Nick Rothwell warns that we do not yet have a true picture of SSI prevalence in the UK and, without this, we will never fully understand the scale of the problem with which we are dealing.
He highlights a new report, Time to Act, which aims to raise awareness of the key issues.
COVID-19 continues to significantly impact every aspect of our lives. In particular, it has brought the importance of infection prevention to the forefront of public consciousness. We wear face coverings to buy groceries and when we use public transport, we are reminded to regularly wash our hands for two minutes, and we stay a safe distance away from our family and friends to prevent transmission. As the general public has become more aware of the importance of infection prevention measures in their day-to-day lives, we must also consider what more can be done to support the NHS to enhance the way in which it prevents infections – including in the operating theatre.
The NHS has been on the frontline in the battle against the virus, while also managing its unintended consequences. From later diagnoses of conditions such as cancer, through to increased waiting times or cancellations of elective surgery, the pressure on the service has never been greater in its 72 years of existence. It is down to all of us to support the NHS and our brilliant healthcare professionals (HCPs) to help manage these pressures and overcome the challenges ahead, and that includes making surgeries as safe as possible for patients.
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