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Microbiology and infection control
Microbiology is the branch of biology that studies micro organisms (bacteria and viruses) and their effects on humans. In England, the identification of human diseases caused by micro organisms is mostly undertaken in hospital laboratories.
Biography of Professor Brian Duerden, Inspector of Microbiology and Infection Control, with information on his current role.
The role of Microbiology and Infection Control services in England.
With the creation of the Health Protection Agency in 2003 and the transfer of most former public health laboratories to management by their NHS Trusts, the delivery of much of the basic information for surveillance and outbreak investigation aspects of public health microbiology became the responsibility of NHS Trust laboratories.
Bugalert
8 December 2006: Laboratory-acquired TB infection following a needlestick injury
A microbiology laboratory has reported a needlestick injury to the palm of the hand that occurred while sub-culturing a known-positive BacT/ALERT TB culture bottle when working in a safety cabinet.
8 December 2006: Healthcare associated infections, in particular infection caused by Clostridium difficile
Letter from the Chief Medical Officer, Chief Nursing Officer, Chief Pharmaceutical Officer and the Chief Executive of the NHS to all Trust, PCT and SHA Chief Executives.
13 November 2006: Suspected blood culture contamination problem (Paecilomyces variotii)
Laboratories who have identified this mould since the beginning of July 2006 are kindly requested to contact Colin Campbell at the Centre for Infections tel: 020 8327 7146. Laboratories should carefully question the clinical significance of any Paecilomyces spp. identified
The new 'green book' guidance on immunisation has been published on the DH website. It is available in electronic format for direct reference and for downloading, but will not be distributed in hard copy to Microbiology Laboratories. Laboratories may find it helpful to download a copy for their reference/on call files so that the guidance is readily available.
The Chief Medical Officer’s strategy for combating infectious diseases, ‘Getting Ahead of the Curve’, led to the creation of the Health Protection Agency (HPA), but also identified that every NHS Microbiology laboratory had a public health role.
Our programme objectives are to significantly reduce MRSA bateraemias and other HCAIs, to improve cleanliness and to increase patient and public confidence in our health service.
The directory lists all NHS microbiology laboratories in England, based on region. Contact details of key individuals and non-NHS laboratories are also listed.
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