Beyond Bleach: The evolution of hospital cleaning
Hospital cleaning has evolved from a largely unseen support service to a critical component of infection prevention and patient safety. This presentation will review the foundations of effective environmental hygiene and explore emerging approaches, enhanced training methods, performance monitoring, targeting high-risk surfaces and novel disinfection technologies
Chlorhexidine bathing outside the ICU: what does the evidence show on preventing catheter-associated bloodstream infection?
Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing is widely used to prevent healthcare-associated infections, particularly in intensive care units, but its effectiveness for preventing catheter-associated bloodstream infections among non-ICU patients remains uncertain. This presentation examines whether CHG bathing prevents catheter-associated bloodstream infections in non-ICU hospital inpatients wards. It draws on a systematic review with meta-analysis reporting central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI). The presentation also considers adverse events, costs, acceptability and factors affecting implementation. It discusses the limitations of current evidence and the need for pragmatic multicentre trials to define effectiveness and identify populations most likely to benefit.
Speaker Details
Paul Simpson
Paul Simpson is a Clinical Nurse Consultant in Infection Prevention and Control at Redcliffe Hospital, Brisbane, with more than 30 years of healthcare experience in Australia and the United Kingdom. A former member of both the British Royal Navy’s Submarine Service and Queen Alexandra’s Royal Navy Nursing Service, Paul holds an MSc in Infection Control and is an Honorary Fellow at The University of Queensland. His interests include behavioural approaches to infection prevention and innovative environmental cleaning strategies. Outside of work, he enjoys running, walking his dogs, and keeping up with the never-ending home jobs list on the fridge door thoughtfully maintained by his wife.
Dr Thiago Lopes Silva
Dr Thiago Lopes Silva is a Registered Nurse and Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Infection Prevention and Vascular Access (IPVA) at The University of Queensland, Australia. Member of the Alliance for Vascular Access Teaching and Research (AVATAR). His research focuses on vascular access, prevention of device-related complications and patient safety. His clinical background includes working in an emergency department and participating in vascular access and patient safety teams.