Our Infection Prevention and Control Team (IPC) is here to help, educate and signpost. Please feel free to stop us when we are out and about on the wards or you can reach us by email: Infection
Our IPC team covers Southport and Formby, South Sefton, St Helens, Knowsley, Liverpool Warrington, and Halton. The IPC team are available Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm, excluding bank holidays.
Group A Streptococcal (GAS) Infection:
Group A Streptococcus (GAS) - also known as Streptococcus pyogenes - are bacteria that can be found in the throat and on the skin. People may carry GAS and have no symptoms of illness or may develop infection.
How GAS is spread
Streptococcus bacteria survive in throats and on skin for long enough to allow easy spread between people through sneezing and skin contact.
People who are currently carrying GAS in the throat or on the skin with no symptoms of illness are described as colonised.
Kinds of illnesses caused by GAS
Most GAS illnesses are relatively mild such as ‘strep throat’, scarlet fever or a skin infection such as impetigo.
However, on rare occasions, these bacteria can cause other severe and even life-threatening diseases.
Invasive group A Streptococcal (iGAS) disease
Although rare, life-threatening GAS disease may occur when bacteria get into parts of the body where bacteria usually are not found, such as the blood or muscle. This may occur when a person has sores or other breaks in the skin that allow the bacteria to get into the tissue, a weakened immune system or some viral infections, such as a cold or flu. These infections are called invasive Group A Streptococcal (iGAS) disease.
Early signs and symptoms of invasive group A Streptococcal (iGAS) disease include:
- high fever
- severe muscle aches
- localised muscle tenderness
- increasing pain, swelling and redness at site of wound
- unexplained diarrhoea or vomiting
Good infection control measures such as effective hand hygiene, good general cleaning and careful handling of soiled household linens such as bedding and towels reduce the risk of cross infection.
Addition information can be found at: Strep A - NHS
World AIDS Day (1 December 2024)
IPC specialist nurse Ann Irvine spent time with staff and service users at Broadoak reception promoting/discussing the facts around HIV/AIDS
Additional information on HIV/AIDS: HIV | Terrence Higgins Trust
Safe sharps
The has been an increase in RADAR reporting needle stick injuries following trust guidelines can help prevent such injuries.
Used sharps must be discarded immediately by the person generating sharps waste, into an approved container conforming to current standards.
Sharps containers must be located in a safe position to minimise the risk of spillage and at a height that allows the safe disposal of sharps. Ensuring temporary closure mechanism is utilised when sharps bin is not in use, preventing accidental spillage.
- Containers must be disposed of when the fill line is reached.
- Consequences of needle stick injury are potentially serious, carrying the risk of transmitting blood borne viruses such as Hepatitis B and C and Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV).
Risks are generated by unsafe practices, in particular re-sheathing needles and disassembling devices manually, not disposing of sharp items into a sharp’s container at point of use or unstable containers toppling over.
Injuries are far more likely to occur where there is no opportunity to dispose of items immediately after use.
Information available for the safe handling of sharps and disposal of sharps items with the IPC Manual which can be found in the attached document.
IPC Link Practitioners
Please visit the IPC champion YourSpace page.
Any further interest in this role please speak with your line manager, contact the IPC team if further information required: Infection
HIV
HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) is a virus that damages the cells in your immune system and weakens your ability to fight everyday infections and disease.
AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is the name used to describe a number of potentially life-threatening infections and illnesses that happen when your immune system has been severely damaged by the HIV virus.
While AIDS cannot be transmitted from one person to another, the HIV virus can.
There's currently no cure for HIV, but there are very effective drug treatments that enable people with the virus to live a long and healthy life.
With an early diagnosis and effective treatments, most people with HIV will not develop any AIDS-related illnesses and will live a normal life.
Scabies
Scabies is an itchy rash caused by mites. Scabies is contagious from the point of infestation, its spread through close skin contact and anyone can get it. It should be treated quickly to stop it spreading.
Symptoms include severe itching, usually most severe at night, rash and shallow burrows on the skin. This generally begins three to six weeks after infestation.
The scabies rash usually spreads across the whole body, it often affects skin between fingers, around the wrists, under the arms, around the waist, groin and bottom.
Among elderly patients, the clinical presentation may be very different. Burrows and rashes may affect parts of the body typically covered by clothing, for example, the torso or legs, therefore careful and thorough examination is required.
Treatment: Apply the prescribed cream/lotion to all part of the body including scalp and face and particular attention should be paid to toes and finger or where the rash is seen. The application should be left on for 8 to24 hours depending on manufacturer’s instructions. Reapply on hands and other areas of the body if washed during contact period. Always repeat the treatment a week after the first application.
Crusted scabies
Crusted scabies is a presentation which most commonly occurs in elderly, immunocompromised or malnourished people. This form of scabies is characterised by a scaly rash and thickened crusts of skin containing many mites, alongside heavy skin shedding. Itching may be absent. It is harder to treat and may contribute disproportionately to transmission.
Please inform the IPC team of any service users/patients diagnosed with Scabies to enable the team to offer further guidance and support.
For further information regarding scabies please see below links
- Scabies - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
- UKHSA guidance on the management of scabies cases and outbreaks in long-term care facilities and other closed settings - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Please see scabies care plan link: Scabies_Care_Plan-__.docx (live.com)
All care plans are available on the IPC tiles on YourSpace.
IPC Champions
The IPC Champion leads have set up a monthly drop-in Q&A sessions. This is to allow the IPC champions to ask any questions they may have around infection control, ward assurances, AMAT etc.
The next session will be Thursday, 14 November from 11am to 12pm. Please note this is not a training session. A direct Teams invite will be invited to the MHCD and MHSLD.
If you have any queries or further interest in link persons’ role please speak with your line manager and contact us on 0151 295 3036 or e mail infection
Whooping Cough (Pertussis)
Whooping cough (pertussis) is a bacterial infection of the lungs. It spreads easily and can sometimes cause serious problems. It’s important for Babies and children to get vaccinated. Unvaccinated pregnant women will also be offered a vaccine . The first signs of whooping cough are similar to a cold, these include runny nose and sore throat (Pyrexia is an uncommon symptom).
After about a week, symptoms can be:
- Coughing bouts that last a few minutes and are worse at night
- A whooping sound-gasp for breath between coughs. Young babies and adults may not make this noise
- Difficulty in breathing after coughing and may look cyanosed (blue/grey colour)
- May bring up thick mucus which can lead to vomiting
- May become very red in the face (more common in adults)
- The cough may last for weeks even months
Whooping cough is contagious from about six days after the start of cold like symptoms to three weeks after the coughing starts.
Hydration
With the warmer weather hopefully upon us staff need to be aware of good hydration for patients it helps prevent urinary tract infections among many other health benefits. It’s recommended that adults drink at least eight cups of fluid a day (unless they have been advised to reduce fluid intake by a medical professional) Any fluid except alcohol counts tea coffee milk etc. Foods such as soups ,iced lollies, fruit and milk puddings can count to your fluid intake. Drinking regularly throughout the day prevents dehydration
Hydrating fruits and vegetables include
- Cucumber-96%
- Pineapple-95%
- Lettuce-95%
- Celery-95%
- Tomato-94%
- Watermelon-92%
- Grapefruit-90%
- Pear-84%
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/urinary-tract-infections-utis/
PPE – Using gloves appropriately
Using gloves appropriately animation - HIS (Healthcare Infection Society) in conjunction with IPS (Infection Prevention Society) have launched a new animation for their ‘Gloves off’ campaign highlighting the critical importance of hand hygiene and proper glove usage in healthcare - complementing the getting back to basics theme.
Any further interest in this role please speak with your line manager, contact the IPC team if further information required: Infection
Measles
Measles is not just a childhood disease; it can make adults seriously unwell too. Across the North West, there has been an increase in the number of positive cases.
Measles is a highly infectious viral infection. Symptoms include a runny nose, cough, conjunctivitis (sore, itchy, watery, red and sticky eyes), high fever, rash (maculopapular) and feeling generally very unwell.
The spots of the measles rash are sometimes raised and join together to form blotchy patches. The rash starts on the face and behind the ears before spreading to the rest of the body. The incubation period is between 10 to 12 days but can vary from 7 to 21 days. For additional information, visit the NHS website.
How we can assist: ensuring staff remain vigilant for possible cases, ensure anyone who presents at a health care setting is isolated appropriately at the earliest opportunity and MMR vaccination is arranged when appropriate.
Measles is not just a childhood disease; it can make adults seriously unwell too. The best way to protect yourself, your family, friends, our patients and service users, is by having the MMR vaccination. you can have your MMR at the vaccination centre in Maghull Health Park by booking a slot on YourSpace.
To view the recording of the North West Primary Care Webinar update and advice on Measles from Wednesday 6 March 2024, visit YourSpace.
For Measles Information and Guidance please visit the IPC Tiles on YourSpace.
IPC Link Practitioners
Link Champions have you completed your survey and returned it to the Infection Prevention and Control Team? If not please ensure it is returned by the 31 May 2024 to: Infection
World Hand Hygiene Day is the 5 May 2024. IPC will be visiting the below areas on the 1 May 2024 -come and meet the team!
- Ashworth Reception - 1.30pm to 3.30pm
- Hollins Park Reception 1.30pm to 3.30pm
- Clock View Reception 1.30pm to 3.30pm
IPC will be visiting the below areas on the 3 May 2024:
- Goodlass Road Reception - 9am to 11am
- Longmoor House Reception - 1pm to 3pm
Please visit the IPC champions tile on YourSpace
Any further interest in this role please speak with your line manager, contact the IPC team if further information required: Infection
PPE – Using gloves appropriately
Using gloves appropriately animation - HIS (Healthcare Infection Society) in conjunction with IPS (Infection Prevention Society) have launched a new animation for their ‘Gloves off’ campaign highlighting the critical importance of hand hygiene and proper glove usage in healthcare - complementing the getting back to basics theme.
Mouth Care Matters
Please see the below link to the website for Health Education England Mouth Care Matters programme, setting out to improve oral health.
Home - Mouth Care Matters (hee.nhs.uk)
The Mouth Care Matters programme aims to create a healthcare team that is more responsive and personalised for patients and delivers better clinical outcomes, bringing an increased awareness of the importance of good mouth care and how it impacts on general health and quality of life.
The initiative is relevant for all people who provide personal care to patients be that in an acute, care home or community setting. The website offers a wealth of training materials, posters and resources.
Influenza
Influenza is an acute viral infection of the respiratory tract. Influenza is highly infectious with a usual incubation period of one to three days. Flu is easily spread to other people. You're more likely to give it to others in the first five days.
Transmission is by droplets, aerosol, or through direct contact, spread by germs from coughs and sneezes, which can live on hands and surfaces for 24 hours.
To reduce the risk of spreading flu:
- wash your hands often with warm water and soap
- cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze (if you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into the bend of your elbow, not into your hand) bin used tissues as quickly as possible
- stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities. Find out more in the attached document.
Ventilation is an important IPC measure. Letting fresh air from outdoors into indoor spaces can help remove air that contains virus particles and prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory conditions.
Inpatients - always contact the infection prevention and control team if you suspect you have any service users displaying symptoms of flu. Telephone: 0151 295 3036, email: infection
Please see the attached document for the influenza checklist to be used within community settings.
Covid vs Influenza list
Disease Characteristics as per UKHSA Acute Respiratory Infection Resource Pack for Care Homes.
|
|
COVID-19 |
Influenza-like illness (ILI) |
|
Symptoms |
AND/OR:
AND/OR:
Other symptoms that may indicate COVID-19 in care home residents include:
|
AND:
OR:
Whilst it is recognised that older people may not always develop a fever with influenza, fever is necessary to define ILI[1].
|
IPC Link Practitioners
IPC have relaunched the IPC link practitioner role now known as IPC Champions.
Any further interest in this role please speak with your line manager, contact the IPC team if further information required: Infection
I SPY - Norovirus
Norovirus also called the "winter vomiting bug", is a stomach bug that causes vomiting and diarrhoea. It can be very unpleasant, but usually goes away in about two days.
The main symptoms of norovirus are:
- feeling sick (nausea)
- diarrhoea
- being sick (vomiting).
You may also have:
- a high temperature
- a headache
- aching arms and legs.
The symptoms start suddenly within one to two days of being infected.
How to treat norovirus yourself:
- You can usually treat yourself at home
- The most important thing is to rest and have lots of fluids to avoid dehydration.
- You will usually start to feel better in two to three days.
How norovirus is spread:
Norovirus can spread very easily.
You can catch norovirus from:
- close contact with someone with norovirus
- touching surfaces or objects that have the virus on them, then touching your mouth
- eating food that's been prepared or handled by someone with norovirus.
Washing your hands frequently with soap and water is the best way to stop it spreading. Alcohol hand gels do not kill norovirus.
Inpatients - always contact the infection prevention and control team if you suspect you have any service users displaying symptoms of Norovirus (diarrhoea & vomiting). Telephone 0151 295 3036. Email infection
See the attached document for the diarrhoea and vomiting care plan.
See the attached SIGHT poster for guidelines for ward staff in the event of unexpected diarrhoea in service users.
IPC dates for the calendar: World Health Organisation (WHO) Global Health Days
- World Neglected Tropical Diseases Day – 30 January
- World Tuberculosis Day – 24 March
- World Health Day – 7 April
Influenza
Influenza is an acute viral infection of the respiratory tract. Influenza is highly infectious with a usual incubation period of one to three days. Flu is easily spread to other people. You're more likely to give it to others in the first five days.
The risk of serious illness from influenza is higher in people with low immunity.
Transmission is by droplets, aerosol, or through direct contact, spread by germs from coughs and sneezes, which can live on hands and surfaces for 24 hours.
To reduce the risk of spreading flu:
- Wash your hands often with warm water and soap
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you cough or sneeze (if you do not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into the bend of your elbow, not into your hand) bin used tissues as quickly as possible
- Stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to do your normal activities.
Find out more in the attached policy.
Vaccines
Flu viruses can change year on year. Consequently, vaccines are made each year to provide protection against the flu viruses that are predicted to circulate, and therefore the vaccine needs to be given on an annual basis.
Find out more about our COVID-19 and flu campaign on YourSpace. Book your vaccines today!
How effective is the flu vaccine?
The flu vaccine will help prevent you getting flu and is your best protection against the virus. It will not stop all flu viruses but if you do get flu after vaccination, it’s likely to be milder and shorter-lived than it would otherwise have been. It takes between 10 and 14 days for your immune system to respond fully after you’ve had the flu jab.
IPC Link Practitioners
IPC have relaunched the IPC link practitioner role now known as IPC Champions.
Any further interest in this role please speak with your line manager, contact the IPC team if further information required: Infection
Secondment opportunity within the Infection Prevention and Control Team
IPC Band 6 secondment Opportunity
An exciting development opportunity has come up within the Trust IPC team. The IPCT are looking for 2 candidates to join the team for an 18-month secondment.
The successful candidates will work with the IPC team to prevent and control health care associated infections for service users, carers, staff and visitors to the Trust and we work with all Trust staff and in partnership with other local NHS trusts, non-NHS bodies, the local authorities, and the public to achieve this.
If interested, please contact:
Gillian Verdin- gillian
Moira Brown- moira
Infection
Bare Below the Elbow (BBE)
Bare below the elbows is a term used to how staff should present themselves when in a clinical environment. This reduces the risk of infection and increases effective handwashing.
To be compliant with bare below the elbow in line with the Uniform and work ware attire policy staff should:
- Wear short sleeves
- Remove hand and wrist jewellery
- Ensure fingernails are short and natural- no false nails
- Ensure nails are free from nail varnish
- Cover cuts and abrasions with waterproof dressings.
What does it look like?
NO 
YES
The Facts
Staff not adhering to BBE are more likely to carry harmful bacteria and viruses under artificial nails, around and under watches and in stoned rings and on cuffs of long sleeved garments, which then are easily transferred to patients, themselves or other colleagues
- Cuffs become heavily contaminated with Staphylococcus aureus inclusive of MRSA and are more likely to come into contact with patients.
(Treakle, 2009).
- Healthcare workers who wear artificial nails are more likely to harbour Gram- Negative pathogens such as E. Coli on their fingertips. (World Health Organisation [WHO], 2009).
- Rings and watches are known to be associated with high numbers of bacteria on the hands and wrists (Salisbury ,1997)
- Bare below the elbow is supported globally, nationally and within local policy
Why is it so important?
Our patients may be more vulnerable to infection than the general population Bare below the elbow, helps with effective hand washing, which in turn helps to reduce the spread of infection.
Key points:
- Enables staff to wash their hands and wrists thoroughly
- Reduces the transmission of infection
- In the United Kingdom, improving hand hygiene in health-care settings can help prevent more than 1 300 deaths annually between 2015 and 2050
- Helps to keep our patients safe
- Keeps yourself and other staff safe.
Measles and you!
How we can assist: ensuring staff remain vigilant for possible cases, ensure anyone who presents at a health care setting is isolated appropriately at the earliest opportunity and MMR vaccination is arranged when appropriate. Measles is a highly infectious viral infection. Symptoms include a runny nose; cough; conjunctivitis (sore, itchy, watery, red and sticky eyes); high fever; rash (maculopapular); generally very unwell. The spots of the measles rash are sometimes raised and join together to form blotchy patches. The rash starts on the face and behind the ears before spreading to the rest of the body. The incubation period is between 10 to 12 days but can vary from 7 to 21 days. For additional information please see link Measles |
Community Care Division update
Community Care Division Infection Prevention and Control - self audit schedule |
Well done to all Trust Link Practitioners
|
I SPY Escherichia Coli (E. coli)
Good IPC practices can minimise the risk of E.coli BSI. These include:
Break the E.coli chain: Delivery of safe practice at every patient intervention for device & procedures to prevent E.coli bacteraemia |
UKHSA Northwest Health Protection Team has recently identified a very small number of confirmed measles cases in the Greater Manchester area.
