The 'Healthcare Associated Infection Annual Report 2013', published by Health Protection Scotland (HPS), highlights that healthcare-associated infection (HCAI) rates in Scotland continue to pose a significant threat to patient safety.
For the second year in a row, there has been a levelling trend in the rates of key HCAI types. Incidence rates of surgical site infections following hip replacement surgery and caesarean section have not changed significantly in 2013 compared with 2012.
While there has been a decrease in the incidence rate of Clostridium difficile (CDI) in patients aged 65 and over in 2013, there has been a levelling trend in patients aged 15-64. There has also been a levelling trend in the 2013 incidence rate of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemias in Scotland. Incidence rates of HCAI among patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) have continued to decrease.
Antimicrobial resistance remains a serious threat to global health. The data show there has been an increase in the use of carbapenems (a specific group of antibiotics), in Scottish hospitals. While reported carbapenemase-producing bacteria did not increase during 2013, two events of transmission were reported.
Commenting on the report, Professor Jacqui Reilly, HPS lead consultant in HCAI, said: “While significant declines in HCAI rates in Scotland have been seen over the last decade, the levelling trend this year for selected HCAIs indicates that changes in strategy are required to ensure we continue to make care safer in Scotland.
“A study carried out in 2013 estimated the inpatient cost of HCAI in NHS acute care hospitals to be £137 million. This excludes the costs of those infections occurring outside hospitals and highlights that the prevention of HCAI in all healthcare settings is of paramount importance. HPS will continue to work with NHS boards and local infection control teams to prevent HCAI and contain the emerging threat from AMR.
“In April 2014, HPS published the second chapter of the National Infection Prevention and Control Manual. The National Manual is a practice guide to be applied by all NHS Scotland staff and sets out the basic infection prevention and control measures, as well as additional precautions required to minimise the risk of cross infection. These practices help prevent and control HCAI and contain the threat of AMR, thus reducing risk and ensuring patient safety.”
The 'Healthcare Associated Infection Annual Report 2013' can be accessed at:
http://www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/haiic/publicationsdetail.aspx?id=58412
