Tuesday 20 Dec 2011 @ 12:24
Welsh Government
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Eliminating Preventable Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs) - A framework of actions for healthcare organisations in Wales

Reducing preventable Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs) is a priority for the Welsh Government and the NHS in Wales and rightly so. They are a major cause of morbidity, mortality, excess healthcare costs – and treatment of infections is becoming more difficult due to an alarming rise in antimicrobial resistance.

The Minister for Health and Social Services, Lesley Griffiths has yesterday (Monday 19 December) launched the new Framework of Actions for healthcare organisations – the Welsh Government's commitment to zero tolerance of preventable HCAIs.

The Framework aims to ensure suitable and sustainable infection prevention and control (IPC) arrangements and robust antimicrobial stewardship are in place for 2011-12 and beyond.  It was developed through a collaborative approach with Public Health Wales, local health boards and other key healthcare partners in Wales including professional bodies and community health councils.

The Framework sets out key actions that need to be taken under five core commitments:

  • changing the culture – to one where no preventable HCAI is tolerated;
  • leadership – to strengthen at all levels and throughout all disciplines and services;
  • improving quality and safety – to embed core IPC practices in everyday activities;
  • measuring success – to demonstrate quantifiable deliverables; and
  • information sharing and transparency – to build and maintain the confidence of citizens and service users

and emphasises the scale of change required to achieve success.

The Health Minister, Lesley Griffiths said:

"This new Framework for healthcare organisations represents a major step forward in tackling HCAIs.  The overarching message is that infection prevention and control is everyone’s business.  A challenge for healthcare organisations is therefore to help patients, visitors and staff understand the role they can play in tackling HCAIs."

The Chief Medical Officer, Dr Tony Jewell added:

"We are developing standards and guidance for healthcare organisations in Wales to support them in reducing HCAIs.  These will help ensure that patients have the most appropriate care and the correct treatment.  It is essential that everyone involved in the provision of healthcare services – whether directly or indirectly - unites in the fight to eliminate preventable HCAIs.  The NHS in Wales has made considerable progress in recent years – but there is still much more to be done."

"Increasing pressures on healthcare services during winter months as a result of seasonal respiratory infections (e.g. influenza) and gastrointestinal infections (e.g. winter vomiting viruses/norovirus) highlight the need for improving and sustaining effective IPC programmes."

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