Govtoday presents Reducing HCAIs 2012 – Reducing Infection: Improving Health Outcomes the 2nd of our National events in 2012 focusing on the impacts that Healthcare Acquired Infections (HCAIs) have on Public Health, to be held at Bridgewater Hall Manchester on the 6th June 2012.

Deaths related to Healthcare Acquired Infections have dropped by more than a third in a year. The number of deaths related to MRSA was 40 per cent lower during 2010 than during 2009, and there were 31 per cent fewer deaths involving C.difficile.

“It is welcome news that fewer people are dying from MRSA and C.difficile and that there have been major reductions in 2010 compared to the previous year. This reflects the overall progress we have seen over the past year in reducing these infections.

“However, we have been absolutely clear that the NHS should take a zero tolerance approach to all avoidable healthcare associated infections and there should be further improvements.

“The public expects to be treated in a clean and safe environment and this is what the NHS must provide.”

Health Minister Anne Milton

In June 2010, the Government announced that the Department of Health would publish weekly hospital data appertaining to meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridium difficile (C.diff/CDI) infection rates, providing vital information to help patients make informed choices about their healthcare.

This data as published by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) also brings to light the vast regional variations in relation to infection rates. The latest figures for the period June 2010 – 2011 highlights the variations clearly with the best performing region having only recorded 35 persons with an MRSA bacteraemia (hospital trust apportioned only) with the worst recording 169. Similar results can be seen with C.diff with results ranging from 632 recorded persons to 1915.

Reducing HCAIs 2012 – Reducing Infection: Improving Health Outcomes will explore the reasons behind regional variation, examine local health requirements and discuss the next steps forward in the reduction of infection rates, providing the platform to establish collaboration and the sharing of best practice.