Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition

13Infection Control TribuneJune 4-June 10, 2012United Kingdom Edition 13 A study published in BMJ, which coincided with the World Health Organiza- tion SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands campaign on the 5 May 2012, reveals that the campaign played a significant role in reducing rates of some health- care associated infections in hospitals across England and Wales. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the impact of the Cleanyourhands cam- paign on rates of hospital procurement of alcohol hand rub and soap, report trends in se- lected healthcare associated in- fections, and investigate the as- sociation between infections and procurement. Bedside alcohol hand rub, materials promoting hand hy- giene and institutional engage- ment, regular hand hygiene audits, were installed from 1 December 2004 and rates for each trust of hospital pro- curement of alcohol hand rub and liquid soap and levels of Staphylococcus aureus bac- teraemia (meticillin resistant (MRSA) and meticillin sensi- tive (MSSA)) and Clostridium difficile infection for each trust was obtained. The results found that com- bined procurement of soap and alcohol hand rub tripled from 21.8 to 59.8 mL per patient bed day; procurement rose in asso- ciation with each phase of the campaign. Rates fell for MRSA bacteraemia (1.88 to 0.91 cases per 10,000 bed days) and C dif- ficile infection (16.75 to 9.49 cases); however, MSSA bacte- raemia rates did not fall. Increased procurement of alcohol hand rub was indepen- dently associated with reduced MRSA bacteraemia, but only in the last four quarters of the study and the publication of the Health Act 2006 was strongly associated with reduced MRSA bacteraemia. The study concluded that the Cleanyourhands campaign was associated with sustained increases in hospital procure- ment of alcohol rub and soap, which the results suggest has an important role in reducing rates of some healthcare associated infections. National interven- tions for infection control un- dertaken in the context of a high profile political drive can reduce selected healthcare as- sociated infections. The study can be found at www.bmj.com/content/344/ bmj.e3005 The WHO’s SAVE LIVES: Clean Your Hands campaign is part of a worldwide effort to improve hand hygiene amongst healthcare workers, in order to prevent infections, such as Staphylococcus aureus infec- tion, meticillin resistant (MRSA) and meticillin sensitive (MSSA) and Clostridium difficile that are often life threatening. DT Infection control Dental education Ben Adriaanse interviews Dr Hans de Soet pages 19-20 How hand hygiene impacts hospital infection rates Infection control Clean and safe Dr Zimmerman discusses the meaning of sterile pages 16-18 Infection Control Tribune Protein contamination Peter Bacon discusses surface cleaning Infection control page 21 N early 1,000 patients at a dental practice in Ab- erdeen have been con- tacted by NHS Grampian due to concerns regarding their infec- tion control procedures. According to a report, the pa- tients at the Bridge of Don Den- tal Clinic and Research Centre in Silverburn Crescent, Bridge of Don have been sent advisory letters after an inspection in March found that infection con- trol procedures at the practice, including those for instrument decontamination, did not meet national standards. A spokeswoman for NHS Grampian said in a report: “The letter reassures patients that the risk of infection is low. How- ever, any patient who remains concerned can contact NHS 24 helpline 08000 28 28 16 between 8.00am and 10.00pm where they can get further advice about health concerns including for blood borne viruses such as hepatitis B, C and HIV. “Letters have been sent to patients registered at the in- dependent practice between January, when it opened, and 10 April, the date of a follow up inspection which found infec- tion control procedures were satisfactory and now followed national standards.” She added: “Dr Xenofon Gk- ouzis is the only dentist now working in the practice. He is registered in the UK with the General Dental Council and is authorised to treat NHS patients in Grampian. This incident is not related to him.” Dr Maria Rossi, consult- ant in Public Health Medicine at NHS Grampian, said: “We are working closely with local and national experts and have concluded there is a low risk of infection to patients. As our priority is always for the safety and welfare of patients, we felt it was important to write to in- form them of this incident. The letter emphasises that no action is required by the patient, but tests will be available if anyone remains concerned having read the letter and after calling the helpline.” Ray Watkins is Consultant in Dental Public Health at NHS Grampian. He added: “While this is an independent practice, it is expected to comply with national infection control stand- ards. We are unable to confirm that these standards were ad- hered to prior to April 10 when at a follow-up visit, procedures were found to be satisfactory. “The practice has co-op- erated with the investiga- tion, and will continue to be monitored.” DT Patients contacted over infection concerns at dental practice Infection control Beyond HTM 01-05 Amanda Atkin explains clinical governance pages 14-15