A follow-on question from this thread on taking blood cultures. If the patient has a gripper needle in a port and spikes a temperature, do you recommend removing the gripper needle (usually in-place for five days), replacing with a new gripper needle and then take the blood cultures or do you take the blood cultures through the old gripper needle…[Read more]

A follow-on question from this thread on taking blood cultures. If the patient has a gripper needle in a port and spikes a temperature, do you recommend removing the gripper needle (usually in-place for five days), replacing with a new gripper needle and then take the blood cultures or do you take the blood cultures through the old gripper needle…[Read more]

Hi Kay,
We have been using Manepa bedpan washers for a number of years and havent had any major issues. Usually when they cause problems it is due to user misuse rather than the machine. Are the bedpan washers fitted with detergent & descaler? This may be a reason for not cleaning the bedpans properly?

best wishes
Maureen

Hi Kay,
We have been using Manepa bedpan washers for a number of years and havent had any major issues. Usually when they cause problems it is due to user misuse rather than the machine. Are the bedpan washers fitted with detergent & descaler? This may be a reason for not cleaning the bedpans properly?

best wishes
Maureen

Hi Edith,
I have attached our policy for taking blood cultures from CVC lines. I hope it’s helpful
Kind regards,
Audrey

Hi Edith,
I have attached our policy for taking blood cultures from CVC lines. I hope it’s helpful
Kind regards,
Audrey

Thank you Alison and Fiona for your replies. Yes, it is a challenge. We do try to ascertain if the patient has been in another hospital prior to the endoscopy procedure and if yes, then schedule last on list. But this is not always working as recently we had three patients on the same day meeting this criteria and it caused delays with terminal…[Read more]

Hi Fiona,The HSE cleaning manual for acute hospitals do not appear to give specific instruction on the cleaning of hospital theatres. My initial response would be no. Operating theatres have 15 to 30 air changes per hour and a controlled air flow system – I would have thought surface washing followed by disinfecting with micro-fibre cloths and…[Read more]

Hi Ruth,
Many thanks for your reply.The primary filters are inspected and changed more frequently….months as opposed to years as with the HEPA filters.
best wishes
Maureen

Lenora
I think this is an area that will be nearly impossible to monitor in the acute sector .
Here in STMH all patients are contacted by phone pre endoscopy so the question can be asked however this will not be the case elsewhere. I know that in the event that we have any known infective case the room will be decontaminated . I think we must…[Read more]

Anyone have any comments on my question related to endoscopy and CRE?
regards
Lenora

Thanks Cathy & Anne for your replies,

My gut says to air sample as an extra marker of the quality of the ventilation system but I expect our microbiologist will also recommend that air sampling is not required.

many thanks
Maureen

Hi Fiona

We are the same as Cathy and Maureen. In Beacon we previously used the CX powder but changed practice several years ago.

regards
Lenora