champion for ‘Green Surgery’, you know it is time to listen. (View the Green Surgery report at:
https://tinyurl.com/yhaetft3)
louiseframpton@stepcomms.com Get in touch and give us your views, email me:
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