The Infection Prevention and Control (IPaC) team is part of Health and Care Jersey (HCJ). We work across hospital and community settings to reduce the spread of infectious diseases and create safer environments for our staff, patients, and the public.
Infections can spread easily in healthcare settings and may cause serious illness. Preventing infections protects vulnerable patients and helps ensure safe, high-quality care.
If you're visiting someone in hospital, especially a high-risk patient, it's important to follow simple precautions to help keep everyone safe:
Hand hygiene is the most effective way to prevent infection.
Use soap and warm water or alcohol-based hand gel. Alcohol gel is effective on clean hands but not suitable for visibly dirty hands or against certain organisms like C. diff and Norovirus
Maintaining a clean and clutter-free bed space helps reduce the risk of infection.
Patients:
- keep personal items to a minimum
- avoid placing items on shared surfaces
- remove shoes or slippers before getting into bed
- don't sit on other patients' beds or touch medical equipment
Visitors:
- don't sit on the patient's bed or place feet on it
- don't touch medical equipment or wound dressings
Infection types and risks
Healthcare-Associated Infections (HCAIs)
HCAIs develop during a hospital stay or after receiving medical treatment. They're not present at admission and usually appear within 30 days of surgery or contact with medical equipment.
Common HCAIs Include:
- Surgical Site Infections (SSIs)
- Urinary Tract Infections, often linked to catheter use
- Pneumonia, especially in ventilated patients
- Bloodstream Infections, often from IV lines
The most common HCAIs are caused by organisms such as:
- Clostridium difficile (C. diff): A bacterium that can cause severe diarrhoea and bowel inflammation, often linked to antibiotic use.
- Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA): A resistant strain of staph bacteria that can cause serious infections in wounds, the bloodstream, and lungs.
- Methicillin-Sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA): A more treatable strain of staph that can still lead to serious infections.
- Escherichia coli (E. coli): A bacterium commonly found in the gut that can cause urinary tract infections and bloodstream infections.
- Klebsiella and Pseudomonas: Opportunistic bacteria that can cause pneumonia, bloodstream infections, and infections in surgical wounds or around catheters.
These pathogens can cause life-threatening damage if not addressed. Infections transmitted through contact with infected persons and surfaces may require contact tracing.
If you think you may have developed an infection after a hospital visit, seek advice immediately. Contact the IPaC Nurse dierectly on +44 (0) 1534 443085.
Community-Acquired Infections (CAIs)
CAIs are contracted outside healthcare settings and usually appear before admission or within 48 hours of admission for unrelated reasons.
They can spread through:
- person-to-person contact
- contaminated food or water
- insect or animal bites
- poor hygiene or sanitation
Examples include:
- flu
- pneumonia
- botulism
- urinary tract infections
Prevention measures may include practicing good hand hygiene; following travel advice; keeping vaccinations up to date; safe food handling and consuming only clean water.
Treatment may include antibiotics, antivirals, or hospitalisation.
Surgical Site Infections (SSIs)
SSIs affect the wound or surrounding area after an operation. They can cause pain, delay recovery, and may require further treatment.
Symptoms include:
- redness or swelling around the wound
- green or yellow coloured discharge
- fever or feeling generally unwell
Tell your GP if you suspect an infection. A swab may be taken and antibiotics prescribed.
Prevention includes good hygiene, regularly monitoring the wound, and seeking early medical advice.
Seasonal flu
Flu is primarily an illness that appears in autumn and winter. Flu can leave you so tired and sick that you may need to stay in bed, or it can also lead to serious complications, including hospitalisation and in some cases may be fatal.
Common symptoms of seasonal flu include:
- sudden high temperature
- headache and general aches and pains
- tiredness
- a sore throat
- cough
- loss of appetite
- nausea
Flu medicine can ease symptoms and shorten your illness, but we still recommend getting your flu vaccine. You can get the flu vaccine from your GP.
Find more information About the flu vaccine and who it's for.
Flu vaccinations for HCJ staff
The IPaC team runs a flu vaccination campaign every year for Health and Care Jersey staff. It usually takes place from late September to early November at the General Hospital.
You can book a short appointment at a time that suits you using the Microsoft Bookings app. Details will be shared by the IPaC team.
Infection response and reporting
Outbreak management
An outbreak is when 2 or more people have the same infection and there is a link between them, such as being on the same ward, in a care home, school or community setting.
The IPaC team
- investigates outbreaks
- provides tailored advice
- coordinates testing and vaccination
- supports communication with staff, families, and the public
If you suspect an outbreak:
- report it to the IPaC team
- follow their isolation and hygiene guidance
- keep records of affected individuals
- cooperate with contact tracing and infection control measures
More information:
Notifiable diseases
Some infectious diseases must be reported to Public Health because they pose a risk to human health.
Examples include:
- Measles
- Mumps
- Rubella
- Diphtheria
- Chickenpox
- Tuberculosis
- COVID-19
- food poisoning
Only registered medical practitioners are legally required to report these diseases. For urgent cases, call the Hospital switchboard on +44 (0) 1534 442000.
For more information visit:
Tuberculosis (TB)
TB is an infectious disease that can spread through the air when someone with pulmonary TB coughs, sneezes or speaks. It develops slowly and may not show symptoms for weeks.
Certain groups are more vulnerable to TB infection including:
- infants and young children
- older adults
- people with weakened immune systems
TB symptoms and risks
Cough is the most obvious symptom and tends to continue for months. The cough usually becomes more productive over time, and you may notice blood stained sputum.
Other symptoms include:
- fever
- sweats
- weight loss
- malaise
- pains in the chest
- poor appetite
If you’ve lived with someone or had close contact with someone who has active TB, you may be at risk. Contact your GP or the IPaC team for advice. You might be offered tests to check for infection.
Testing for TB
A blood test may be arranged to see how your immune system responds to TB bacteria. This can show if you have a hidden infection, even if you don’t have symptoms.
If you don’t have symptoms, you’ll usually have a chest X-ray about 2 to 3 months after contact. TB develops slowly and may not show up earlier.
If TB isn’t treated, it can cause serious problems. For example, fluid can build up around the lungs making it hard to breathe.
Antibiotic use and resistance
Antibiotics treat bacterial infections, but if they’re used too often or in the wrong way, bacteria can become resistant. This means the antibiotics may stop working.
Doctors in Jersey follow NHS guidance. They may not prescribe antibiotics if your symptoms are caused by a virus or if you’ve recently taken antibiotics.
The hospital pharmacy will only give antibiotics if you have a valid prescription. If you’re unsure, speak to your GP or pharmacist for advice.
To find out more visit the Antibiotic resistance webpage.
Managing exposure to blood and body fluids
Any exposure to blood or body fluids should be taken seriously and includes:
- blood
- saliva or saliva associated with dentistry
- semen
- vaginal fluid
- blood-stained urine
- vomit
- faeces
it may carry a risk of transmitting viruses such as:
- Hepatitis B
- Hepatitis C
- HIV
A significant exposure can happen in several ways:
- a cut or puncture from something sharp, like a needle, instrument, bone fragment, or a bite that breaks the skin
- contact with broken skin, such as cuts, grazes, or eczema
- splashes of blood or other high-risk body fluids into the eyes, mouth, or other mucous membranes
If you’re exposed to blood or body fluids:
- let the wound bleed under running water, don’t squeeze or suck it
- wash the area with soap and water, but don’t scrub as this can cause irritation
If you work for Health and Care Jersey (HCJ):
- after first aid, tell your line manager straight away
- contact the staff immunisation team email at h.immunisation@gov.je or call +44 (0) 1534 442117
- go to the Emergency Department.
- complete a Datix so follow-up care can be arranged.
If you’re not HCJ staff:
- go to the Emergency Department for advice and treatment.
- act quickly to reduce the risk of infection and make sure you get the right care.
Further information on exposure, support and testing can be found at:
Needlestick injuries
Needlestick injuries involve accidental puncture from a sharp object that has been in contact with blood or bodily fluids.
This includes:
- hypodermic needles
- syringes
- scalpels
- broken glass
- tattoo needles or dental tools
- laboratory sharps such as pipette tips, microscope slides
If you experience any needlestick injury or accidental exposure to blood and body fluid:
- immediately clean the site
- attend the Emergency Department (ED)
The ED will let you know what you need to do next.
Needle Exchange Service
Sterile injecting equipment is available through the Needle Exchange Service. Used needles must be disposed of in designated sharps bins.
Learn more about:
gov.je