In this post we’ll discuss some of the most common hospital acquired infections and explore the impact they can have on patient outcomes. What is a Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI or HCAI)? Healthcare associated infections (HAI, or HCAI) are infections staff and patients contract through spending time in healthcare settings such as GP surgeries, care […]
When it comes to infection, elderly people and other care home residents are high-risk groups. This means that, if they catch an infection, they’re more likely to experience severe symptoms. This isn’t the only reason why infections are a major concern in care homes. Infections can easily spread in any setting where people share facilities. […]
The healthcare sector is currently facing severe staffing shortages. This is contributing to a number of problems, including a huge backlog of care, and long ambulance waiting times. It goes without saying that staff shortages can have a negative impact on the quality-of-care hospitals and other healthcare settings can deliver. Yet there are some areas […]
Entonox – also referred to as N20, or “gas and air” – is a painkiller that’s used in multiple healthcare settings, including maternity departments. Though it provides effective short-term pain relief, there are some risks to using Entonox. Short Term Entonox Exposure Risks Short-term exposure to Entonox can cause dizziness, sleepiness, nausea, and hallucinations. Long […]
In this post we’ll explore each of these levels of decontamination in turn, discussing the procedures involved, and when they’d apply in a hospital or healthcare setting. What Are The Three Levels of Decontamination For Infection Control There are three levels of decontamination for infection control: Cleaning Sterilisation Disinfection Healthcare Equipment Risk Levels All healthcare […]
The UK is facing a shortage of dentists. According to one report, there were 21,544 dentists in the UK at the end of January 2022, compared to 23,733 at the end of 2020. The British Dental Association (BDA) found that 75% intend to reduce, or further reduce, their NHS commitment over the next 12 months […]
Surgical instruments are used exclusively in sterile spaces, and they’re specifically designed to penetrate a patient’s skin or mucous membrane. In this post we’ll discuss some best practice techniques for cleaning and sterilising surgical instruments. Benefits of Effective Cleaning and Sterilisation of Surgical Instruments Infection Prevention and Control As such, cleaning and sterilising surgical instruments […]
In this post we’ll discuss some of the most common communicable diseases in the UK, with some examples of how patients and practitioners can help prevent their spread. What is a Communicable Disease? A communicable disease is any disease that can be passed from person to person, or from an animal to a person. They […]
The air in hospitals and healthcare settings can contain numerous potentially hazardous substances. Hazardous Substances in Hospitals and Healthcare Common hazardous substances found in hospitals might include: Isoflurane Sevoflurane Chlorine Penthrox and Entonox VOCs Ethanol Nitrous oxide Inhalable and respirable dust Short-term exposure to these substances can cause a range of symptoms, including dizziness, nausea, […]
Everyone knows that breathing hazardous substances or polluted air is bad for your health. But few seem to realise just how serious air pollution can be, and just how many hazardous substances can linger in the air we breathe. Hazardous and Toxic Air Pollutants The air can be full of hazardous and toxic air pollutants […]