News in brief

Infection cards

Nurses across England are to be given cards with checklists on how to avoid spreading healthcare-associated infections. The cards will set out the steps nurses should take to minimise the risk of spreading infections when they are carrying out ‘high impact interventions’, such as inserting a catheter.
Nursing Standard, 13 June

Panic for asthmatics

Patients with asthma are more likely to suffer panic attacks than the general population, new research reveals, according to a study published in the American Journal of Respiratory Care Medicine (2005;171:1224-1230)
Nursing Times, 8 June

Rest does not aid DVT

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Confining patients with deep vein thrombosis (DVT) to bed does not reduce the risk of pulmonary embolism (PE), new research has suggested. A paper published in Chest (2005;127:1631-1636) compared the clinical outcomes during the first 15 days of treatment between patients with acute DVT treated with strict bed rest, with those who were not.
Nursing Times, 3 June

Hygiene boost needed

A small rise in the number of staff who wash their hands between seeing patients can lead to a dramatic fall in the number of healthcare-associated infections, according to nurses at an NHS Quality Improvement Scotland conference. While 100% compliance is desirable, it is not strictly necessary, they added.
Nursing Standard, 13 June