A round-up of news from the professional journals
Infection directors
Infection control nurses say Government plans to employ a director of
infection control in every hospital must be backed by more appropriately
trained nurses. The appointment of the directors is part of a package of
government proposals in a bid to cut the number of healthcare associated
infections (HAI). The UK’s HAI rates are the highest in Europe, and account for
around 5,000 deaths a year.
Nursing Standard, 11 December
Passive smoking
New research shows that passive smoking increases an individual’s risk of
developing lung cancer by up to 30 per cent. A report published online by the
International Journal of Cancer found that people exposed to second-hand smoke
are 13 to 32 per cent more likely to develop lung cancer than unexposed
individuals.
Nursing Times, 11 December
Small risk to hepatitis C
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Health professionals and emergency staff who observe standard precautions
when exposed to blood are at no greater risk of the hepatitis C virus (HCV)
than the general population, according to a new study. The research, published
in the Archives of Internal Medicine used data from surveys and blood screens
from emergency personnel whose specimens had been tested for antibodies to HCV.
(Arch Intern Med 163 (21) 2605-2610)
Nursing Times, 9 December
