Critical Care Nurse Wins One of Three Marjorie Simpson New Researcher Awards for 2009.
Gillian Thompson, a member of the NI Regional Group of BACCN was presented with the Marjorie Simpson award at the RCN International Nursing Research Conference in Cardiff on Tuesday 24th March 2009. In her innovative PhD study, Gillian is evaluating the effectiveness of a tea tree oil body wash for preventing MRSA colonization in intensive care patients.
Only a small number of clinical trials have been conducted using preparations containing tea tree oil. These have established that topical formulations can eradicate MRSA skin colonization, but can it prevent colonization? Gillian is conducting a large randomized controlled trial in two intensive care units to investigate the efficacy of 5% tea tree oil body wash versus standard body wash in preventing colonization of MRSA in ICU patients. The trial is expected to end in 2010. If successful, this intervention has the potential to be implemented in any healthcare setting and make a positive impact on MRSA prevention.
30 March, 2009
