Healthcare Associated Infections – A Strategy for Hospitals in Wales (2004)

This strategy aims to support the reduction of healthcare associated infections in Wales and the main focus is in developing an infection control infrastructure emphasising the responsibilities of all healthcare workers. The strategy uses a clinical governance and risk management approach that puts the emphasis firmly with clinical teams who must confront their own problems guided and supported by specialist in infection prevention and control. The strategy recommends a package of tools which will help clinical teams to identify any problem areas, considers the requirements for specialist support, highlights the need for a safe physical environment, the importance of specialist and non specialist training in infection prevention and control and the importance of communication systems to underpin the whole process. The document is divided into three parts: - Part one o the strategic objectives o how the strategic objectives will be achieved o the background structure, ‘Improving Health in Wales’ Part two is a summary of the key action points set out in a framework tables which outline the the Strategic objective; delivery framework; actions required; responsibility; monitoring framework and a timescale for completion for the following areas o National Standards o Infrastructure and Organisation o Specialist Infection Control Support Specialist Epidemiological Support o Facilities o Training and Education o Surveillance o Audit o Interventions and Performance Indicators o Information Technology and Communications Part three gives an overview of healthcare associated infections in hospitals and the supporting information on the key action points set out in part two. The appendices include an example of a model infection control strategy statement, a table to demonstrate number of ICN’s to acute beds, tables and graphs demonstrating numbers of new MRSA bacteraemia reports via CoSurv from 1996-2002, data on hospital outbreak reporting 1997-2003, data on surgical site infection reporting and data demonstrating moving annual numbers of reports of sensitive staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia and MRSA bacteraemia rates in one hospital Corporate responsibility will rest with chief executives and their boards to deliver the strategy for Wales