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A plan for action
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Last modified date:5 October 2007
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
Empowering patients and being open with the public are top of the agenda
Empowering patients and being open with the public are top of the agenda. Patients will be encouraged to feel able to check NHS staff have washed their hands. Patient forums will be invited to inspect four times a year, and rates of MRSA will be made easily available to everyone.
In the NHS, a Matron's Charter is being developed to strengthen cleaning teams and ensure patients' views are heard. Nurses will also receive checklists to help them assess compliance with hygiene and decontamination policies.
Independent inspection will track progress, as cleanliness contributes to the Healthcare Commission's annual star ratings. Cleanliness and infection control are also included in the new National Healthcare Standards to be monitored by the Healthcare Commission.
Towards cleaner hospitals also puts MRSA at the forefront of research and learning in the NHS. Summits later in 2004 will gather together international healthcare professionals to discuss infection control.
Winning ways
- active surveillance and investigation
- reducing the infection risk from use of catheters, tubes, cannulae, instruments and other devices
- reducing reservoirs of infection
- high standards of hygiene in clinical practice
- prudent use of antibiotics
- management and organisation
- research and development.
Additional links
Related Links
Clean, Safe Care
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NHS Infection Control Programme
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