INFECTION PREVENTION & CONTROL ARTICLES
Identifying, protecting and containing infection
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.
A message of hope: ‘Yes! We can end TB’
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.
Should we have less sinks in hospitals?
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.
OneTogether: the mission to reduce SSIs
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.
Global update on infection prevention and control
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.
IP&C: current trends and future directions
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.
Reducing rates of ventilator associated pneumonia
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.
Role of glove quality in maximising staff safety
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.
Reducing post-Caesarean surgical site infections
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.
Hydrogel coatings and complex fracture care
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.
Advancing best practice in infection prevention
The Infection Prevention Society’s Annual Conference, Infection Prevention 2024, is taking place at the ICC, Birmingham from the 23 -25 September. This educational event features an innovative scientific programme led by international and national experts in infection prevention.
Making a difference: towards a safer tomorrow
Following the success of previous events, Knowlex is further looking at expanding the horizons of infection prevention and control (IPC) at the Infection Prevention and Control Conference, scheduled for April 23 - 24, at The National Conference Centre in Birmingham.
Hand hygiene improvement strategies: US vs UK
Gerry Lacey discusses the changes in emphasis that are being driven in the US by the Leapfrog Group Hand Hygiene Standard and the lessons that can be learned in the UK
Surgical site infections surveillance report
Kate Woodhead RGN DMS explains why surgical site infection surveillance is an important element of practice development. She looks at the latest data and discusses the frameworks for best practice
Latest Issues
Scottish Intensive Care Society Conference 2025
Crieff Hydro Hotel, Scotland
1st - 2nd May 2025
AfPP Plymouth Regional Conference
TBC, Plymouth
10th May 2025
Association of Continence Professionals Annual Conference and Networking Exhibition 2025
Kents Hill Park, Milton Keynes
19th - 20th May 2025
Theatres and Decontamination Conference
CBS Arena
20th May 2025
British Infection Association 27th Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting 2025
Hilton, Newcastle Gateshead
20th - 21st May 2025
BAUN Day Educational Event
Hilton, Belfast
6th June 2025