1. Short summary / abstract
The document aims to provide clear and practical guidelines for infection control practitioners and other healthcare staff working in operating theatres.
The Hospital Infection Society set up a working group divided into three sub-groups: -
Sub-group 1. - To review the scientific and other evidence for current infection control practices in operating theatres and make recommendations on which practices demonstrate best practice or conversely are of little perceived benefit.
Sub-group 2. - To produce rational, feasible and applicable guidelines for environmental monitoring
Sub-group 3. - To consider optimal theatre facilities
This report is from group 1. It was widely circulated as a draft document to professional groups and organisations for comments early in 2001, revised to incorporate appropriate feedback and then posted on the HIS website.
The report reviews infection control policy in theatres (universal or standard precautions), theatre rituals in areas of patient preparation, rituals at the operating table, rituals perpetuated by theatre staff and departmental rituals.
The working party has reviewed the scientific evidence of many of the rituals practised and where available indicated the strength of that evidence, categorised according to those used by epic-developing national evidence based guidelines for preventing healthcare associated infection.
Recommendations are made but should be followed against a background that maintains safety of both the patient and staff and recognises the importance of care, concern and discipline in the operating theatre.
2. What question is the document addressing?
The document aims to provide clear and practical guidelines for infection control practitioners and other healthcare staff working in operating theatres. It reviews the evidence available to justify many of the rituals practised in operating theatres at present.
3. Type of study
Review, best practice
4. Methods valid & appropriate?
Yes
Comments:
The report from Group 2 and Group 3 can also be viewed on the HIS website (see references)
5. Results / recommendations reliable?
Yes: new research and technology may have superseded some of the recommendations and an update is probably required.
6. Any major problems and biases?
New research and technology may have superseded some of the recommendations and an update is now probably required as document published in 2001.
7. Any other important / relevant studies which confirm or contradict?
Hospital Infection Society. Microbiological Commissioning and Monitoring of Operating Theatre Suites. A Report of a Working Party of the Hospital Infection Society (2001)http://www.his.org.uk/
2. NHS Estates. Health Facilities Note (HFN) 30 – Infection Control in the Built Environment: design and planning. Knowledge and Information Portal http://www.dh.gov.uk/PolicyAndGuidance/OrganisationPolicy/EstatesAndFacilitiesManagement/EstatesAndFacilitiesArticle/fs/en?CONTENT_ID=4118956&chk=gz0VFG
3. Department of Health. Winning Ways: Working together to reduce healthcare associated infection in England (2003) ) http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/06/46/89/04064689.pdf
4. The epic project: developing national evidence-based guidelines for preventing healthcare associated infections. Phase 1: guidelines for preventing hospital acquired infections. Journal of Hospital infection (2001) 47 (Supplement): S1-S82 http://www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/04/07/73/68/04077368.PDF
5. Infection Control: prevention of healthcare-associated infection in Primary and Community Care. Pellow CM, Pratt RJ, Harper P, Loveday HP, Robinson N, Jones S, MacRae ED, and the Guideline Development Group. (2003). Journal of Hospital Infection 55(Supplement 2): 1-127
http://www.nice.org.uk/pdf/CG2fullguidelineinfectioncontrol.pdf
6. The epic project. Updating the evidence-base for national evidence-based guidelines for preventing healthcare-associated infections in the NHS hospitals in England: a report with recommendations. Pellow CM, Pratt RJ, Loveday HP, Robinson N, Jones SRLJ> British Journal of Infection Control, December 2004, Vol 5 No 6
http://www.epic.tvu.ac.uk/PDFFiles/epic%201/epic%20update.pdf
7. National Patient Safety Agency “cleanyourhands” campaign http://www.npsa.nhs.uk/cleanyourhands
8. Keywords
operating theatre rituals infection control air sampling environment
Reviewer's Details:
| Name: | Sue Wiseman |
| Post: | Nurse Consultant –Infection Control, DH |
Affiliations
(Society / Organisation / Advisory Committee): | Member Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens
Health Protection Adviser Royal College of Nursing P/T
Member Infection Control Nurses Association |
*** Note: These are the views of a professional expert rather than an official statement from his or her society, organisation or advisory committee.