Changes in infection prevention and control (IPC) practices resulting from technical innovation can have a major impact on healthcare quality. This discussion paper seeks to introduce a conceptual framework that will make it possible to understand the dynamics involved in implementing practice change. It identifies how new technology integration can translate into different responses to change and into the practices of a network of actors.

This study evaluated ATP bioluminescence’s efficacy in determining microbial contamination on 17 surfaces from the healthcare environment, and in determining if the ATP measurements of Acinetobacter baumannii, Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis, Mycobacterium smegmatis, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus corresponded to quantitative microbiology. A strong positive correlation was discovered for each of the six organisms.

Good hand hygiene compliance can prevent healthcare-associated infections and when healthcare workers are aware of being observed, adherence may improve further. A prospective observational study carried out to determine the association between advertised hand hygiene auditing and compliance rates revealed an increment of 5.6% in the overall compliance rate.

Despite recommendations, a significant proportion of hospital staff is not vaccinated against influenza and there have been calls to make this compulsory. We argue that this is poor policy – it does not automatically lead to better vaccination rates, is difficult to enforce and good vaccination rates are possible without compelling staff to be vaccinated. Further, even complete vaccination of staff may not achieve the ultimate goal of protecting patients from viral infections because the vaccine is only partially effective.