@alisonmaguinness
Active 2 days, 6 hours agoAlison Maguinness
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How coincidental !!
I’ve just received the following link from IEHG for the IPC guideline document
https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/a057e-infection-prevention-and-control-ipc/A
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Lenora
Whilst you purchased your own equipment for fit testing it may be useful to undertake an independent assessment.
We used http://www.fittest.ie , all staff passed fit testing using one of several types of FFP2 or 3. In the event that a staff member failed the standard mask, a box of the mask appropriate for them was put aside.
Not sure if this helps Alison, SMH
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Lenora
The difficulty is the different types of gowns and aprons that have been supplied especially directly from the Far East, these are loosely boxed so the trolley outside the door had had to be used, to avoid the box on the floor. Previously our long sleeve gowns came packed singularly within a holder that can be wall mounted.
The rolls of plastic aprons don’t seen to be available now either so that has also caused clutter.
It appears that the need for appropriate PPE to protect staff, out weighed other issues which I can understand -
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Lenora
Regarding the HIQA assessments which I understand have already started, I am concerned that HIQA are undertaking these in person.
With the increasing numbers throughout the country and specifically in Dublin I am concerned about assessors moving from one site to another. Visitors have been stopped in the majority of hospital so why are HIQA coming onsite. Looking at the assessment tool including documents required it seems that this could be completed virtually. A number of other mandatory assessments including INAB are done virtually.
I know HIQA have undertaken to complete COVID questionnaires and wear appropriate PPE however I don’t think its appropriate and in fact detrimental to the healthcare institution. I brought this up at the IEHG HCAI group teleconference yesterday.
What does everyone else think and should we as a group make some response to HIQA
Sorry for the rant ….Alison -
Lenora
The 3 hour reprocessing rule definitely applies to TOE probes
and also to all semi-critical and critical US probes that are processed
using Tristel Trio or Trophon. All are only HLD.
As well as the above, endoscopes that are not put into a drying cabinet
eg ENT Naso-endoscopes should be reprocessed using the 3hour rule.Kind regards
Alison -
Sabrina
I think the first question to ask is what are the non invasive probes used for?
– Are you talking about Sonosite’s for placement of CVC’s in ICU/ OT or IR ?
– Is the probe being used on intact or non intact skin ?
– Is there likely to be contact with body fluids?
According to the HSE guidelines if the probe is used for non intact skin or exposed to body fluids HLD should be used eg Tristel Trio wipes / Trophon.
If the probe is in contact with intact skin, in the case of abdominal US probes Tristel Duo is sufficient. It makes no difference if a sheath is used or not.
I know that it’s hard to ensure compliance with the 3 step process of decontamination. However the audit of the actual process and record keeping in the log book is something that HIQA will monitor.
-Do you return the audit results to the medical staff themselves as well as the ICU managers? What about the lead intensivist – send them the results.
-You could also publish the results on a noticeboard in ICU and do a comparison of teams !! A league table often gets them panicking !!
-Add it to the MDRO surveillance data given to ICU.
-Is there an MDT meeting in ICU that you could attend to discuss the results and consequences? If senior managers attend all the better. No one like the prospect of letting the patient or the side down with HIQA especially management !!
-Maybe you could discuss with your Decontamination lead or Risk manager.
Not sure if my “long” answer helps or not, Good luck
Alison, CNM3 STMH -
Noeleen
Before you do anything you need to check
. What procedures are being done in this room (intraocular injections etc)
Make sure you futureproof the room for any changes to procedures
. Guidance for procedure rooms HBN 26; HBN 10-02,
Health Building Note 11-01: Facilities for primary and community care services
. 12-15/ac/hr with positive pressure
. Scrub sink
. sealed ceilings, windows etc
. Trolley/ op table/ chair etcAlso have a look at this article:
J Hosp Infect. 2012 Feb;80(2):103-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2011.11.010. Epub 2011 Dec 20.
Guidelines on the facilities required for minor surgical procedures and minimal access interventions.
Humphreys H1, Coia JE, Stacey A, Thomas M, Belli AM, Hoffman P, Jenks P, Mackintosh CA; Healthcare Infection SocietySorry for the disjointed reply, I was just throwing down my thoughts
Alison
CNM3 IPC STMH -
Follow on to CPE Expert group feedback
This is the text of one of the articles regarding funding for CPE“Hospitals get €20m a year to battle lethal superbug as threat to patient’s increases
• Irish Independent
• 14 Jan 2019
• Eilish O ‘Regan
Bug: CPE lives in the gut and is dangerous if it gets into the blood
HOSPITALS are to be given €20m a year to try to control a lethal superbug which is posing a growing threat for patients.
The three-year plan is targeted at CPE, which is difficult to treat because it is resistant to so many antibiotics.CPE lives harmlessly in the gut but can be dangerous if it gets into the bloodstream – more than half of all patients who develop infections with CPE die directly or indirectly as a result. It poses a particular risk to people with weakened immune systems and the elderly.
The bug was declared a public health emergency in October 2017 after cases grew to 433.About 5,000 former hospital patients had to be informed last year they have shared space with someone who carried a potentially deadly superbug.
CPE was first reported here in 2009 and the numbers have increased in recent years.
The three-year plan will consist of four specific actions, including more screening in hospitals and deficits in infection prevention and control. It also aims to improve infrastructure deficits that make it difficult for hospitals to isolate patients to prevent spread.Health Minister Simon Harris said: “CPE continues to be a significant threat to the Irish health system and if not contained will have significant implications for health care delivery.”
A recent inspection report from HIQA blamed insufficient infection control and poor infrastructure for an outbreak of the infection involving 16 patients at Mercy Hospital in Cork.
The poor infrastructure included a lack of single rooms with en-suite facilities. The hospital had stepped up screening and surveillance since, which HIQA commended.
The hospital said it wanted to assure the public the problem was being tackled. It plans to build 12 new single rooms. -
Contact details for individualized isolation stations.
MacMedical will make up to your own requirements/ specifications
Ian McDonald
MacMedical
Galway Technology Centre, Mervue Business Park,Galway
087 773 0096/ 091 704847 /
E-Mail – ian@macmedgrp.com -
Contact details for individualized isolation stations.
MacMedical will make up to your own requirements/ specifications
Ian McDonald
MacMedical
Galway Technology Centre, Mervue Business Park,Galway
087 773 0096/ 091 704847 /
E-Mail – ian@macmedgrp.com -
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