Getting back to basics in infection control.

DUNEDIN MAYOR Suki Turner opened the NZNO National Division of Infection Control Nurses' 22nd national infection control conference in Dunedin by acknowledging the heightened focus on infection control. With the recent global severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak and a health alert in Dunedin due to three unexpected deaths, the community valued the contribution of infection control activities in both protecting and enhancing community wellbeing, she said.

The 190 people at the conference, held earlier last month, responded well to the theme "Back to basics" and a programme that reflected on essential foundations for infection control practice, as well as covering the latest scientific developments.

The conference highlights were the keynote addresses by epidemiologist and director of infection control at the University of Geneva Hospitals in Sweden, Didier Pittet. Widely respected for his multiple research and publications, Pittet presented three papers that captivated the audience: "MRSA: Is the battle over?"; "The challenge of hand hygiene promotion: implications for the future"; and "Impact of nosocomial infection and cost-effectiveness of infection control".

Throughout his papers, Pittet emphasised the importance of hand hygiene practices in preventing infection and used research that linked practice to nosocomial infection rates and costs. Pittet focused on the need to address the issue of time constraints, which remained a key factor for health professionals' non-compliance with recommended hand hygiene practice. Pittet sees the introduction of bedside hand rub as compared to handwashing as the new standard of care.

Infection control nurse from Welling ton's Bowen Hospital, Trudi Bryant, complemented Pittet's paper with a presentation giving an overview of the introducion of hand gel into the hospital. She demonstrated innovative ways to increase medical staff compliance--traditionally the group that research shows has the lowest level of hand hygiene compliance. Hutt Hospital nurses Maureen Rawson and Wendy Wilkinson exploded onto the stage with costume, song and dance to demonstrate how infection control education can capture staff interest and create behavioural change through the use of innovative practice. Their use of an annual hospital-wide "bug theatre" event combined creativity and education, capturing the participation and enjoyment of staff throughout the hospital.

All papers were of a high standard and there was a real sense that infection control nurses are well placed to address current practice issues. A number of awards were presented at the end of the three-day event. Rawson and Wilkinson won best new presenters with their paper "Let the creative juices flow"; best paper was presented to Waikato Hospital nurse Carol Jarvis for her paper "Elementary, dear Watson--outbreak investigations using case control studies"; the poster award went to Wellington Hospital nurses Clo Taylor and Tim Blackmore; and infection control practitioner of the year was awarded to Dunedin Hospital infection control coordinator Jo Stodart. Dunedin nurse Marie Sutherland was awarded life membership for 23 years' service to infection control.