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Article
Publication date: 1 June 2006

Chris Griffith

Hospital cleaning and healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) continue to attract adverse media attention and consumer concern. Parallels exist with similar publicity relating to…

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Abstract

Purpose

Hospital cleaning and healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) continue to attract adverse media attention and consumer concern. Parallels exist with similar publicity relating to cleaning and food safety in the food industry almost 13 years earlier. This paper examines some of the management solutions developed in the food industry, and discusses their application to healthcare delivery.

Design/methodology/approach

The food industry is managing food safety by adopting a dual approach based on pre‐requisite programmes and Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP). How these differ is described and how the approaches and terminology can be adapted for use in healthcare is discussed.

Findings

The food industry is moving towards external certification of safety using national and international standards. The HACCP approach, a management tool and a central requirement of these standards, is evolving and there is interest worldwide from the healthcare community. Its application to the decontamination of endoscopes, using conventional HACCP, is presented, as well as suggestions for a simplified format for managing patient‐related procedures. Taking this type of approach to the management of HCAIs could provide greater transparency, reduce infection rates and increase consumer confidence.

Practical implications

Potential problems in adopting HACCP, including cost and human resource, are discussed.

Originality/value

The HACCP method/approach has previously been mentioned in the medical literature but this paper is one of the few to examine, from basic principles, its infection control application within a broader approach to quality assurance.

Details

International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, vol. 19 no. 4
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0952-6862

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 January 2012

Daryl May and Michael Pitt

This paper aims to examine the policy and guidance that was issued, either as a direct result of the NHS Plan, or part of a subsequent initiative, surrounding cleaning in the NHS.

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the policy and guidance that was issued, either as a direct result of the NHS Plan, or part of a subsequent initiative, surrounding cleaning in the NHS.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature review of the Department of Health and related agency web sites was completed. In addition there was a literature review of the relevant academic journals.

Findings

There is a growing evidence base on environmental cleaning in the NHS and more specifically the relationship between environmental cleaning and infection control. This paper has examined the contradiction in the evidence in the suspected correlation between infection control and environmental cleaning. However, one thing that does appear to be consistent is that a performance measure based on an observation (visual) assessment is not a sufficient tool to evaluate the environmental cleanliness of a hospital ward.

Practical implications

While the clinical community recognise the contribution of environmental cleaning and the impact on healthcare, more needs to be done to have the relevant studies published in the FM domain. Conversely there also needs to be work done to allow the FM community to have a “voice” in the infection control journals. The literature reviewed suggests that a usable technological solution is required to confirm satisfactory cleaning standards in healthcare facilities.

Originality/value

There is relatively little published work on the importance of cleaning to operations in the NHS, particularly in the FM domain.

Details

Facilities, vol. 30 no. 1/2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-2772

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 September 2009

Reviews the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.

426

Abstract

Purpose

Reviews the latest management developments across the globe and pinpoints practical implications from cutting‐edge research and case studies.

Design/methodology/approach

This briefing is prepared by an independent writer who adds their own impartial comments and places the articles in context.

Findings

The “Design Bugs Out” project, which is part of the larger NHS and Department of Health's “HCAI (Healthcare Associated Infections) Technology Innovation Programme”, has brought designers together with clinical specialists, patients and frontline staff to test an innovative approach to procurement. The result is eleven prototypes of cutting edge designs that rethink the bedside environment, patient transport and everyday medical equipment, with the aim of helping the fight against MRSA and other (HCAIs). And, while initially intended for adoption by the NHS, these potential new products could prove viable additions for any health organization, especially given that The World Health Organization has estimated that at any given time, 1.4 million people worldwide suffer from healthcare acquired infections.

Originality/value

Provides strategic insights and practical thinking that have influenced some of the world's leading organizations.

Details

Strategic Direction, vol. 25 no. 10
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0258-0543

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 January 2023

Nur Aqlima Ramli, Emma Marinie Ahmad Zawawi, Nor Rima Muhamad Ariff and Nurul Nadiah Zainol

This study aims to identify and validate the environmental cleaning elements and performance criteria to prevent Covid-19 infection in health-care facilities.

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to identify and validate the environmental cleaning elements and performance criteria to prevent Covid-19 infection in health-care facilities.

Design/methodology/approach

Eight elements and 38 performance criteria were identified from the literature, and a questionnaire survey that involved environmental cleaning experts was carried out. Content validity index was used to validate the content of the environmental cleaning elements and performance criteria in this study.

Findings

The result indicates that the performance criteria of “Finishes, furnishings” and “Equipment Maintenance Log” were not relevant to be applied in current fighting against Covid-19 infection in health care. However, the remaining 36 performance criteria were proved as relevant and acceptable.

Practical implications

The findings of this study can provide a significant contribution to the built environment industry. By knowing the environmental cleaning elements and performance criteria, efforts can be carried out to explore measures that can be taken to improve the environmental cleaning practice in health care to battle against Covid-19 infection.

Originality/value

This paper fulfils an identified need to study how environmental cleaning can be implemented in health-care facilities.

Details

Facilities , vol. 41 no. 11/12
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-2772

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 14 April 2020

Salman Yousaf, Mohammad Zubair Tauni and Fan Xiucheng

This study aims to focus on the internal audiences of a nation brand, i.e. the citizens of a country and is built on the theoretical premise that migration intentions (MIs…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to focus on the internal audiences of a nation brand, i.e. the citizens of a country and is built on the theoretical premise that migration intentions (MIs) prevalent among the skilled and educated elite of a home country signifies a weak nation brand.

Design/methodology/approach

Through the theoretical support of the migration motive theory of push and pull (Richmond, 1993), nation branding theory (Anholt, 2006) and the two-construct country image model (Roth and Diamantopoulos, 2009), the authors constructed a framework that incorporates the relationship between affective and cognitive country images of both home and migrant country and migration motives and intentions to migrate.

Findings

The findings reveal that push and pull factors are strongly affected by the images of the home country and the migrant country, respectively and strong home country images are associated with weak MIs, while the opposite is true if a strong migrant country image is possessed. Further, evidence of the dominance effect of cognitive images in complex decision-making environments such as migration was also provided. Moreover, the results also suggest significant differences between Chinese and Pakistani respondents.

Practical implications

This study guides nation branding researchers by opening up a debate on self-images and conceptually independent attitudinal constructs of country image. For policymakers in developing countries, the results reveal that they should primarily strengthen their internal brands and focus on cognitive images to stem the flow of brain drain.

Originality/value

This study takes the traditional country image debate to migration discourse, moves it forward, contextualizes it as a function of a nation’s brand strength and provides evidence that confluence of migration studies with the theoretical stream of nation branding can provide significant explanations for migrant behavior.

Details

Journal of Product & Brand Management, vol. 30 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1061-0421

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 19 February 2024

Steven Alter

The lack of conceptual approaches for organizing and expressing capabilities, usage and impact of intelligent machines (IMs) in work settings is an obstacle to moving beyond…

Abstract

Purpose

The lack of conceptual approaches for organizing and expressing capabilities, usage and impact of intelligent machines (IMs) in work settings is an obstacle to moving beyond isolated case examples, domain-specific studies, 2 × 2 frameworks and expert opinion in discussions of IMs and work. This paper's purpose is to illuminate many issues that often are not addressed directly in research, practice or punditry related to IMs. It pursues that purpose by presenting an integrated approach for identifying and organizing important aspects of analysis and evaluation related to IMs in work settings. 

Design/methodology/approach

This paper integrates previously published ideas related to work systems (WSs), smart devices and systems, facets of work, roles and responsibilities of information systems, interactions between people and machines and a range of criteria for evaluating system performance.

Findings

Eight principles outline a straightforward and flexible approach for analyzing and evaluating IMs and the WSs that use them. Those principles are based on the above ideas.

Originality/value

This paper provides a novel approach for identifying design choices for situated use of IMs. The breadth, depth and integration of this approach address a gap in existing literature, which rarely aspires to this paper’s thoroughness in combining ideas that support the description, analysis, design and evaluation of situated uses of IMs.

Details

Information Technology & People, vol. ahead-of-print no. ahead-of-print
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0959-3845

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 18 May 2009

Gemma Stacey and Mark Cole

Health care associated infection has become a health service priority that transcends all clinical areas. Education is commonly cited as the cornerstone of effective practice on…

Abstract

Health care associated infection has become a health service priority that transcends all clinical areas. Education is commonly cited as the cornerstone of effective practice on the tacit assumption that the knowledgeable practitioner will execute their skills more effectively. Consequently, infection control training has become embedded within the pre‐registration curriculum, however, students undertaking the mental health branch have been critical of an unduly adult focus to the topic, which fails to address their specific educational requirements. An educational intervention based on a problem‐based learning approach was developed to address this contention. The intervention received a three‐way evaluation from students who attended the session, a mental health lecturer/ facilitator and an infection control educator/ adviser. The results suggest that students were able to develop salient material, which recognised the principles of infection control practice, while placing it in the context of mental health nursing. The students gave positive feedback in terms of the mode of teaching and the relevance of the content.

Details

The Journal of Mental Health Training, Education and Practice, vol. 4 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1755-6228

Keywords

Content available
Article
Publication date: 21 March 2008

155

Abstract

Details

International Journal of Health Care Quality Assurance, vol. 21 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0952-6862

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 September 2016

Susan Hopkins

– The purpose of this paper is to highlight the local, national and global actions from the UK to reduce the impact of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) on human health.

485

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the local, national and global actions from the UK to reduce the impact of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) on human health.

Design/methodology/approach

Synthesis of UK government policy, surveillance and research on AMR.

Findings

Activities that are taking place by the UK government, public health and professional organisations are highlighted.

Originality/value

This paper describes the development and areas for action of the UK AMR strategy. It highlights the many interventions that are being delivered to reduce antibiotic use and antimicrobial resistant infections.

Details

International Journal of Health Governance, vol. 21 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2059-4631

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 28 March 2023

Arif Mahmud, Mohd Najwadi Yusoff and Mohd Heikal Husin

The factors that motivate Generation Z individuals to use the Internet of Things for security purposes have yet to be explored. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to close a…

Abstract

Purpose

The factors that motivate Generation Z individuals to use the Internet of Things for security purposes have yet to be explored. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to close a research gap by verifying the protection motivation theory using gender as a moderator.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a purposive sampling approach to collect data from Dhaka city, in which 370 valid responses were selected. Additionally, the quantitative and cross-sectional survey used a seven-point Likert scale. Afterward, the evaluation approach included three phases: a measurement model, a structural model and multi-group analysis.

Findings

Vulnerability, self-efficacy and response-efficacy were discovered to be critical predictors with a variance of 60.4%. Moreover, there was a significant disparity between males and females in two relationships, response efficacy and intention as well as response cost and intention.

Practical implications

This research expands our understanding of Generation Z consumers' behavioral intentions to take measures against household threats, allowing preventative programs to be improved. Further, in the case of applying coping strategies, a practical difference between males and females has been found that must be bridged through awareness campaigns.

Originality/value

This study has made a unique contribution to the information system literature. First, the role of protection motivation theory factors in addressing security concerns in homes has been assessed. Second, the coping evaluation process has a greater impact on users' intentions than the threat appraisal process. However, males and females use slightly different approaches to defending themselves against the threat.

Details

Journal of Systems and Information Technology, vol. 25 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1328-7265

Keywords

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