An update to the guideline on prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections (HCAI’s) in primary and community care has been published by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).
The update addresses areas in which clinical practice for preventing HCAI in primary and community care has changed, where the risk of HCAI is greatest or where the evidence has changed. The focus was subject to public consultation in accordance with NICE processes. Many of the 2003 guidelines recommendations have now become mandatory because of the potentially severe impact HCAI’s can have on patients and carers. The update is aimed at a wide audience in primary and community care including general practice clinics, health centres and care homes, ambulance service, the patient’s own home and other community settings. At its core, the guideline emphasises the importance of educating everybody involved in providing care on the standard principles of infection prevention and control. The update makes recommendations on standard principles of hand decontamination; use of personal protective equipment and clothing; safe use and disposals of sharps; waste disposal; use of long-term urinary catheters; enteral feeding; and vascular access devices.
