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 […]
Hazardous chemicals are common in healthcare settings. Short- and long-term exposure to these chemicals can pose health risks to staff, patients, visitors, contractors, and other members of the public. In this post we’ll list some of the common chemical hazards in hospitals, and discuss ways you can prevent or reduce exposure levels in your hospital […]
The NHS is facing chronic staff shortages. In this post we’ll discuss some of the problematic areas, and explore some of the root causes for the shortages. Which Roles are Facing Shortages? Nurses Before the 2020 pandemic, the UK was already facing a shortage of around 50,000 nurses. In December 2020, the Health Foundation said […]
What is Bioburden? Bioburden refers to the number of bacteria or fungal cells living on an unsterilised surface. The term is usually used in reference to medical devices and equipment. A device’s bioburden level will vary depending on how it was manufactured, including the amount of handling that took place during manufacturing. The size and […]
Certain types of viral and bacterial infection are common in care homes, and infection is a major concern for care home patients. The Department of Health and Social Care and Public Health England issued guidance on infection prevention and control in care homes. This guidance is available as a comprehensive 102-page document, or as a […]