Our Infection Prevention and Control Team 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 on 0151 2953036 / 01925 664 851  Infection.ControlTeam@merseycare.nhs.uk.

Our IPC team covers Southport and Formby, South Sefton, St Helens, Knowsley, Liverpool Warrington, and Halton. Our normal working hours are from 9am to 5pm, 7 days a week including bank holidays.

Measles and you

measles image.pngUKHSA Northwest Health Protection Team has recently identified a very small number of confirmed measles cases in the Greater Manchester area.

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 and small white spots (Koplik spots) inside the cheeks. Around day 3 of the illness, a rash of flat red or brown blotches appear, beginning on the face, behind the ears and spreading over the body. The incubation period is between 10 to 12 days but can vary from 7 to 21 days.

 

Take the IPC pledge for this month

pledge.png‘I pledge to practice standard precautions to help stop the spread of germs from one person to another.’

 

 

I SPY Escherichia Coli (E. coli)

ecoli.jpgE. coli can be found in your gut. It lives there without causing any problems as part of your normal bowel bugs. E.coli can be problematic  when it is found in areas where it shouldn’t be e.g. – Urinary catheter site, wound site, or invasive device site.

 

Good IPC practices can minimise the risk of E.coli BSI. These include:

  • ANTT
  • Compliance with policy and procedures   
  • Urinary catheter care
  • Invasive device care
  • Hand hygiene
  • Environmental decontamination  
  • Staff and patient education

Break the E.coli chain: Delivery of safe practice at every patient intervention for device and procedures to prevent E.coli bacteraemia

 

 Well done to all our Trust LINK Practitioners...

welldone.pngCongratulations to all our successfully appointed Infection Prevention and Control Practitioners, link practitioner training dates to follow. Any further interest in this role or IPC enquires please contact Infection.ControlTeam@merseycare.nhs.uk 

 

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