HAI e-bulletin – November 2015
E-bulletin sign up now made easier
Any colleagues interested in receiving the bi-monthly e-bulletin can now sign up using the facility
on the HAI webpage. More information at http://ow.ly/CQ88J
Sharing and learning from experiences
Patients requiring haemodialysis are at serious risk of blood stream infections due to frequent
cannulation of arteriovenous fistula/grafts. NES HAI Team working with NHS Greater Clyde and
Clyde and NES Psychology colleagues undertook a pilot to investigate the key influences on the
practice of aseptic technique. An innovative approach integrating health psychology, human
factors and practice observation audit was used to investigate healthcare staff adherence to a
specific set of aseptic technique steps to improve patient safety. The findings are outlined in
posters available on the NES website
Preventing Infection in Care DVD/CD Rom Resource
The Preventing Infection in Care resource was developed and launched in 2011. The aim was to
improve the knowledge and skills of staff working in care homes by providing an education
programme on infection prevention and control. The resource is currently under review with the
aim of updating the content to align with the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual and
to make it more relevant to different care settings including residential housing and day care
services for adults. The work should be completed by mid February 2016. Further information
about the resource is available on the NES website.
e-learning programme now live
The e-learning programme has been designed to support the education of all staff who is involved
in some way with the decontamination of reusable medical devices within local or endoscopy units.
This programme replaces the NHSScotland Decontamination Training Programmes for local and
endoscopy units. Access to those programmes has now ceased and the new programme is
available for self registration on learnPro NHS and Community portals. If you work in a health
board and have difficulty in accessing the programme please contact your local learnPro coordinator to ensure that the programme is accessible for your health board. See NES website for
further information.
Help make the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual event better
Later this year, Health Protection Scotland (HPS) will be launching a new standalone website for
the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM). Moving to a web-based version
opens up new possibilities for examples and illustrations showing best practice - this is where you
can get involved. HPS would like to include short video clips, shot in an actual health or social
care setting. The clips will then be used alongside the description and credited to you, your team
and hospital, care home or clinic etc. It’s your chance to show Scotland the correct way to carry out
a procedure using real staff in a real setting. The films don’t have to be ultra-high quality; you can
shoot them on your iPhone or Android smart phone. The usual rules regarding patient
confidentiality and dignity do, of course, still apply, so remember to take that into account. HPS can
work with most file formats, so get creative and email the result to:
NSS.HPSInfectionControl@nhs.net.
HAI Team looking for a reviewer for the Microbiology module
As part of the educational governance provision, every resource is reviewed on a rolling
programme to ensure that it is contemporary and fit for purpose. The Microbiology module is due
for review and the HAI team are looking for a reviewer. In light with the review cycle, the module
now requires to be reviewed and updated to ensure that the content reflects current practice and
guidelines and to take account of user feedback. The module is aimed at registered nurses at
post-graduate level and covers cell structure, identification of micro-organisms, micro-organism’s
behaviour and normal flora. If you would be interested in taking on this piece of work please
contact Lesley.Armstrong@nes.scot.nhs.uk for more information.
Skin Tears: Prevention, Assessment and Management
The workbook (interactive downloadable pdf and print copy) is once again available following a
brief withdrawal to address some identified errors in the content. If you currently have copies of the
workbook we would recommend that you now change to using Version 2 which is available from
the NES website and on request.
NEW: Effective Record Keeping in Practice
You may be interested in a new learning resource around record keeping which was developed as
a result of requests from users and links to reports of inadequate record keeping practice in health
board highlighted through inspection reports and findings from the Vale of Leven inquiry. The
resource contains individual and team-based learning activities. Full details available on the
Effective Practitioner website.
Patient Safety and Clinical Skills
Find out more about patient safety workshops and educational resources to support healthcare
staff improve patient safety – see NES website and keep up-to-date with the latest from the Clinical
Skills Managed Education Network (CSMEN) via their website and quarterly newsletters – see
NES website.
HAI Team
Dr Gill Walker, Programme Director
Sarah Freeman, Educational Projects Manager
Dr Sabine Nolte, Educational Projects Manager
Christine Young, Infection Control Nurse
Elaine Boyd, Practice Education Co-ordinator
Lucie Page, Practice Education Co-ordinator
Lesley Armstrong, Project Co-ordinator
Elaine Thompson, Project Administrator