New measures must be taken to protect healthcare workers from healthcare acquired infections such as MRSA, according to a report to be adopted by the European Parliament. The report focuses on the need to reduce workplace-related diseases and accidents across the EU and in particular to better protect vulnerable workers such as those in healthcare.
She commented: “Legislation is needed to prevent over one million needlestick injuries which affect healthcare workers each year across the EU. Imagine the horror if you are accidentally pricked by a needle and then have the horrendous wait to see if you have contracted a serious infection such as HIV or Hepatitis B. The European Commission must now heed our call and bring forward an amendment to the 2000 Biological Agents Directive.
“In some areas, of course, exchange of best practice is probably enough and that is why I am pleased that my amendments on healthcare acquired infections passed in committee. Infections like MRSA are not only serious for patients in hospital but also for workers.
“Rates of infection vary considerably between Member States. The UK, for example, has a ten times higher rate than the Netherlands. We need to know why and how we can learn from best practice. That is why I have called for an EU Code of Good practice on healthcare acquired infections and to encourage screening of health workers.”
