NHS staff briefed on new infection control

Friday, 15 October 2004 12:00 AM

NHS Directors have this week been briefed on new procedures to tackle infections in hospitals and reduce rates of MRSA.

Official estimates put the number of deaths from hospital infections at around 5000 per year, although campaigners said yesterday that the real figure was closer to 20,000.

At the first national conferences for directors of infection prevention and control in Leeds and London, delegates were briefed on their new powers to ensure local action.

They were instructed to challenge hygiene practice and prescribing decisions, increase training, enforce rigorous procedures for hand hygiene and ensure the sterility of invasive equipment such as catheters.

These new powers "will deliver infection control at hospital and ward level", the Department of Health (DoH) said today.

It reported that the directors are keen to form a national network for Infection Control that would back up the work they do locally and be a forum to share best practice.

"This conference is part of an NHS-wide campaign to reduce levels of hospital infections to the lowest possible levels," said Health Secretary John Reid.

"To achieve this, we need to drive home the fact that prevention is everybody's business; not just the specialists."

Tags: