RCN Wipe it out

‘Wipe it out’ was launched in 2005 to support RCN members' contributions in reducing health care associated infections (HCAIs) particularly MRSA, and to act as a focal point for political lobbying on related issues.

‘Wipe it Out’ is now no longer an active campaign, however the strap line has been maintained as a focus for the overarching project which continues to help meet the college’s ambitions in supporting a reduction in HCAI’s and improving patient's experience of care.

Objectives

Activity is varied according to need and can include events, focus groups, guidance development and further development of the web resource and the infection prevention network.

Update on Wipe it out

Wipe it Out work is led by the nurse adviser for infection prevention and control in collaboration with members and stakeholders. The current emphasis on activity is focused on moving beyond the production of guidance to more interactive work which focuses on identifying contemporary issues pertinent to nursing and shaping these to form priorities for 2013-14. This activity acknowledges the current pressures associated with changes underway within the NHS in England and associated clinical priorities within the quality/safety landscape.  ‘Wipe it Out’ work complements other RCN infection prevention activity, a summary of which can be found in the RCN activity on infection control page.

Events

Due to issues relating to Olympic planning no events have been schedules for 2012. The College has continued to support requests to speak or attend stakeholder events and is currently planning a one day conference to be held on 15 March 2013 in London – see the events page.

RCN guidance update – (please go to the publications tab for more information)

The RCN's Best practice in Infection Prevention and Control Guidance (2005) was updated and published in January 2012 as ‘Essential practice for Infection Prevention and Control’.

RCN guidance on the prevention of occupational dermatitis and glove use was launched at RCN Congress in May 2012. Entitled Tools of the Trade this represents a collaborative approach to supporting members in the recognition and prevention of occupationally acquired dermatitis caused by a combination of factors associated with health care work.

Updating of the RCN waste guidance is almost complete and has been delayed due to changes whilst in development associated with the Safe Management of Health Care Waste Guidance and controlled waste regulations. We hope this will be published shortly.

Sepsis: following a request by RCN Students and the development of a relationship with Sepsis UK the RCN has included information on the recognition of sepsis within the forthcoming RCN Student pocket guide.

Link nurses/practitioners

Following on from previous workshops, an analysis of the emerging themes from discussion has been used to develop a UK role framework to describe infection prevention link practitioners and four associated competences. This work is in the final stages of development and will be published shortly.

Strengthening European collaboration and partnerships with the wider international community

The nurse adviser for infection prevention and control has undertaken a number of European presentations and further activity is planned in support of the forthcoming International Federation of Infection Control (IFIC) conference later in the year. This activity will be undertaken as a member of the European Network for Infection Control and Patient safety and will be highlighting the work being undertaken on link nurses/practitioners.  A European survey on the use of link practitioners has been undertaken to support this event and future activity.