The website of the Clinical Services Journal

Decontamination strategies in ICU

The pandemic has highlighted the importance of robust IP&C strategies for ICUs.

The recent pandemic has once again highlighted the importance of robust infection prevention strategies in all clinical settings, including ICUs. Anne Savage, a senior staff nurse, and Rachel Crisford, ICU lead nurse, at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, provide an insight into decontamination strategies and discuss the evidence to support best practice.

Nosocomial infections continue to be a significant cause of morbidity, mortality, and added costs in the healthcare setting. Half of all life-threatening nosocomial bloodstream infections and pneumonias occur in intensive care units (ICUs), despite ICUs representing only 15% to 20% of all hospital beds.1 This means that an efficient focus for prevention and control of life-threatening healthcare-associated infections should be in ICUs. This article examines the potential role of decontamination in ICU as part of an overall infection prevention strategy

Healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) are described as ‘infections occurring in a healthcare setting that were not present prior to a patient entering that care setting,’.2 Estimates of HCAI prevalence vary and the most recent National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) data estimates a prevalence in hospitals in England of 6.4%.3 However, more recent modelling estimates that, in 2016/2017, in NHS hospitals in England, there could have been 834,000 HCAIs, which potentially cost the NHS £2.7 billion, accounted for 28,500 patient deaths and led to an additional 7.1 million occupied hospital bed days (equivalent to 21% of the annual number of all bed days across all NHS hospitals in England).4

Log in or register FREE to read the rest

This story is Premium Content and is only available to registered users. Please log in at the top of the page to view the full text. If you don't already have an account, please register with us completely free of charge.
Register

Upcoming Events

Central Sterilising Club - Annual Scientific Meeting 2024

Crowne Plaza at Gerrard’s Cross
15th April 2024 – 16th April 2024

DECON UK 2024

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
17th April 2024

Infection Prevention & Control

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
23rd - 24th April 2024

Theatres & Decontamination Conference 2024

Coventry Building Society Arena
16th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Birmingham

Millennium Point, Birmingham
18th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Exeter

University of Exeter
22nd June 2024

Access the latest issue of Clinical Services Journal on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Clinical Services Journal app from your device's App store

Upcoming Events

Central Sterilising Club - Annual Scientific Meeting 2024

Crowne Plaza at Gerrard’s Cross
15th April 2024 – 16th April 2024

DECON UK 2024

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
17th April 2024

Infection Prevention & Control

National Conference Centre, Birmingham
23rd - 24th April 2024

Theatres & Decontamination Conference 2024

Coventry Building Society Arena
16th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Birmingham

Millennium Point, Birmingham
18th May 2024

The AfPP Roadshow - Exeter

University of Exeter
22nd June 2024

Access the latest issue of Clinical Services Journal on your mobile device together with an archive of back issues.

Download the FREE Clinical Services Journal app from your device's App store

Step Communications Ltd, Step House, North Farm Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 3DR
Tel: 01892 779999
www.step-communications.com
© 2024 Step Communications Ltd. Registered in England. Registration Number 3893025