UK needs fresh approach to superbugs - BMA
Wednesday June 10th, 2009
Senior doctors have warned that "superbugs", or healthcare associated infections, will not be beaten in the absence of dedicated long-term strategies.
A report published yesterday (June 9) by the British Medical Association calls for "sustainable evidence-based improvements that will protect more patients in the future", alongside short-term solutions such as alcohol gel, dress codes and deep cleansing.
Dr Jonathan Fielden of the BMA said: "Whilst we must congratulate NHS staff on their successful efforts to reduce healthcare associated infections it is time to introduce longer-term solutions that are integrated and evidence-based.
"It's not enough for politicians to announce new initiatives that are just sound bites. Genuine patient safety comes from embedding long-term strategies to tackle healthcare associated infections."
The report, Tackling healthcare associated infections through effective policy action, calls for strong government commitment on policies covering patient throughput and high bed occupancy.
Overcrowding and understaffing can impact on infection control practices due to increased movement of staff and patients, worse staff to patient ratios, and decreased hand hygiene, says the report.
"With many hospitals already working at full capacity, this will only get more pressurised as winter arrives," said Dr Fielden.
"The pressure to turn around patients too quickly and the lack of adequate isolation facilities create critical challenges to maintaining high quality patient care. We want safe, timely care and treatment, not just fast care. We must put safety in front of political targets."
Without a change in direction and strong organisational support, the risk to patients and the burden on the NHS are set to continue, the report states.
* Meanwhile the World Health Organisation reported the first death from swine flu outside central and north America.
One death has been recorded in Chile out of some 411 cases as the disease spreads through South America.
Worldwide some 139 deaths have been reported out of 25,288 cases in 73 countries.
In Britain some 675 cases have been confirmed and in Birmingham four primary schools were closed yesterday as the disease spread through the urban area. Scotland has now recorded 232 cases and the West Midlands 142.
Tags: Flu & Viruses | MRSA & Hygiene | NHS | UK News
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