Hey Laura-Jane,

dont know how useful this would be to you, but the Institution of mechanical Engineers has a taskforce looking at infection control issues and they have written a fantastic guidance doc
https://www.imeche.org/get-involved/covid-19/pandemic-infection-control-solutions-task-force

All the clinical stuff you will know but the document was written by engineers to help mitigate infection using technology, so it may be helpful information for you when making your case for change to management in terms of demonstrating success.
DM me if you would like me to put you in touch with the team at the IMechE.
regards
Helen

Hi Laura Jane!

I have been working with the Infection Prevention & Control (IPC) team at Northampton General Hospital as part of our CSH Green Ward Competition. I passed your question on to Holly Slyne – Interim Director of IPC. Unfortunately she is not a Q member, but I have included her comments below;

“IPC nurses do have the pressure of the scrutiny from external regulators but it is about showing them a robust reusable solution e.g. how will it be cleaned effectively, how will the decontamination process be monitored? The disposable solution is unfortunately the simpler process to implement, but does not mean it is the best process for staff, patients or the environment! I would start by engaging IPC with something that is on the IPC agenda at the moment, for example reducing PPE. Our ‘Be PPE Free’ campaign has successfully reduced apron use by 20% and glove use by 5%. Once you’ve built up a relationship on that you could move on to other projects together!

At NGH, IPC have worked with our Sustainability Lead over the last few years to implement reusable sharps bins, reusable theatre hats, mattress cover replacement service, reusable gowns for PPE, reusable theatre gowns, and the switch from visors to cleanable reusable eye protection made an annual waste saving of £16k and 38 tonnes. We have just switched from plastic Chloraprep applicators to a more sustainable Hexi-prep pad are currently looking at a reusable air warming system for theatre patients (hot dogs!) and reusable tourniquets in low risk areas.”

The IPC team + the other Northampton Green Team projects will be shared on our website (https://sustainablehealthcare.org.uk/green-ward-competition) and networks (https://networks.sustainablehealthcare.org.uk/networks) following their showcase & awards event on 21st October.

In the meantime Holly is happy for me to share her contact details if you would like to speak with her – you can let me know at: rachel.mclean@sustainablehealthcare.org.uk

Best wishes,
Rachel

Hey Laura-Jane, I asked a project manager at UCLH I used to work with and he sends these tips:

– Going in armed with the data and back up information. On masks, I had the company send me lots of back up materials which was quite hard to argue against.
– Offer some compromises- we agreed to trial in a very limited area for masks and not to allow them to be worn for AGPs. This made the trial a bit more palatable.
– Ensure that any documentation that is produced goes through IPC for multiple looks over before anything kicks off proper.
– I asked for a list of their concerns and those I couldn’t answer, I passed on to the mask company. This way, all concerns an IPC team have are listed. The benefits of this are two fold: firstly, the problems may not seem as major as they initially thought. Secondly, if you return with an answer to all points its hard to argue against.
– Mention the sustainability agenda and how any changes link into it and NHS targets.

Good luck!