Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-g8jcs Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-25T18:39:05.425Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

The irreducible minimum in cross-infection control and isolation nursing

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 May 2009

W. Howard Hughes
W. Howard Hughes
Affiliation:
Bacteriology Department, Wright–Fleming Institute, St Mary's Hospital Medical School, London, W. 2
Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

This is a survey of 10 years experience in trying to find out how to control hospital sepsis economically. We appear to have obtained reasonable improvements in hygiene by applying the teaching which has been given to students since the time of Leonard Colebrook. For our investigations we used only routine methods.

The order of importance of the factors in reducing cross-infection would appear to be: (1) single rooms for all septic cases and for those requiring protective isolation; (2) a sister supported in complete authority over anyone entering the unit; (3) a simple, inflexible drill to introduce an impermeable layer between the nurse or doctor and the patient—gloves and apron provide this; (4) overshoes and barrier mats; (5) hygienic disposal of linen; (6) an efficient wet dusting and floor cleaning system. Anything beyond this must be justified by saving of nursing time or some factor other than prevention of infection.

Type
Research Article
Information
Journal of Hygiene , Volume 68 , Issue 3 , September 1970 , pp. 379 - 392
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1970

References

REFERENCES

Ayliffe, G. A. J., Collins, B. J., Lowbury, E. J. L., Babb, J. R. & Lilley, H. A. (1967). Ward floors and other surfaces as reservoirs of hospital infection. Journal of Hygiene 65 515–35.Google ScholarPubMed
Bate, J. G. & James, U. (1958). Salmonella typhimurium infection dust-borne in a children's ward. Lancet ii, 713–15.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Colquitt, H. R. & Maurer, I. M. (1969). Hygienic mop maintenance in hospital. British Hospital Journal and Social Services Review,Google Scholar
Davies, R. R. & Noble, W. C. (1962). Dispersal of bacteria on desquamated skin. Lancet ii, 1295–7.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hare, R. (1964). Transmission of respiratory infections. Proceedings of the Royal Society of Medicine 57, 221.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Jacobs, S. I. & Willis, A. T. (1963). Neomycin resistance in newly recognised strains of S. aureus. Lancet ii, 460.Google Scholar
Leifson, E. (1962). The bacterial flora of stored and distilled water. International Bulletin of Bacterial Nomenclature and Taxonomy 12, 133–53.Google Scholar
Leigh, D. A. & Whittaker, C. (1967). Disinfectants and plastic mop heads. British Medical Journal ii, 435.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lidwell, O. M., Noble, W. C. & Dolphin, G. W. (1959). The use of radiation to estimate the number of micro-organisms in airborne particles. Journal of Hygiene 57, 299–308.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Offices And Factories Act 1963.Google Scholar
Hospital Building Note No. 4.Google Scholar
Qute, P. G., Collin, M. & Cardle, J. B. (1960).Neomycin-resistantstaphylococci. Lancet ii, 124–6.Google Scholar
Temple, E. I. & Blackburn, E. A. (1963). A newly recognised strain of Staphylococcus aureus associated with epidemics in six hospitals. Lancet i, 581–3.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Williams, R. E. O. & Harding, L. (1969). Studies of the effectiveness of an isolation ward. Journal of Hygiene 67, 649–58.Google ScholarPubMed
Williams, R. E. O., Blowers, R., Garrod, L. P. & Shooter, R. A. (1966). Hospital Infection, Causes and Prevention, 2nd ed.London; Lloyd-Luke.Google Scholar
Film Strips and Loops. I: Hospital Cleaning. 1, 2: Daily cleaning in the ward area. 3: Cleaning of baths. 4: Cleaning of basins. 5: Cleaning of toilets. 6, 7: Washing up. Produced by Camera Talks Ltd. II: Barrier Nursing, with three loops.Google Scholar