Posts by Chris Thomas
Save money on air purification with Rediair: A cost-effective solution to expensive alternatives
A comparative evaluation of three different stand-alone HEPA-based air systems has been published in Infection, Disease & Health. The study used a range of measures to put the systems through their paces, concluding that the systems met their technical specification when tested in a healthcare environment, that noise could be an issue (with some units more…
Read MoreNew study links 2-in-1 wipes with reduced in-hospital mortality
In today’s blog, we’ll be discussing a new publication from the Journal of Hospital Infection. In a world first, researchers have evaluated and concluded the impact of detergent-disinfectant wipes on patient outcomes, including in-hospital mortality[1]. The ultimate goal of any IPC practice, including environmental decontamination, is to help save lives; for the first time, researchers…
Read MoreUpdate: Briefing on ESBLs, CPEs, & other antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria
We originally wrote this post in 2015 as a briefing on various antibiotic resistant bacteria. It’s one of the most popular articles on the blog, so time for an update! Read on to discover more about “antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria” and why resistant Enterobacterales are a real cause for concern. What are “antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria”? There…
Read MoreIs the latest SARS-CoV-2 variant, XBB.1.5, a cause for concern?
We discuss the new Omicron sub-variant (XBB.1.5), whether it’s more transmissible than other variants and how to prevent similar respiratory viruses from spreading. When did the Omicron variant first emerge? The emergence of the Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant around December 2021 was a game-changer for the COVID-19 pandemic. Whilst being more transmissible than previous variants, resulting in more widespread…
Read MoreDroplet & aerosol precautions are dead: long live ‘respiratory precautions’!
Our Clinical team discuss how the traditional distinction between “droplet” and “aerosol” transmission-based precautions, no longer seem relevant and how we should consider moving towards a combined set of “respiratory” precautions. One of the most absorbing aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic, from a technical point of view, has been the developing understanding of the transmission dynamics of…
Read MoreGlobal sustained action against AMR: A review of the World Health Organisation (WHO) report
In honour of World Antimicrobial Awareness Week, we’re summarising the latest global report published by WHO on the global effort to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR). We discuss two case studies from the report: Malawi and Burkina Faso – global examples of the meaningful actions taken to address the threat of AMR. What is AMR and…
Read MoreHighlights from ACIPC Conference 2022
Our Clinical team share their highlights from the recent ACIPC conference in Sydney. Topics include, reflections on COVID-19, the use of portable HEPA filtration and the need for improved environmental hygiene. Read on to find out more. Over 700 in-person and 150 online delegates met in Sydney last week for the first face-to-face Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control (ACIPC)…
Read MoreHow dangerous is mould in the home?
Earlier this week, we heard the tragic news that the death of two-year-old Awaab Ishak was linked to mould in his home. So, how much of a risk is mould in the home, and what can be done to prevent it? In the case of Awaab Ishak, the coroner ruled that his death was due…
Read MoreEvidence that environmental hygiene is important from Clean Hospitals
We discuss recent publications from Clean Hospitals and their significance for environmental hygiene. Find out the results of their systematic review, including how the impact of environmental hygiene interventions reduce healthcare-associated infections. What is Clean Hospitals? Clean Hospitals is a multi-professional group, bringing together experts from the industry and healthcare sector to collaborate on various workstreams…
Read MoreWhat is World Ventil8 Day & why is it important?
In honour of the first World Ventil8 Day, our Clinical Specialist, Michael Sanni, reflects on the important aspects of ventilation and summarises relevant articles from GAMA’s blog. World Ventil8 Day is an initiative which composes of researchers and professionals passionate about raising awareness of ventilation as a crucial part of healthcare and wellbeing of people, with the intention…
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