Paper
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Infection Control COnNECT a web based platform for research
Carol Pellowe, EdD, MA, Ed, Ba, Hons, RN, RNT, Richard Wells Research Centre, Thames Valley University, London, England
Healthcare-associated infections (HCAI) have emerged as a significant threat to quality care and in many countries preventing HCAI is a national priority. Thames Valley University (TVU), London has played a significant role by developing the national evidence-based guidelines for preventing HCAI in acute care settings and a complementary set for primary and community care. This involved undertaking multiple systematic reviews on: environmental hygiene; hand hygiene; personal protective equipment; sharps; indwelling urethral catheters and central venous access devices.
Subsequently TVU developed on behalf of the NHS Core Learning Unit the national blended e-learning infection prevention programme for clinical and non-clinical staff. These programmes are for new members of staff or on-going professional development. Since the launch, over 10,000 healthcare staff have registered as users. Phase 2 of the programme for clinical staff will commence in 2007.
TVU also manages the National HCAI Research Network on behalf of the Department of Health. The role of the network is to manage research projects funded by the Department of Health and assist in the development of the national research priorities.
The Infection Control COnNECT draws on the experience gained from the above and in addition TVU’s links with overseas professional organisations, stakeholders and key researchers.