Orthopaedic Infection Control Dublin

Infection Control

Blackrock Clinic's Approach to Infection Prevention and Control

Infections have always been a side effect of medical treatment, especially in hospitals. We are more aware of healthcare assoicated infections today because we can recoqnise these infections easier. Here at Blackrock Clinic we take a serious zero tolerance approach to infection and are pro active in its prevention. A full time infection prevention and control specialist nurse is employed who oversees all aspects of infection control in the hospital and is supported by a consultant Microbiologist.

Steps that we take to prevent infection within our hopstial are as follows;

• Hand hygiene facilites are available for all people to use throughout the hospital, this includes alcohol gel and dedicated hand hygiene sinks in every patient room
• Cautious and appropriate use of antibiotic therapy
• We maintain a high standard of environmental cleaning. This includes the cleaning of surfaces, equipment and linen. A hygiene committee is in place that monitors this
• We screen all patients pre operatively that are undergoing surgery for resistant organisms ie, MRSA, VRE, CRE. This allows us time to decolonise these patients, therefore preventing the organism causing infection post operatively
• We carry out active surveillance on Hip and Knee surgery. This means that we monitor operating theatre ventilation, sterilisation methods, surgical technique and antibiotic prophylaxis. This will reduce the risk of infection to the patient
• Isolation facilities for patients with infections are provided (being nursed in a single room). This prevents infection spreading from person to person. Visitors may be required to wear personal protective equipment before entering a patient's room.
• We provide ongoing education in the prevention and control of infection. This is delivered to doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals by the infection control team on a scheduled basis
• We provide information leaflets for patients and their visitors that explain clearly the organisms that can cause infection and how to avoid this

The infection prevention and control specialist nurse can provide additional information or if you have any specific queires contact Joanne Flanagan via this website or by telephone 01-2832222 (bleep 27).