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Written question asked by Nigel Mills (Conservative) on Thursday, 26 May 2016, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 6 June 2016. It was answered by Ben Gummer (Conservative) on Thursday, 9 June 2016 on behalf of the Department of Health.


MSSA

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what assessment his Department has made of potential links between hand hygiene compliance levels across the NHS and rates of MSSA bacteraemia in 2015.

Answer

Tackling healthcare associated infections is complex and requires a strong patient safety system that integrates cleanliness, infection prevention and control and antibiotic use. Hand hygiene is an important component and we continuously review and enhance national measures, systems and guidance. For example hand hygiene references in The Health and Social Care Act 2008 Code of Practice for prevention and control of infections and related guidance, were strengthened when it was revised in 2015. It will also form part of forthcoming guidance on reducing Gram negative infections such as E. coli.

Auditing of hand hygiene is a local responsibility and information on hand hygiene compliance is not collected centrally. Therefore, no national assessment has been made of the potential links between hand hygiene compliance levels and the above infections.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
38735
Session
2016-17
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Hygiene NHS MSSA
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk