Maggot therapy for resistant infections: the disconnect between scientific evidence, clinical acceptance and practice.

OBJECTIVE: Practitioners and scientists are re-examining marginalised wound care therapies to find strategies that combat the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) without compromising patient outcomes. Maggot therapy (MT) makes up just an estimated 0.02% of UK's National Health Service spending on wound care. This study aims to uncover why MT is not used more often, despite its affordability and high level of efficacy for both debridement and disinfection, particularly in the context of AMR infections, and to determine what can be done to ensure MT is more effectively used in the future to improve patient outcomes and manage the growing problem of AMR. METHOD: For this investigation, a qualitative review of case studies using MT against AMR infections and a quantitative analysis of randomised control trials (RCTs) were performed using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses framework. RESULTS: Analysis showed that MT is highly effective against a range of infections and wound types, and compares well against conventional therapies. The low use of MT may be due in part to the documented 'yuck factor', often associated with maggots as well as misconceptions around the cost, efficacy and accessibility of MT. To overcome these factors, more RCTs on the spectrum and efficacy of MT across various clinical manifestations are needed, as well as professional and public engagement campaigns. CONCLUSION: MT is an underused therapy, particularly regarding AMR infections, and expanding its use in these circumstances appears warranted. MT could play a vital role in conserving the efficacy of the existing pool of antimicrobials available and should be considered in the development of antimicrobial stewardship programmes. DECLARATION OF INTEREST: This work was supported by the Swansea Employability Academy, Swansea University (internal funding). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Patient safety culture as a space of social struggle: understanding infection prevention practice and patient safety culture within hospital isolation settings - a qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: In recent times, infection prevention and patient safety have become a global health policy priority with thought being given to understanding organisational culture within healthcare, and of its significance in initiating sustained quality improvement within infection prevention and patient safety. This paper seeks to explore the ways in which engagement of healthcare workers with infection prevention principles and practices, shape and inform patient safety culture within the context of hospital isolation settings; and vice-versa. RESEARCH METHODS: In this paper, we utilise focus group interviews at two hospital sites within one health board in order to engage healthcare staff in elaborating on their understandings of infection prevention practices and patient safety culture within isolation settings in their organisation. Focus group transcripts were analysed inductively using thematic analysis in order to identify and develop emerging empirical themes. RESULTS: Positioned against a background of healthcare restructuring and ever-increasing uncertainty, our study found two very different hospitals in regard to patient safety culture and infection prevention practice. While one hospital site embodies a mixed picture in regard to patient safety culture, the second hospital is best characterised as being highly fragmented. The utilisation of focus group interviews revealed themes that capture the ways in which interviewees position and understand the work they perform within the broader structural, political and cultural context, and what that means for infection prevention practice and patient safety culture. CONCLUSION: Drawing on the insights of Bourdieu, this paper theorises the field of patient safety as a space of social struggle. Patient safety is thus positioned within its structural, cultural and political context, rather than as merely an epidemiological dilemma.

COVID-19 and hand hygiene: the vital importance of hand drying.

The significance of hand hygiene for preventing the transmission of microorganisms and reducing the spread of infection has been brought into sharp focus following the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In the months since the initial outbreak, international public health campaigns and practitioner education has concentrated on hand washing and hand sanitising, with very little reference to hand drying, if any at all. However, hand drying is integral to effective hand hygiene, and is important in controlling the spread of microorganisms and maintaining healthy skin integrity. This research commentary will focus on two issues of importance with regards to hand drying: microbial transmission and skin irritation, with implications for healthcare practitioners and practice considered. It is argued that a more holistic approach to hand hygiene must be the ambition if health professional and public behaviour is to become embedded and sustained.

Infection prevention control and organisational patient safety culture within the context of isolation: study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare associated infection (HCAI) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. In recent years, there have been high profile successes in infection prevention control (IPC), such as the dramatic reductions in methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bloodstream infections (which is viewed as one proxy indicator of overall harm) and Clostridium difficile in the UK. Nevertheless, HCAI remains a costly burden to health services, a source of concern to patients and the public and at present, is receiving priority from policy makers as it contributes to the global threat of antimicrobial resistance. METHODS: The study involves qualitative case studies within isolation settings at two National Health Service (NHS) district general hospitals (DGHs) in Wales, in the UK. The 18-month study incorporates Manchester Patient Safety Framework (MaPSaF) workshops with health workers and other hospital staff, in depth interviews with patients and their relative / informal carer, health workers and hospital staff, and periods of hospital ward observation. DISCUSSION: The present study aims to investigate the ways in which engagement of health workers with IPC strategies and principles, shape and inform organisational patient safety culture within the context of isolation in surgical, medical and admission hospital settings; and vice-versa. We want to understand the meaning of IPC 'ownership' for health workers; the ways in which IPC is promoted, how IPC teams operate as new challenges arise, how their effectiveness is assessed and the positioning of IPC within the broader context of organisational patient safety culture, within hospital isolation settings.

A review of isolation practices and procedures in healthcare settings.

The notion of 'isolation' in infectious diseases refers to the possibility of people known or suspected to be infected from the wider population, and has historically been used to control and prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Isolation practices in healthcare settings evolved over the 20th century resulting in a focus on the disruption of known routes of potential transmission. There was renewed attention to infection prevention and control (IPC) in the UK at the turn of the 20th century after high-profile reports acknowledged the importance of IPC as a key indicator of high-quality clinical care, and the impact of healthcare-acquired infections. There has been a shift away from isolation wards towards isolation in single rooms on general wards. For infections that are spread by the airborne, droplet or contact routes, placing the patient in single-room isolation is considered to be an important component of transmission-based precautions (TBPs). However, in practice isolation is complex and a number of challenges are involved in implementing IPC procedures.

Source isolation and patient wellbeing in healthcare settings.

Multi-resistant bacteria pose an increasing and significant challenge to public health. Isolation precautions in patients with multi-drug-resistant bacteria and other communicable infectious agents can be associated with adverse effects. Although few would dispute the need for such practices in preventing the spread of transmissible infections, patients' perspectives of isolation suggest that the imposed environment creates barriers to their physical, social and emotional needs. This article reviews the literature to uncover any reliable evidence supporting the assertion that the experience of isolation in healthcare settings impacts adversely on patient wellbeing. Database searches identified 25 relevant papers published between 1990 and 2017. A number of studies claimed to have uncovered an association between negative patient experiences and isolation.

Impact of an educational intervention on hand hygiene practice among nursing students, with a focus on hand drying efficacy.

Background: Hand hygiene and its significance for reducing the spread of infection is well evidenced and has been brought into sharp focus following the COVID-19 pandemic. Although a crucial clinical skill in ensuring safe healthcare, little is known regarding nursing students' effectiveness of hand hygiene practice. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of an educational intervention on hand hygiene practice, designed by the research team for first year pre-registration nursing students. Particular emphasis was placed upon hand drying technique and time. Methodology: 825 nursing students were observed and assessed for their hand hygiene practice in a clinical suite at a university setting. Nursing students were observed for compliance against set outcome measures involving hand hygiene preparation, hand and wrist washing technique, hand drying technique and time. Data were analysed quantitatively using SPSS. Results: The educational intervention had a significant impact on the clinical skills learning of nursing students. 779 students passed the assessment at the first attempt (94.4%). Of the 46 students that failed to meet the necessary criteria, 45 satisfied the criteria at the second attempt; giving an overall optimal compliance of 99.9%. 99.6% of students complied with recommended hand drying standards. Conclusion: This study offers an important contribution to the development and delivery of nursing education programmes. The educational intervention improved compliance with recommended hand hygiene technique and practice. Lack of attention to hand drying may negate effective hand hygiene in healthcare.

An unprecedented fall drought drives Dust Bowl-like losses associated with La Niña events in US wheat production.

Unprecedented precipitation deficits in the 2022-2023 growing season across the primary wheat-producing region in the United States caused delays in winter wheat emergence and poor crop growth. Using an integrated approach, we quantitatively unraveled a 37% reduction in wheat production as being attributable to both per-harvested acre yield loss and severe crop abandonment, reminiscent of the Dust Bowl years in the 1930s. We used random forest machine learning and game theory analytics to show that the main driver of yield loss was spring drought, whereas fall drought dominated abandonment rates. Furthermore, results revealed, across the US winter wheat belt, the La Niña phase of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), increased abandonment rates compared to the El Niño phase. These findings underscore the necessity of simultaneously addressing crop abandonment and yield decline to stabilize wheat production amid extreme climatic conditions and provide a holistic understanding of global-scale ENSO dynamics on wheat production.

Larval Therapy and Larval Excretions/Secretions: A Potential Treatment for Biofilm in Chronic Wounds? A Systematic Review.

Chronic wounds present a global healthcare challenge and are increasing in prevalence, with bacterial biofilms being the primary roadblock to healing in most cases. A systematic review of the to-date knowledge on larval therapy's interaction with chronic-wound biofilm is presented here. The findings detail how larval therapy-the controlled application of necrophagous blowfly larvae-acts on biofilms produced by chronic-wound-relevant bacteria through their principle pharmacological mode of action: the secretion and excretion of biologically active substances into the wound bed. A total of 12 inclusion-criteria-meeting publications were identified following the application of a PRISMA-guided methodology for a systematic review. The findings of these publications were qualitatively analyzed to provide a summary of the prevailing understanding of larval therapy's effects on bacterial biofilm. A further review assessed the quality of the existing evidence to identify knowledge gaps and suggest ways these may be bridged. In summary, larval therapy has a seemingly unarguable ability to inhibit and degrade bacterial biofilms associated with impaired wound healing. However, further research is needed to clarify and standardize the methodological approach in this area of investigation. Such research may lead to the clinical application of larval therapy or derivative treatments for the management of chronic-wound biofilms and improve patient healing outcomes at a time when alternative therapies are desperately needed.

Meteorological based parameters and ozone exceedances in Houston and other cities in Texas.

In the Houston-Galveston-Beaumont (HGB) region considerable scientific effort has been directed at elucidating the relationships among atmospheric circulations and urban mixed-layer ozone concentrations. These studies of the HGB region have provided guidance on the conditions that are used herein to identify specific meteorological parameters that relate with observed exceedances of the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone. These parameters were developed using 15 years of ozone concentrations and localized wind conditions enhanced by incorporating data from a private monitoring network. Using these data, several key parameters were found that described the most common meteorological conditions for an exceedance day in HGB. The most relevant parameters included: the wind direction at midnight, wind speeds from 0 to 6 LST, and the extent of wind direction rotation in a 24-hour period. These parameters, and the meteorological conditions they describe, were also found to occur in an analysis of observational data throughout the state of Texas suggesting large scale forces beyond the influence of a sea breeze. A mixed layer model was developed and shown to illustrate the large-scale synoptic forces found in the observational data. The meteorological parameters, and conditions they describe, could be part of a diagnostic model performance evaluation to assure that accurate predictions of ozone for Texas were not the result of compensating errors.Implications: This study identified meteorological-based parameters that coincided with observed exceedances of the National Ambient Air Quality Standard for ozone across the state of Texas. These parameters can be used in support of regulatory model performance evaluations to assure accuracy in predicting ozone conducive conditions. In Houston, the vast majority of meteorlogical ozone conducive days did not produce an exceedance, suggesting other as yet unidentified conditions that are necessary such as an intermittent emission of precursors.

U.S. winter wheat yield loss attributed to compound hot-dry-windy events.

Climate extremes cause significant winter wheat yield loss and can cause much greater impacts than single extremes in isolation when multiple extremes occur simultaneously. Here we show that compound hot-dry-windy events (HDW) significantly increased in the U.S. Great Plains from 1982 to 2020. These HDW events were the most impactful drivers for wheat yield loss, accounting for a 4% yield reduction per 10 h of HDW during heading to maturity. Current HDW trends are associated with yield reduction rates of up to 0.09 t ha-1 per decade and HDW variations are atmospheric-bridged with the Pacific Decadal Oscillation. We quantify the "yield shock", which is spatially distributed, with the losses in severely HDW-affected areas, presumably the same areas affected by the Dust Bowl of the 1930s. Our findings indicate that compound HDW, which traditional risk assessments overlooked, have significant implications for the U.S. winter wheat production and beyond.

A scoping review on the influential cognitive constructs informing public AMR behavior compliance and the attribution of personal responsibility.

BACKGROUND: Antibiotic resistance is a growing threat to public health. Despite various attempts at educating the public on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and judicial antibiotic use, fallacies and misconceptions remain. To successfully promote behavior change, various cognitive constructs pertaining to antibiotic behavior need to be identified and targeted. METHODS: Using the Arksey and O'Malley (2005) methodological framework, a credible reflexive examination of literature was conducted, permitting identification of a breadth of literature that pertained to the influence of cognitive constructs on public antimicrobial behavior. RESULTS: From 393 abstracts identified, 67 full articles were screened, and 43 papers were chosen for review. Three themes were identified (1) sociodemographic influences; (2) knowledge, misconceptions, and fallacies; and (3) public attitudes and the social influence of friends and family. Geographical location, education level, cognitive dissonance, and social norms were found to influence AMR cognition, resulting in disproportionate risk assessments that are facilitated by social information brokering. CONCLUSIONS: Public AMR resilience, responsibility, and behavior compliance are influenced by cognitive constructs, which are liable to the appropriation of misconceptions, fallacies, and social behavior models obtained via information brokering. A cohesive multidisciplinary participatory approach to AMR management and interventional design that applies the influence of cognitive constructs to inform public AMR behavior compliance is recommended.

A scoping review to assess the impact of public education campaigns to affect behavior change pertaining to antimicrobial resistance.

BACKGROUND: Years of global antibiotic misuse has led to the progression of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), posing a direct threat to public health. To impact AMR and maintain antimicrobial viability, educational interventions toward fostering positive AMR behavior change have been employed with some success. METHODS: This scoping review sought to identify research-supporting use of public educational AMR campaigns, and their efficacy toward informing positive AMR behaviors to inform current debate. To enable credible and reflexive examination of a wide variety of literature, Arksey and O'Malley's (2005) methodological framework was used. RESULTS: Three primary themes were identified: (1) behavior change and theoretical underpinnings, (2) intervention paradigm, and (3) educational engagement. From 94 abstracts identified, 31 articles were chosen for review. More attention is required to identify elements of intervention design that inform and sustain behavior change, and the impact of how an intervention is delivered and targeted is needed to limit assumptions of population homogeneity, which potentially limits intervention efficacy. Moreover, research on the impact of hospital-based inpatient interventions is needed. CONCLUSIONS: The existing body of research fails to provide robust evidence to support sound evidential interventions supported by theoretical justifications. Furthermore, interventions to ensure long-term sustained behavior change are unclear and not addressed.

The neglected element of hand hygiene - significance of hand drying, efficiency of different methods and clinical implication: A review.

Hand hygiene is a fundamental strategy for controlling the spread of infection. Careful hand drying is integral to the process of hand hygiene, which aims to optimise the removal of potentially pathogenic microorganisms. Ineffective hand drying results in wet hands that are an infection risk increasing the potential for cross-infection, occupational contact dermatitis for healthcare practitioners, harm to patients and environmental contamination. Evidence indicates that there has been limited research regarding the significance of hand drying and the efficacy and clinical impact of different drying methods. The purpose of this review paper was to scope and evaluate the existing literature pertaining to hand drying; to examine the clinical consequences associated with wet hands for patients, healthcare practitioners and the clinical environment; to assess the efficacy of different drying methods; to consider the impact on patient safety; and to progress the research, debate and practice relating to hand drying. The methodological framework applied in this review was that of Arksey and O'Malley (2007). Twenty-one papers identified from 112 abstracts screened were included in the review. Analysis identified three primary themes emerging from the literature: (1) efficacy of hand drying methods; (2) drying method and microbial translocation, dispersion and environmental contamination; and (3) drying methods and environmental sustainability. This review highlights the equal importance of hand drying in the process of hand hygiene and suggests that the efficacy of hand drying is a critical factor in the prevention of the transfer of microorganisms to the environment, and from person to person following hand washing. In conclusion, this paper argues that greater attention needs to be given to hand drying in terms of practice, policy and research and its importance in clinical settings given greater focus.

The stigmatisation of source isolation: a literature review.

BACKGROUND: Isolation precautions in patients with multi-drug-resistant bacteria and other communicable infectious agents can be associated with adverse effects. Patients' perspectives of isolation suggest that the imposed environment and procedures create barriers to their physical, social and emotional needs. AIMS: The purpose of this paper is to review the literature to uncover any reliable evidence supporting the assertion that stigma is a significant characteristic of the experience of source isolation in healthcare settings. METHODS: The methodological framework of Arksey and O'Malley was applied to this review. A total of 14 papers identified from 189 abstracts screened were included in the review. RESULTS: The research reviewed suggests a clear association between stigmatisation and isolation in which stigma does have a direct negative effect on patients placed in hospital isolation. None of the studies found evidence to the contrary. CONCLUSIONS: The implications of this literature review for policy-makers and healthcare professionals suggest that when isolation or other forms of constraint are implemented and in use, patients must be provided with strengthened forms of support, including social and emotional support, and given access to healthcare of optimal quality to prevent the associated adverse effects of isolation as much as possible.

Review of personal protection equipment used in practice.

Standard precautions offer a consistent approach to infection control that does not rely on knowledge or suspicion of infection, and contributes to staff and patient safety by reducing the risk of exposure to potentially infectious material. One of the cornerstones of standard precautions is the appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) whenever contact with blood or body fluids is anticipated. However, evidence suggests that compliance with standard precautions including correct use of PPE is inadequate. Demographic and epidemiological changes in the U.K., and the drive to provide more complex patient care outside acute hospitals may lead to increased infection risks for both patients and community healthcare workers. This review examines the importance and use of PPE by community nurses and discusses the implications for practice of poor compliance with standard precautions. Recommendations for practice will be made aimed at improving compliance with this important element of standard precautions.

Review of standard precautions and sharps management in the community.

Standard precautions are imperative for staff and patient safety and provide a basis for sound infection control practice in all health-care settings. One key element of these precautions relates to the safe handling and management of sharps to prevent occupational acquisition of blood-borne viral infection. Many inoculation injuries could be avoided by following standard precautions whenever contact with blood or body fluids is anticipated. However, evidence suggests that compliance with standard precautions is inadequate. With the modernization of the health service in the UK, community health care is becoming more complex, potentially increasing the risk of inoculation injury to community nurses. Although compliance with standard precautions in hospitals is well documented, there is limited research specific to community nurses. This review examines compliance with standard precautions by community nurses and discusses some strategies aimed at improving compliance with one of the key elements of standard precautions, i.e. sharps management.

A comparative review of clinical governance arrangements in the UK.

This article provides a comparative review of the interpretation and implementation of clinical governance frameworks within the four home countries of the UK--England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. Clinical governance has become one of most significant and important concepts in modern health care. The article considers the policy background and the many definitions of clinical governance, but specifically compares the various strategic and operational approaches to delivery of clinical governance in different parts of the UK. It is suggested that these variations in approach, by each of the four UK countries, can lead to confusion for healthcare professionals in trying to understand, implement and monitor elements of clinical governance in practice.

Examining the validity of pressure ulcer risk assessment scales: a replication study.

Risk assessment scales (RASs) intended to identify patients most at risk of developing pressure ulcers have been widely used for many years. Numerous studies have evaluated their predictive validity but potential bias has been inherent in the design of all. To overcome these problems a simulation study was conducted in which clinical nurses were asked to identify the degree of risk experienced by four patients employing the three RASs discussed most frequently in the literature (Norton, Braden and Waterlow Scores). These findings were compared with nurses' clinical judgment rated on a visual analogue scale. The simulations consisted of high-resolution photographs accompanied by case studies of the patients. The nurses' scores were compared to estimates of risk generated by an expert panel. Nurses' clinical judgment agreed much more closely with expert opinion than any of the RASs. A replication study was undertaken to confirm these findings. One hundred and fifteen nurses participated in replication. Again the nurses' clinical judgment matched expert opinion much more closely than the results of the RASs. Replication also drew attention to a number of methodological issues which deserve consideration when using simulation to test the effectiveness of clinical tools and the need to establish adequate measures of external validity whenever use of this method is contemplated.