ICNA regional workshops — using national evidence-based guidelines to reduce the risk of catheter-related urinary tract infections: report of post-workshop activities and outcomes

Abstract

ollowing the publication in 2001 of national evidence-based guidelines for preventing healthcare-associated infections, a series of one-day workshops were conducted throughout ICNA regions. These aimed to support key healthcare professionals to use the guidelines as a catalyst to develop local strategies to promote clinical effectiveness and reduce the incidence of catheter-associated urinary tract infections in acute care settings. Almost 600 practitioners attended these highly interactive workshops and positively evaluated this opportunity to have a structured day out to reflect on current infection prevention practice and to develop quality improvement plans.

A follow-up questionnaire to participants demonstrated that respondents engaged in a wide range of post-workshop activities, including policy review and development, audit, in-service education, and establishing various working groups to identify and plan for changes in local guidelines and in clinical practice. Most respondents reported achievements in the objectives of their quality improvement plan. The format of these workshops, set within the context of clinical governance, can be adapted to other key areas of infection prevention and control practice, and is recommended.