Using effective hand hygiene practice to prevent and control infection.

Decontamination using hand hygiene remains one of the most important and effective methods for reducing healthcare-associated infections and cross-infection between patients. In 1860, Florence Nightingale wrote that nurses should wash their hands frequently throughout the day, demonstrating an early awareness of the effectiveness of this simple procedure. The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that effectively applied hand hygiene is a vital intervention that can be used to prevent the spread of disease.

Exploring the evidence around pre-operative fasting practices.

Presenting a patient who is adequately fasted for theatre is still a controversial issue in contemporary nursing practice. This article will explore the evidence on fasting to allow nurses to reflect upon their own practice in this area.