NHS commended on infection control

It pointed out that infection rates are falling and that many hospitals are continuing to strengthen systems for protecting patients. In the latest measure to drive improvement, it registered, for the first time, 388 NHS Trusts to provide care after carrying out an assessment of whether they meet Government regulations for managing infection. To carry out the assessment, it asked that Trusts declare whether they were compliant with the regulations and cross-checked this with other performance information, including patient and staff surveys, findings from the Healthcare Commission’s hygiene inspections, Trusts’ declarations against core standards for infection control, and rates of MRSA and Clostridium difficile infection. While CQC registered all Trusts, it made registration of 21 Trusts subject to conditions, which are legally enforceable and must be met within agreed timescales or enforcement action will follow. The health and social care regulator reminded Trusts that it has a new range of strong powers, including issuing warning notices, fines, prosecution or even forcing closure in extreme circumstances. Barbara Young, chair of the CQC, said: “We know from recent decreases in rates of MRSA and Clostridium difficile that the picture on infection control is improving nationally. Most Trusts have stronger systems to protect patients from infection than a few years ago, and Trusts’ boards are taking the challenges seriously. We commend them for that. “In 21 Trusts we need further assurance that they are meeting the regulations. We have placed rigorous conditions on these Trusts’ registration and will monitor them closely. While infection rates at these Trusts are not necessarily higher, they can do more to strengthen their approaches to infection control and help prevent outbreaks. We will monitor their performance throughout the year and will not hesitate to use our enforcement powers to protect patients’ safety where needed.”