INFECTION PREVENTION & CONTROL ARTICLES

Christine Finch, Head of Infection Prevention and Control, at Nuffield Health, provides an insight into how Nuffield Health achieved the highest standards in infection prevention across its sites, including Gold accreditation in Aseptic Non-Touch Technique (ANTT). What can NHS hospitals learn from their experience?

Fast diagnostics have the potential to significantly shorten time to appropriate therapy for bloodstream infections at high risk of sepsis, yet significant barriers to adoption persist, warns a new report by the Office of Health Economics. The report calls for the removal of structural and workflow barriers, so that fast results translate into faster therapy.

Taking place 28–29 April 2026, at the National Conference Centre, Birmingham, IPC 2026 is dedicated entirely to infection prevention and control — bringing together the people, ideas and innovations shaping the future of safer healthcare.

In this article, Jędrzej Gromadecki examines the importance of disinfection in reducing the spread of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), within healthcare settings. He highlights how evidence-based practices, emerging technologies, and integration with antimicrobial stewardship programmes can optimise outcomes. By addressing gaps in implementation and leveraging innovation in the disinfection field, healthcare facilities can significantly reduce the transmission of MDROs.

Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust has pioneered nasal photodisinfection to tackle surgical site infections. In this article, Jason Hickok looks at how the technology is being used to eliminate pathogens without contributing to antimicrobial resistance.

Caterina Galani, Global product manager, Mölnlycke, discusses the lessons learnt from the ‘Prevent, Protect, Provide’ webinar, led by Professor Christopher Gee, Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon and Associate Medical Director at NHS Golden Jubilee.

The Infection Prevention Society’s Annual Conference, Infection Prevention 2025, is taking place at the Brighton Centre on the 29-30 September. In this article, CSJ looks at some of the discussion themes and innovation that will be showcased at the event

At the recent Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) conference, deadly fungal infections, increasing drug-resistance, and rapidly mutating viruses were all high on the agenda. Learning lessons from the past, effective diagnostics, and ensuring preparedness will be key. Louise Frampton reports.

In this article, Dr. Tim Sandle discusses the evolution of Quaternary Ammonium Compounds (QACs) and their application in healthcare. He provides an insight into their efficacy and sets out why the latest generation of QACs represent an advancement.

Following the relocation of Royal Papworth Hospital to the Cambridge Biomedical Campus in 2019, an increase in surgical site infections (SSIs) prompted a comprehensive, multidisciplinary investigation. While the initial rise was attributed to environmental transition, further analysis revealed a complex web of contributing factors. Eleonora Iervella discusses how a pioneering new role has made a significant impact.

This April, Knowlex is hosting four essential conferences dedicated to advancing healthcare through infection prevention, patient safety, and innovation. Taking place over two days at the National Conference Centre in Birmingham, these events will bring together leading experts, groundbreaking research, and the latest advancements to address key challenges in infection control, sepsis management, mental health infection prevention, and decontamination and sterilisation.

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.