Surgical site infection (SSI) frustrates me. When we undertake elective procedures, we have much more control over processes and patient flows than in most other aspects of hospital life. We have a range of evidence-based interventions, and we know that if we get them right, the risk of SSI is reduced hugely. And yet, preventable SSIs continue to occur because we don’t always get the bundle of interventions implemented. And so patients suffer harm, our theatres and precious beds have to do subsequent procedures related to SSI, costs ramp up, and we have to use more and more antibiotics. I gave a webinar last week providing an overview of the bundle of interventions at our disposal to reduce the risk of SSI.
Month: July 2023
Having a nose into nasal photodisinfection
When’s the last time you picked your nose? If you’re an adult, it was very probably earlier today – the average adult picks their nose around 4 times per day (eew). And that’s picking – touching is much more frequent: on average, we touch our eyes, mouth, nose, or chin a staggering 20 times per hour (with some estimates even higher). We’ve known for a while that nasal decolonisation is a vital component in reducing the risk of staphylococcal infection. But using mupirocin as the nasal decolonisation agent has important limitations in terms of spectrum of microbiological efficacy, compliance, and antibiotic resistance. I’ve recently come across a newer technology for nasal decolonisation: nasal photodisinfection. It’s been around for ages, but hasn’t really been adopted widely. This blog provides an overview of three studies that suggest nasal photodisinfection may have a role in reducing the risk of SSI, and in preventing and treating SARS-CoV-2 infection.
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Reflections on Infection Prevention and Control 