NHS Tayside outline local programmes for tackling HAI ( hospital acquired infection)
Marlyn Glen has been informed by NHS Tayside of their local programmes to tackle HAI ( hospital acquired infection) across Tayside.
In a letter to Ms. Glen, NHS Tayside Chair , Peter Bates, listed measures such as :
*The appointment of an infection control nurse with a specific remit for central line surveillance and management, looking at ways to reduce infections to reduce peripheral intravascular catheters and urinary catheters.
*The introduction of a balanced scorecard for key improvement targets e.g. reduction in the number of news cases of C difficile, MRSA, needlestick injuries, surgical site infections, central lines infection, ventilator pneumonias and the completion of those who have started the Cleanliness Champions programme
Mr Bates said,
"There are always plans to keep hygiene compliance top of the list, so locally we have got "footprints" for floors to guide visitors to the gel stations and are looking at audio and visual reminders, and introducing hand wipes for patients who are unable to get to sinks."
He cited other important aspects in dealing with HAI as :
*Good infection control staffing which allows audit, surveillance and education to back up policy and procedure e.g. hand-washing.
*A ring-fenced budget for infection controlled issue allocated according to infection control priorities.
*Clinical buy-in to the issue of HAI – when given local responsibility, some local medical teams have taken the issue on board and worked through their own excellent programmes.
*Funding of staff to do surveillance as an additional duty rather than as just another task.
Ms. Glen congratulated NHS Tayside for its " comprehensive approach towards tackling HAI ."
She said,
" It is a highly expensive problem for the NHS, much of which could be avoided by compliance with agreed practice.
" The collection and publication of data on HAI has been significant in promoting the need for better infection controls.
"Control of HAI involves everyone and not just health professionals"
Mr. Bates said that the current rate of MRSA infection had fallen from a peak in mid –2004.
New MRSA identifications was influenced by the increasing admission screening done in many of the more high risk areas.
"This means that the increase in numbers may be due to better surveillance rather than to deteriorating infection standards, " he said.
In 2004 there were 795 new cases, in 2005 999, and in 2006 941.
Regarding C difficile, Mr. Bates said that in common with the rest of Scotland and the UK, Tayside has seen an increase in cases over the first quarter of 2007 the reason is not known.
"In October 2006 there were 47 cases, December 2006 38, January 2007 59, and March 2007 55."