There has been a marked change of culture within the NHS in recent years with regard to the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs), and the buzz words are 'no avoidable infections'.The introduction in 2004 of the Department of Health (DH) MRSA bacteraemia reduction target, which required all NHS acute and foundation trusts to achieve a 50% reduction in MRSA bloodstream infections by 2008 (the reduction was based on their individual 2004 baseline), saw MRSA bacteraemias fall by 57% across the NHS. Although success in achieving the reduction target was variable, it demonstrated that MRSA bloodstream infections are preventable/avoidable, as, of course, are other types of HCAIs (it has long been acknowledged that 15-30% of all HCAIs can be prevented through good infection control practice).
展开▼
