Publications and resources

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Latest publications 

The Management of Diarrhoea in Adults. RCN Guidance for nursing staff - March 2013. Supported by an unrestricted educational grant from Danone Health Affairs.

Diarrhoea is a common and debilitating condition. Patients often feel embarrassed and find their ability to lead normal active lives severely affected, which can result in isolation and depression for those with chronic conditions. The impact of managing diarrhoea, whether acute or chronic, can also be felt by all those supporting or caring for patients, including family, carers or members of the health care team. This guidance has been developed with patients and health care workers as a holistic document to recognise and support the management of acute diarrhoea in adult patients, regardless of the care setting. It can be used in its entirety, or for specific sections as required and may be useful in supporting the development of health care organisations, local policies and procedures and should be used to complement local policies on the management of diarrhoea. Download the Management of Diarrhoea in Adults: RCN Guidance for Nursing Staff (PDF 946.2KB)

The Role of the Link Nurse in Infection Prevention and Control - Developing a Link Nurse Framework - October 2012

This document forms part of a series of resources being developed to support link nurses (LNs), specialist teams and managers who may be using or considering a LN system and specifically outlines the benefits of implementing LN roles for IPC. It describes the development of a role framework and associated competences in this area, based on the contribution of specialist infection prevention and control nurses and practising/aspiring LNs. Although this work has originated from, and uses IPC examples, the priciples of this work are relevant to LNs working in all specialities. Download the Role of the Link Nurse in Infection Prevention and Control document (PDF 231KB)

Infection Prevention and Control Commissioning Toolkit - October 2012

A joint publication with the Infection Prevention Society (IPS). Reducing health care associated infections (HCAIs) remains high on the Government's safety and quality agenda and in the general public's expectations of quality care. Since 2008, there has been a legal requirement on all NHS organisations to implement the Health and Social Care Act (2008) and the Code of Practice for the NHS on the prevention and control of HCAIs.

This toolkit, developed collaboratively with the IPS, provides information for professionals in England involved in the commissioning of infection prevention and control services and forms the basis of a HCAI reduction plan for emerging commissioning organisations. It also suggests indicators to support performance management and assurance against provider contracts. Download the Infection Prevention and Control Commissioning Toolkit (PDF 627KB).

Rolling the Dice: Report from the Infection Prevention and Control Survey 2012 - October 2012

The RCN and Infection Prevention Society (IPS) have worked together with the Patients' Association on the survey and report 'Rolling the Dice' which highlights the views of specialist infection prevention and link practitioners. It describes both views of the achievements in infection control over the last five years and concerns over risks to its continuing success. Download Rolling the Dice: Could IPC be a victim of its own success (PDF 1.40MB)

Tools of the trade - May 2012

The protection of health care workers' hands is crucial for both their own protection and the protection of patients. It lies at the heart of a holistic approach to infection prevention, occupational health and safety policies and strategies.

This guidance focuses on contact dermatitis - the main work-related skin condition affecting health professionals' hands, glove use, infection prevention and control practice and the importance of appropriate glove use.

The glove use resource comprises two documents: a short Tools of the Trade Quick Reference Guide (PDF 569KB) and the full version, Tools of the Trade (PDF 1.56MB)  covering the content in more detail, including case studies and appendices to support readers with further information.

Essential Practice for Infection Prevention and Control. Guidance for Nursing Staff - January 2012

The prevention and management of infection is the responsibility of all staff working in health and social care, and is an integral element of patient safety programmes. Health and social care settings can provide a challenging environment in which to manage risks associated with the transfer of micro-organisms from patient to patient or between the environment, equipment, staff and patients. Understanding how infections occur and how different micro-organisms act and spread is crucial to preventing infections.

This publication provides important information and guidance on the essential principles of infection prevention and control and highlights why other issues, such as hydration and nutrition, should be viewed as an essential complementary component of nursing practice. It provides an overview of the core elements and rationale for infection practice and associated activities and is applicable to all nurses, midwives and health care assistants, regardless of their practice setting. Download Essential Practice for Infection Prevention and Control (PDF 669KB).

Panton-Valentine Leukocidin Positive Staphylococcus Aureus (PVL-SA) Guidance for Health Care Professionals - August 2011

This electronic guidance complements the PVL-SA poster published in 2011 and provides more comprehensive advice on management of this infection. This guidance has been developed to assist nurses and health care assistants in their assessment, diagnosis, management and prevention of suspected or confirmed PVL-SA infections within the household, wider community and health and social care settings (including care homes). It can also be used by other health and social care professionals, for example, GPs or nursery workers. Download the PVL-SA Guidance for Health Care Professionals (PDF 487KB).

Information and Learning Resources for Health Care Staff - July 2011

This electronic resource gives members guidance on how to search and find the relevant evidence-based information and guidance required to help keep infection prevention knowledge and practice up to date. It highlights further resources which will help save time and support understanding and knowledge of this specialist area. This resource may be of benefit to nursing students, nurses undertaking post-registration/graduate studies, infection prevention nurses and infection prevention link practitioners (including link nurses or champions). Download information and learning resources for health care staff (PDF 397KB). 

The Selection and Use of Disinfectant Wipes - June 2011

This technical guidance applies to non-skin wipes. Wipes are recognised as a convenient and quick means of cleaning or disinfection at ward or department level. Despite their growing popularity, however, there is a poor level of evidence to support the efficacy of disinfectant wipes in real life use. This is particularly important when wipes are used to support a reduction in the transmission of micro-organisms via the environment. This guidance aims to raise awareness of this issue and support informed decision-making based on current knowledge and standards on the use of wipes. Download the guidance (PDF 477KB).

Panton-Valentine Leukocidin Positive Staphylococcus Aureus Poster - February 2011

The Panton-Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) positive Staphylococcus aureus poster represents the first in a series of resources to support members in recognising and managing potential or confirmed cases of PVL Staphylococcus aureus. The purpose of this poster is to ensure that clinical indications of Panton-Valentine Leukocidin positive Staphylococcus aureus (PVL-SA) are recognised promptly so advice and treatment are sought as soon as possible to reduce the risk of transmission to others within the household, wider community or health care setting. Download the poster (PDF 978KB).

Joint RCN/IPC Position Statement on Commissioning of Infection Prevention (England) - January 2011

The Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and the Infection Prevention Society (IPS) have collaborated to develop a Position Statement on the Commissioning of Infection Prevention Service (PDF 50KB) within the new and emerging NHS landscape. This document has been developed to raise awareness and promote discussion of the value of infection prevention specialists and the associated memory of existing service provision in the delivery of this key area of quality to health care organisations. As a core element of patient safety and quality strategies, infection prevention and control remains a challenging and ever changing area of practice as we work to confront developments in antimicrobial resistance and the care of an aging and increasingly dependent population. 

February 2013 - This position statement was reviewed in June 2012 and was considered as still current at that time.  As we approach the forthcoming changes to the commissioning of NHS services the Royal College of Nursing and Infection Prevention Society  recognise that this joint position statement will require further review and revision.  This will be undertaken following 1 April 2013 in collaboration with both organisations members.

Coming soon

Guidance on the Management of Waste Arising from Health, Social and Personal Care 

This guidance is an update of the previous RCN guidance on the management of health care waste. The guidance will include case studies and frequently asked questions to support members comply with the revision of HTM 07-01. This guidance is currently going through the publication process.