NZNO library infection: the NZNO library has a number of recent items available to members on different aspects of infection control. A selection of these items is listed on these pages. Descriptions are mostly taken from accompanying publicity material.

Good practice in infection control: guidance for nursing staff. (2004) London: Royal College of Nursing. www.rcn.org.uk/publications/ pdf.

In 2000 the Royal College of Nursing published guidance on infection control for nurses working in general practice. This document revises that information and ensures it is relevant to all nurses, wherever they are working. The publication includes information on the general principles of infection control, including decontamination, achieving and maintaining a clean clinical environment, and what to do in the event of an accident.

Infection control for the health care provider. Compiled by Ikram, R., Carter, A. & Butterfield, M. (1999) Christchurch: Infection Control Medlab South. 196pp.

This guide presents information that can be used in home care and general practice settings. Regardless of the health care setting, hand washing remains the most important facet of any infection control programme.

Practical approaches to infection control in residential aged care. (1998) Kendall K.J. Victoria, Australia: Ausmed. 181pp.

For those who work in aged care, this book presents an exceptional opportunity to learn how to protect yourselves, other staff and residents from the ever-present dangers of infection.

Getting ahead of the curve: A strategy for combating infectious diseases. A report by the Chief Medical Officer. (2002) United Kingdom: Department of Health. http:// www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics/Publications/ PublicationsPolicyAndGuidance/.

This report sets out an infectious diseases strategy for England. It aims to describe the scope of the threat posed by infectious diseases, as well as establishing the priorities for action to combat the threat.

The role of modern matrons in infection control. Hill, D. & Hadfield 3. (2005) Nursing Standard; 19: 23, 42-44.

This article discusses the effect of the role of the modern matron on health care-associated infection and hospital cleanliness. The way the modern matron's role is developing is examined in relation to infection in a large acute NHS trust.

Guideline for hand hygiene in health care settings. Recommendations of the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee and the HICPAC/SHEA/APIC/IDSA Hand Hygiene Task Force. Boyce, J.J. & Pittet, D. (2002) http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/ mmwrhtml/rr5116a1.htm

This provides health care workers with a review of data regarding hand washing and hand antisepsis in health care settings. In addition, it provides specific recommendations to promote improved hand hygiene practices and reduce transmission of pathogenic microorganisms to patients and personnel in health care settings.

Needlestick and sharps injury: Workbook for designing, implementing and evaluating a sharps injury prevention programme. (2004) USA, Washington DC: Communicable Disease Centre. http://www.cdc.gov/sharpsafety/ index.html

This book is designed for infection control and occupational health personnel, health care administrators and sharps injury prevention committees. It will help assess your facility's sharps injuries prevention programme, document the development and implementation of your planning and prevention activities, and evaluate the impact of your prevention interventions.

Hospital infection: from Miasmas to MRSA. Aylifee, G. & English, M. (2003) Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. 288 pp.

This is an account of the continuing battle to control hospital infections, from the earliest days of hospital care when bad air or miasma was thought to be the cause, to the present day and the emergence of antibiotic resistant "superbugs" such as MRSA and necrotising fasciitis. The pivotal roles of key personalities such as Joseph Lister, Florence Nightingale, Louis Pasteur and Robert Koch are highlighted, and the history of this subject illuminates not only why hospitals and infections have had such an intimate and long relationship, but also why it is one that seems destined to continue.

Clean hands: how to encourage good hygiene by patients. Whiller J. & Cooper T. (2000) Nursing Times; 96: 46, 37-38.

It is important to encourage patients to wash their hands. The authors highlight a change in practice that brought about a major improvement in hand washing.

Hand washing: rituals and regimes in practice. Wakefield, A. (2003/2004) Kai Tiaki Nursing New Zealand; 9: 11.

Poor hand washing can severely compromise patient care.

Improving patient hand hygiene. (2003) Ward, D. Nursing Standard; 17: 35, 39-42.

The hand hygiene of patients has been neglected and should be emphasised. This article outlines strategies to empower patients to improve their hand hygiene, bearing in mind that they should be allowed to make their own choices.

Standard principles for preventing hospital-acquired infections. Loveday, H. (2001) Nursing Times; 97: 13, 36-39.

The author outlines the four key interventions that need to be applied to keep hospital-acquired infections to a minimum.

Management of hospital-acquired infection: Report of the Controller and Auditor-General. Tumuaki o te Mana Arotake. (2003) Wellington: The Audit Office. http://www.oag.govt.nz/ HomePageFolders/Publications/HA1/ HAI_Report.htm

This is the first performance audit in the New Zealand health sector under the Public Audit Act 2001. Published in two volumes, the audit provides a baseline from which the Ministry of Health and district health board staff can improve infection control practices.

Health Protection Agency: Norovirus.http:// www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/ norovirus/menu.htm

Norovirus is the most common cause of infectious gastroenteritis in England and Wales. Although relatively mild, norovirus illness can occur at any age because immunity to it is not long-lasting. The syndrome is commonly referred to as "winter vomiting disease" due to its seasonality and typical symptoms. Outbreaks of Norovirus gastroenteritis are common in semi-closed environments such as hospitals, nursing homes, schools and cruise ships.

Transmission, management and features of norovirus infection. Weston, D. (2005) Nursing Times; 101: 5, 28-29.

Noroviruses cause acute gastroenteritis in humans, with outbreaks occurring in a variety of settings. It is important that all nurses are aware of this infectious disease and how to report it, and understand the management of patients with this condition.

Barrier nursing: nursing the infectious or immuno-suppressed patient. Chpt 5 in Dougherty, L. & Lister, S. eds. The Royal Marsden Hospital Manual of Clinical Nursing Procedures. 6th ed. Oxford, UK: Blackwell Publishing.

Guidelines for the management of norovirus outbreaks in hospitals and elderly care institutions. (2004) Wellington: Ministry of Health. http://www.moh.govt.nz/moh.nsf/

These guidelines provide advice and recommendations on how to manage and control an outbreak of norovirus within an institutional setting in New Zealand. It is available in PDF format from the Auckland Regional Public Health Service website: www.arphs.govt.nz.

Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA): Guidance for nursing staff. (2004) London: Royal College of Nursing. http:// www.rcn.org.uk/publications/pdf/mrsa.pdf

MRSA is a feature of modern day health care across the world. In 1998 a national working party of the British Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, Hospital Infection Society and Infection Control Nurses Association was set up. It published recommendations to control MRSA in hospitals. These provided the basis for local policy, giving nurses access to guidance on MRSA in all clinical settings. This publication updates that original document published in 2000.

Guidelines for the control of Methicillin Resistant Staphyloccus Aureus in New Zealand. (2002) Wellington : Ministry of Health. http://www.mob.govt.nz/moh.nsf/

New guidelines for the control of MRSA in New Zealand were published in August 2002. This web-based version will be revised every year or so. These guidelines should be used by individual health and disability care facilities to develop their own MRSA policy.

MRSA: What nursing and residential homes need to know. (1996) Department of Health: United Kingdom. www.dh.gov.uk/assetRoot/ 04/07/63/51/04076351.PDF

There is a great deal of concern in nursing and residential homes about the spread and significance of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA), a form of the commonest type of bacteria which can infect humans. This leaflet aims is to dispel the myths surrounding MRSA and outlines how to live safely with it.

Is isolation nursing the best method to control the spread of Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus? Taylor, D. (2003) Southport and Ormskirk NHS Trust. http:// www.southportandormskirk.nhs.uk/

The facts about MRSA. Association of Medical Microbiologists. (1995) London: AMM. http:/ /www.amm.co.uk/newamm/files/factsabout/ fa_mrsa.htm

Caring for those with HIV/AIDS. Davis. K. (2003) Kai Tiaki Nursing New Zealand; 9:3, 30.

Nurses must continually strive to ensure the care they offer people living with HIV/AIDS is non-judgemental.

Facing up to severe acute respiratory syndrome. Davis, K. (2003) Kai Tiaki Nursing New Zealand; 9: 1, 24-25.

Nurses need to be informed and to understand their professional responsibilities when confronted with a SARS epidemic.

Lessons from SARS. [Collection of articles] (2003) Hospital Quarterly; 6: 4. http:// www.longwoods.com/hq/HQ64-2003/ HQ64index.html

SARS in Hong Kong: from experience to action: A summary report of the SARS expert committee. (2003) Hong Kong: SARS Expert Committee. Report available for downloading from: http://www.sars-expertcom.gov.hk/ english/reports/reports.html

Infection control. The psychological impact of isolation. Madeo, M. (2003) Nursing Times; 99: 7, 54-5.

Isolating patients with infections is a common practice on many wards. Therefore, it is essential that nurses have an understanding of what patients might experience when isolation is recommended.

NZNO members are able to borrow all these books or articles. To request an item, please email [e-mail] or telephone [phone]. A more complete resource list can be found on the library pages of the NZNO website: www.nzno.org.nz.