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Healthcare associated infection
Healthcare associated infections - for instance, infections caught from other patients during a hospital stay - are a serious concern. Documents produced by the Communicable Diseases Branch, independent advisory committees and others, aimed primarily at health professionals.
Latest news
16 January 2008
This letter sets out the new requirements for the reporting of C. difficile cases by acute Trusts from 1st January 2008 and the need for Trusts to review data entered onto the web-based system since its introduction by 10th March 2008.
11 January 2008
9 January 2008
This document draws together recent initiatives to tackle healthcare associated infections and improve cleanliness and details new areas where the NHS should consider investing to ensure that patients receive clean and safe treatment whenever and wherever they are treated by the NHS.
18 December 2007
This paper presents an analysis of the contribution of organisational factors, such as bed occupancy rates, cleanliness and use of temporary staffing, to understand the variations in MRSA rates between different hospitals. The paper also examines how these relationships may have changed over time.
17 September 2007
The possibility of transmitting infections via uniforms is an important issue for employers, staff and patients. This document outlines the existing legal requirements and current findings, to support and advise employers when reviewing local policies in this area.
11 April 2007
A web-based system for the surveillance of Clostridium difficile associated diarrhoea (CDAD) is being introduced in April 2007 and Trusts will have to enter all cases in individuals aged two years and over on to this new system (subject to Review of Central Returns (ROCR) approval).
A plan for action
Towards cleaner hospitals and lower rates of infection and Winning ways are two key policy documents that set out a strategy to improve hospital cleanliness and tackle hospital acquired infections.
Towards cleaner hospitals and lower rates of infection programme
Programme that sets out a strategy to improve hospital cleanliness and tackle healthcare associated infections. Key elements include empowering patients and the public, the matron's charter, independent inspection and learning from the best.
Simple guides
Outline information on MRSA and Clostridium difficile
Check infection rates at your local hospital
Results of surveillance systems for MRSA, CDAD and GRE.
- MRSA surveillance system: Results
- Surveillance of surgical site infection in orthopaedic surgery: Mandatory surveillance of surgical site infection in orthopaedic surgery: Report of data collected between April 2004 and March 2005
- Surveillance of Clostridium difficile associated disease (CDAD)
- Surveillance of glycopeptide-resistant enterococci (GRE)
Healthcare associated infection publications
Documents about healthcare associated infections, principally for health professionals.
Healthcare associated infection links
Websites and DH resources about healthcare associated infections.
Additional links
Related Links
MRSA on NHS Direct Online
The MRSA entry in NHS Direct Online's health encyclopaedia.
Health Protection Agency
To protect people’s health in England and Wales.
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