CONTENTS
1. Latest from the IFIC Special Interest Group – Chairman’s report
2. Web resource on IPC in Home Healthcare
3. New materials on IPC in Home Healthcare
1. Latest from SIG: Chairman’s Report – Sally Bloomfield
In March I attended the International Federation on Infection Control (IFIC) 2014 conference in Malta to give a presentation on the “safety of linens and clothing”, based on the 2013 IFH report on effective laundering of clothing and linens.[i],[ii] The findings of the report are equally relevant to both healthcare and non-healthcare settings.
Throughout, I was struck by the number of times that Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) at home was discussed, in different sessions and different contexts. I used the conference to network with delegates, both to assess ongoing attitudes to IPC in non-healthcare settings, and to get a feel for where healthcare professionals go to get the support they need on this issue. I was encouraged by the number of delegates who told me they already use the International Scientific Forum on Home Hygiene website (www.ifh-homehygiene.org). Its popularity confirms that the new site area on IPC in home healthcare is very relevant as a source of support materials.
Although our resources mean that the IFIC Special Interest Group (SIG) on Infection Control in home and everyday life settings (http://www.theific.org/sigs6.asp) has to remain a “virtual” group communicating via the internet, I believe that the SIG on IPC in home healthcare is important – particularly to smaller and developing countries who do not have resources to produce their own materials related to this issue. The IFIC SIG is unique; it is the only resource specifically focussed on IPC in the home and community. The partnership of IFH with IFIC is vital because it enables us to reach a broader range of healthcare professionals in communities outside Europe and the US.
Do you have relevant materials (reviews, factsheets, teaching/self-learning resources, patient support materials) that you would be willing to share with the global IPC community? Please support us in building this resource – and help your colleagues – by sending them to us so we can place them on this site.
The new IFH/IFIC SIG web area (http://www.ifh-homehygiene.org/infection-prevention-and-control-home-healthcare) was launched In March 2014, to coincide with the Malta conference. Its aim is to provide a central resource where healthcare professionals, community workers, etc, can browse, find information, and exchange knowledge on infection prevention and control issues related to healthcare delivered at home. It gives access to guidelines, training resources, public advice sheets, etc, on infection prevention in home and everyday life settings. We also see it as a means to exchange and share resources on infection prevention at home.
Since the site was launched in March, we have continued to add new materials as they have become available. Of the six main areas of the IFH website, the area devoted to infection prevention and control in home healthcare has already become the third most visited. It receives 20% of the total “browsing” traffic to the site.
3. New materials on IPC in Home Healthcare
IFH training teaching/self-learning resource on home hygiene
Our key teaching/self-learning resource, the “training resource on home hygiene” originally prepared in collaboration with UK IPS has been recently translated into Hindi and is available at the new web area. This means the resource is now available to download in English, Russian, Urdu, Bengali and Hindi.
Preventing opportunistic infections in HIV (Beyond the Basics)
This is a website which is a centralised source of information on the types of infection associated with HIV infection. It also provides access to information materials which can be given to patients. http://www.ifh-homehygiene.org/webpage/preventing-opportunistic-infections-hiv-beyond-basics
Food safety for people with HIV/AIDS
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Food and Drug Administration have prepared a booklet that provides practical guidance on how to reduce risks of foodborne illness for those infected with HIV. http://www.ifh-homehygiene.org/care-guideline-hygiene-advice-sheet/food-safety-people-hivaids
Guidance on the management of waste arising from health, social and personal care
This guidance has been written by the UK Royal College of Nursing to support healthcare assistants, nurses and midwives with the management of waste generated as part of their role, regardless of the practice setting where they provide care (i.e. hospital or community). It outlines how waste should be classified, segregated and stored prior to collection and treatment or disposal.
It covers ‘mixed municipal waste’ (i.e. items similar to those produced in the home, such as food, packaging and newspapers). This is the most common type of waste produced in healthcare facilities despite not being specifically related to healthcare. It also covers hazardous waste produced during the provision of healthcare. It includes a section specifically focused on waste management in community (including home) care. http://www.ifh-homehygiene.org/factsheet/guidance-management-waste-arising-health-social-and-personal-care
Ebola Virus Disease: what you should know and how to manage the risks
This briefing material has been produced for those who work in healthcare, the media, those responsible for giving guidance on Ebola to the general public, and others who are looking for some background understanding of issues and risks related to it. The material provides information on symptoms, transmission and how to manage the risk of infection, with links to further information and tools. http://www.ifh-homehygiene.org/factsheet/ebola-virus-disease-what-you-should-know-and-how-manage-risks
Rapid advice note on home care for patients with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection presenting with mild symptoms and management of contacts
WHO has developed this rapid advice note to meet the urgent need for recommendations on safe home care for patients with Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection presenting with mild symptoms. It also covers public health measures related to management of asymptomatic contacts. http://www.ifh-homehygiene.org/training/rapid-advice-note-home-care-patients-middle-east-respiratory-syndrome-coronavirus-mers-cov
Infection prevention and control during health care for probable or confirmed cases of novel coronavirus (nCoV) infection
WHO has developed this interim guidance to meet the urgent need for up-to-date information and evidence-based recommendations for the safe care of patients with probable or confirmed novel coronavirus (nCoV) infection. http://www.ifh-homehygiene.org/training/infection-prevention-and-control-during-health-care-probable-or-confirmed-cases-novel
[i] Effectiveness of laundering processes used in domestic (home) settings (2013) International Scientific Forum on Home Hygiene. http://www.ifh-homehygiene.org/review/effectiveness-laundering-processes-used-domestic-home-settings-2013
[ii] Clothing, household linens, laundry and hygiene http://www.ifh-homehygiene.org/factsheet/clothing-household-linens-laundry-and-home-hygiene
