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The UK’s Department of Health (DH) has launched a drive to educate NHS staff about the dangers of using antibiotics incorrectly.
The online video service, produced with the BMJ, will advise doctors and nurses on the best ways to tackle Clostridium difficile infections.
Videos will depict a patient’s experience of contracting C difficile and how the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Trust managed to control an outbreak.
Healthcare workers will also be asked questions on the footage to assess whether they have understood the issues.
The DH expects more than 10,000 members of staff will complete the 40-minute module before the end of the year.
It is hoped staff will then have a clearer knowledge of how to diagnose and treat C difficile patients, the importance of hand hygiene in preventing infection, and reasons to be cautious over using antibiotics.
Chief Nursing Officer Christine Beasley said “Staff must understand the causes of infections and learn the lessons from outbreaks in order to prevent other outbreaks in the future.
“This module is a very useful addition to staff training and is based on one trust’s success in controlling infections.
“Royal Devon and Exeter have made some excellent progress on C difficile infection, and the staff involved should be congratulated. This video provides other trusts with a resource to help them do the same.”
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Department of Health: www.dh.gov.uk/en/index.htm
