Website of the Department of Health
Please note that this website has a UK government access keys system.
Page menu
You are here:
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
11 June 2009
The National Quality Board are overseeing the development of a new MRSA Objective, and are running a stakeholder engagement activity from 10 June to 24 July 2009. We welcome your views on our proposal.
21 May 2009
21 April 2009
16 March 2009: Current guidance on infection control in non-acute settings
The new non-acute standard contracts require plans for controlling HCAIs. Our guidance on infection control in non-acute settings is set out in Essential Steps, and provides useful information for creating and implementing these new plans. Essential Steps is designed as a framework to support local organisations providing and commissioning services outside the acute hospital setting. Its primary focus is health care, but it will also be of interest to those providing social care.
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.
MRSA Screening - Operational Guidance 2
This guidance is to support NHS trusts, (including Primary Care Trusts and NHS Foundation Trusts) in introducing MRSA screening for all elective patients by the end of March 2009.
Access keys
