28 September 2004

Health strategy aims to prevent infections in hospitals

Preventing and controlling the spread of infection in hospitals and other healthcare settings will be the key aim of a strategy announced today by Health Minister Angela Smith.

The Infection Control Strategy will be taken forward by a Steering Group led by Chief Medical Officer, Etta Campbell, which will examine key priority areas such as prevention, surveillance, control of MRSA and staff education and training.

Ms Smith said: “The prevention and control of healthcare acquired infection has been a key public health issue over the last number of years. Events, locally and internationally, have served to focus attention on the need to develop a strong strategic approach in this area of concern.

“The level of MRSA in our hospitals is a matter of great concern, both to patients and professionals, as were the recent incidents involving endoscopes here. On a broader scale, the emergence of SARS and its spread among healthcare workers in Canada and elsewhere has highlighted the need to ensure that high standards of infection control are developed and maintained in all parts of our healthcare systems.”

The Minister said that the DHSSPS has been working closely with Boards and Trusts to reduce the incidence of infections in the healthcare system. There are also around 30 Infection Control Nurses employed by health trusts in Northern Ireland who carry out vital work in preventing healthcare acquired infections by training and educating staff.

The Minister continued: “Arising from the work of the SARS Taskforce in Northern Ireland, a range of training materials has been developed and distributed widely to healthcare workers, including a video/CD ROM which provides guidance on general infection control principles and practices such as hand-washing techniques and handling of specimens, linen, bedpans and clinical waste.

“Healthcare acquired infections result in a great cost in terms of the suffering of patients and of health service expenditure. We must, therefore, do all we can to reduce both of these and to bring everywhere up to the standards of the best.”

(MB)