Charity welcomes drop in hospital infections
Age Scotland has welcomed the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate's (HEI) third annual report, which reveals that incidences of Clostridium difficile infection in the over-65 age group and meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aurus are at their lowest levels in Scottish acute hospitals since records began.
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The report, which sets out findings from 31 inspections to 31 acute hospitals and services in the 14 NHS Boards across NHS Scotland, from Stranraer to Lerwick, between October 2011 and September 2012, also highlights what is improving and what still needs to improve.
Age Scotland spokesman Lindsay Scott welcomed the report, saying: "It is important that patients, particularly those in later life, can depend upon a clean ward, spotless equipment and bedding, properly trained, attentive staff who abide by the dress code and top quality infection prevention and control so that they feel they are in a safe environment. This report details what is being done to guarantee this, and as such should be welcomed."
The report points out that although great strides were taken during the period reported on, more needs to be done in a variety of areas, such as improved communication between infection control teams, ward staff and maintenance, repair and refurbishment crews. Cleaning schedules must be strictly adhered to and their frequency must meet Scottish National Specifications and patients should be provided with the infection-related information they need in a format suitable to their situation.
Lindsay Scott said: "The next report will be telling, as from the middle of 2013, HEI will start inspecting community hospitals as well as acute ones and most inspections will be unannounced. It is gratifying to note that the focus will be on those that pose a higher potential risk to patients."
The Chief Inspector of Healthcare Improvement Scotland, Susan Brimelow, said: I am greatly encouraged by the good practice we have seen. There is still, however, more that can be done to benefit patients across Scotland and we will to inspect to drive improvements."
