Prevention Of Cross Infection;

A guide for healthcare professionals and the public;

C-diff is termed by the Department of Health (2006) as a health care associated infection (HCAI) which means an infection which has been caused by treatment received whilst in a national health service clinical setting {Lyall (2007)}. The code of practice contains guidelines on how an NHS trust can prevent and control the spread of HCIA's. These are explained below and the designer of this website has applied learning from practice to interpret these guidelines into nursing interventions;

    The Code Explained; How can HC professionals do that? The Code Explained; How can HC professionals do that?
    Protecting patients with good clinical practice by reducing the risk of cross infection by wearing disposable gloves/aprons and removing before attending other patients. Hand washing plus application of alcohol gel (to kill c-diff spores). Provide information to those visiting and coming into contact with infection. By displaying the correct notices for those working within health care setting & advising visitors to wash hands.
    Prompt identification, treatment and isolation of infection. By sending samples to microbiology if symptoms present. Referral to doctors for treatment and containing infection by isolation and barrier nursing. Ensure that information regarding nature of infection is transferred with patient. By maintaining accurate documentation and ensuring the patients details are handed over to other healthcare organisations.
    Protecting vulnerable patients. By providing a risk assessment tool to identify the patients risk of developing an infection (see risk assessment tool page). Provide isolation facilities within the trust. By making patients with an HCIA a priority for side rooms to prevent the spread of infection.
    Provide and maintain a suitable clinical environment. By ensuring all equipment coming into contact with infection is decontaminated or is single use and disposed of according to local policies. To adhere to local policies Read your trusts policy and guidance with regards to HCIA's and adhere to them.