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Using guidelines, policies and standards: are we in control?
1Hospital Hygiene Unit, Central Public Health Laboratory, Colindale, London, UK.
Abstract:
For the hospital microbiologist, the use of guidelines, policies and standards are an integral part of their professional duties. Both patient-related and laboratory activities involve awareness of specific procedures and the use of equipment or products which have been accepted as appropriate for a particular purpose. The means by which policy is formulated, the guidance available and the standards specified, differ widely from country to country. In the UK, there are few legal requirements or statutory regulations in this area. In consequence, there may be some differences in both the nature and the method of implementation of policies from hospital to hospital. There is increasing concern that legislation and standards produced not only by the UK but also by Europe may impose regulations on infection control and laboratory practice and in particular that such mandatory controls may have adverse effects. These are variously perceived as specifying inappropriate standards, inhibiting clinical freedom and stifling innovation. Such concern is embodied in the question 'are we in control?'.
Insights
Hospital microbiologists rely on guidelines and standards for daily practice. Concerns exist that European and UK regulations may negatively impact infection control and laboratory innovation.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Healthcare Policy
Background:
- Hospital microbiologists' duties heavily involve adhering to guidelines, policies, and standards.
- Patient care and laboratory operations require specific, accepted procedures and product usage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the formulation, availability, and specification of policies, guidance, and standards in hospital microbiology.
- To address concerns regarding the impact of UK and European legislation on infection control and laboratory practices.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of current practices in hospital microbiology concerning policy and standards.
- Review of existing and proposed UK and European legislation impacting laboratory work.
Main Results:
- Significant variation exists in policy formulation and implementation across different hospitals and countries.
- There is a perception that emerging legislation may impose inappropriate standards and stifle innovation.
Conclusions:
- The formulation and application of policies and standards in hospital microbiology are complex and vary geographically.
- There is an ongoing debate and concern about the control and impact of external regulations on clinical freedom and innovation in the field.