on safe nursing levels without taking into account the types of people being cared for? It goes without saying that inpatients with complex clinical and social needs will require more nursing time and input. Those with less complex needs will require less time and fewer interventions. 

 When it comes to addressing safe hospital staffing levels, the managers and clinical leads responsible for staffing, budgets and service provision need to look closely at the types of patients being cared for in each clinical area rather than simply the number of them. Safe, effective, compassionate, holistic and appropriate nursing care and staffing levels should always focus on the needs of the patients – not just the numbers. Donato Tallo, by email

NURSING STAFF CAN BE A SOURCE OF CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE INFECTION In their article on nursing considerations in clostridium difficile infection (Art & Science July 23), Brett Mitchell et al note: ‘There are many aspects to the prevention and control of c. difficile infection: appropriate antibiotic use, early instigation and maintenance of prevention and control strategies, and high standards of environmental cleanliness, education, and surveillance.’ Nurses have an important role to play in all of these areas. They need to have good knowledge of infection control and training in the management of infections such as c. difficile. Paying attention to the health of employees is another key prevention and control strategy. C. difficile is an emerging epidemic in care homes, as well as hospitals. It has a significant effect on patient outcomes and health service resources. Care homes, in particular, need to be supported in their efforts to cut this type of infection.

NURSING STANDARD

Nurses in hospitals and the community can educate patients and their visitors about c. difficile, including hand hygiene and how they can use personal protection equipment correctly. Another important factor, which is often overlooked, is that nurses can be a source of infection (Friedman ND et al [2013] Prevalence of Clostridium difficile colonization among healthcare workers. BMC Infectious Diseases. Oct 4, 13, 459). Sim Sai Tin, professor, Medical Center, Shantou, and Viroj Wiwanitkit, visiting professor, Hainan Medical University, China

LLANDOUGH HOSPITAL SEPTEMBER 1974 SET PLANS 40-YEAR REUNION We are planning a 40-year reunion of the September 1974 set at Llandough Hospital, Penarth, and would love to see all our old friends there. We are trying to trace Michelle Carter, Loraine David and Catherine Parker, who trained with us. We believe that Michelle is working in north Wales as a state enrolled nurse and that Loraine and Catherine are living in south Wales. If you have any information or want further details, please email me at [email protected] Kathleen Robinson (Coole), by email

BARTS HOSPITAL OCTOBER 1989 SET WANTS TO TRACE THREE MEMBERS We are planning a 25th anniversary reunion of the October 1989 set at Barts Hospital, London, and looking to contact three members of the set: Victoria Whitworth, Susan Brooks and Mary O’Callaghan. Can you please help with this? I can be contacted at melanei@ melanei.orangehome.co.uk Melanie Harwood, by email

TWEETS OF THE WEEK Breaking bad news provides excellent practical advice and guidance on a crucially important aspect of patient care #NursingJC @NSclinicalEd

@NScomment Fractured relationships can occur when there is a difference in opinion between MDT members over info given #NursingJC @ClareWarnock

@ClareWarnock Do staff often disagree over how much info should be given to patients? #NursingJC @Janet_Snell

@Janet_Snell @ClareWarnock I’ve seen this, again a case of fear about removing hope #NursingJC @MsNaughtyCheese

Breaking bad news appropriately and at the right time may help many patients get the most out of the time they have left @NursingHarrow

How has stress affected your mental health? What causes it for you? Tweet us so we can include it here bit.ly/X358X8 @MindCharity

NHS sickness rates are falling, but is this partly because more staff are fearful of being off work? tinyurl.com/lzwezs7 @rogerkline

REUNIONS Are you planning a reunion or trying to trace former colleagues? Email [email protected] with the details and we will post them at www.nursing-standard.co.uk

Follow Nursing Standard @NScomment and join the #NScomment chat on Thursdays at 12.30pm august 6 :: vol 28 no 49 :: 2014  35 

Nursing Standard 2014.28:35-35. Downloaded from journals.rcni.com by Monash University on 11/15/15. For personal use only.

Nursing staff can be a source of Clostridium difficile infection.

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