Healthcare Infection
Volume 20 Number 2 2015
HI14030Surgical site infection in orthopaedic surgery: an audit of peri-operative practice at a tertiary centre
Surgical site infection is a dreaded complication in orthopaedic surgery. There are several evidence-based practices which have been demonstrated to decrease the incidence of surgical site infection. An audit was performed at a tertiary trauma centre to assess the compliance with these protocols.
HI14038Improving the central venous access devices maintenance process to reduce associated infections in paediatrics: evaluation of a practical, multi-faceted quality-improvement initiative
Central venous access devices (CVADs) are a necessary part of many acute and chronically ill children’s medical treatment, but they are frequently the source of life-threatening bloodstream infections. This quality-improvement initiative implemented and evaluated innovative strategies aimed to improve the management of CVAD within a tertiary paediatric facility. Within the initiative, a CVAD maintenance bundle and a dedicated CVAD trolley successfully reduced the rate of CVAD-related bloodstream infections and improved clinician compliance to evidence-based strategies.
HI14036Success in the South Pacific: a case study of successful diffusion of an infection prevention and control program
The severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak of 2003 had the effect of identifying a gap in infection prevention and control (IPC) practices in the Republic of Kiribati. This led to the successful adoption of a comprehensive IPC program which mirrored the process of diffusion of innovations in organisations. This process could be used as a model for implementation of IPC programs in other low and middle income countries.
HI14036 Abstract | HI14036 Full Text | HI14036PDF (143 KB) Open Access Article
HI14035Does our bundle stack up! Innovative nurse-led changes for preventing catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI)
Catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) accounts for 40% of all Australian healthcare-associated infections and up to 50% of indwelling urinary catheter placements are deemed to be unnecessary. This project aimed to develop and implement a coordinated nurse-led interprofessional approach in developing a CAUTI prevention care bundle that will reduce indwelling urinary catheter use and the incidence of CAUTI.
HI14035 Abstract | HI14035 Full Text | HI14035PDF (626 KB) Open Access Article
HI15003The emergence of community-acquired Clostridium difficile in an Australian hospital
This research suggests an emergence of C. difficile infection in the community, which had previously been considered a low-risk population. The aim of this work was to describe the epidemiology of C. difficile by linking laboratory-confirmed cases with inpatient hospitalisation and medical record reviews. These data suggest that infection with C. difficile demands greater attention, in particular in the community setting.
HI15006Infection prevention and control lessons learned from the management of the first suspected Ebola virus disease case admitted to a New Zealand hospital
This report describes the infection prevention and control involvement in the care of the first suspected Ebola virus disease (EVD) case to be admitted to a New Zealand hospital. Prior planning and detailed preparations enabled a smooth admission process and ongoing patient treatment. Prepared infection prevention and control procedures ensured the public and healthcare workers were not put at risk of acquiring EVD. Further refinement of personal protective equipment is required.
HI15006 Abstract | HI15006 Full Text | HI15006PDF (68 KB) Open Access Article