The Health Information and Quality Authority has today published draft national standards for Infection Prevention and Control in Ireland’s health and social care system for public consultation. 

The standards, developed by the Health Information and Quality Authority with the input of an expert advisory group, will provide a national framework to improve the performance of healthcare settings in order to reduce healthcare associated infections.

Twelve Infection Prevention and Control Standards have been published which address issues including governance and management; hand hygiene; device related infections, antibiotic resistance, staffing, the physical environment and disease control.

Jon Billings, Director of Healthcare Quality at The Health Information and Quality Authority said; "Infection control is one of the most effective interventions in hospital practice. It helps safeguard patients while reducing costs on the system. Healthcare associated infections are largely preventable, but it requires a comprehensive and co-ordinated approach across the healthcare setting with a culture of hygiene embedded within the organisation.

"Ireland is not alone it its fight against healthcare associated infections – they are a serious concern in every country across the world. The World Health Organization (WHO) for example, estimates that at any given point in time 1.4 million people around the world will have a healthcare associated infection. In Ireland alone the number of MRSA bloodstream infections was 526 in 2007, a drop from 572 in 2006 (HPSC).

"These standards are not just about checking hospitals on an annual basis, but should be the benchmark which all of us, providers and users, expect from our hospitals on a daily basis. That is why we are giving everyone with an interest in this area, the chance to comment." said Billings.

These are important draft standards and everyone has a right to have their view considered. Therefore, the Authority is now consulting with interested parties and the general public on the draft National Standards for Infection Prevention and Control. Information collected from this consultation will be used to inform the development of the final set of standards which will be launched later this year.

Submissions can be made to the Authority until the 18th of July 2008.

Ends.

Further Information: 

Marty Whelan, Head of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement

01 8047651 / 086 2447623 mwhelan@hiqa.ie

Notes to the Editor: 

Draft National Infection Prevention and Control Standards

1.0 Governance and Management This standard requires that Infection Prevention and Control is effectively and efficiently governed and managed within the health care system.

2.0 Infection Prevention and Control Structures, Systems and Processes This Standard requires that structures are in place to effectively implement the Infection Prevention and Control service.

3.0 Environment and Facilities Management The standard states that the physical environment, facilities and resources are managed to minimise the risk of infection to patients, staff and visitors.

4.0 Human Resource Management The standard states that all staff be selected, recruited, trained, educated and managed in order to prevent and control the spread of infection.

5.0 Information and Communication Management This standard states that Infection Prevention and Control data and information is collected, sorted, processed, monitored, responded to and reported in a timely, efficient and accurate manner.

6.0 Hand Hygiene The standard states that hand hygiene practices that prevent, control and reduce the risk of the spread of Healthcare Associated Infections must be in place.

7.0 Communicable/Transmissible Disease Control The standard requires that the spread of communicable/transmissible diseases is prevented, managed and controlled.

8.0 Device Related Infections The standard requires that device related infections are prevented / reduced.

9.0 Microbiological Services The standard requires that microbiological services are available in a timely and effective manner to support Infection Prevention and Control Services.

10.0 Outbreak Management The standard requires that infection outbreaks are detected, managed and controlled in a timely, efficient and effective manner in order to reduce and control the spread of infection.

11.0 Surveillance Programme The standard requires that Health Care Associated Infections and antimicrobial resistance are monitored, audited and reported through a systematic Surveillance Programme.

12.0 Antimicrobial Resistance The standard requires that there are systems in place to reduce and control Antimicrobial Resistance.