Report warns of an increase in healthcare associated infections

A report published by The Health Foundation shows new infections of the more resistant strains of bacteria are on the rise

A recently published report by The Health Foundation which looked into Infection prevention and control shows that there has been a reduction in MRSA bloodstream infections and cases of Clostridium difficile infection, however new infections such as the more resistant strains of bacteria are on the rise posing a threat to healthcare.

Professor Alison Holmes, Director of the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare Associated Infection and Antimicrobial Resistance and Dr Raheelah Ahmad, Health Management Lead within the NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare Associated Infection and Antimicrobial Resistance have contributed to the report titled ‘Infection prevention and control: lessons from acute care in England’.

The report findings are based on a large research study that identified and consolidated published evidence about infection prevention and control initiatives. The researchers synthesised this with findings from qualitative case studies in two large NHS hospitals, including the perspectives of service users.

The report considers what has been learned from the infection prevention and control work carried out over the last 15 years in hospitals in England. It looks at the lessons learned and outlines future directions for effective infection prevention and control:

•  Measures for infection prevention and control need to be appropriate and responsive. 
•  Infection prevention and control should remain central to inspection and regulation.
• All national-level campaigns require an explicit framework underpinning how the campaign is intended to work and must be accompanied by an evaluation strategy.
• Hospitals must have the structural and cultural capacity to deliver effective infection prevention and control and antibiotic usage.
• Trusts need to ensure that the goals for infection prevention and control and patient safety are integrated and aligned at the clinical front line.
• Clinical and managerial leaders of infection prevention and control are needed at all levels in the organisation.
• Define the role of the public before they become patients.
• A whole health economy approach is needed for infection prevention and control in future.