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Stringent target to slash C.diff rates
18/10/2008
Health boards throughout Scotland were today set a stringent target to cut rates of C.difficile by Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon.
By 2011, the Cabinet Secretary expects all boards to have achieved a 30 per cent reduction in C.diff rates for over 65s.
A new HEAT (Health, Efficiency, Access and Treatment) target will be established which will be underpinned by an additional HEAT target to improve compliance with prudent antibiotic prescribing policies.
Ms Sturgeon said:
"The public must have confidence in their NHS and know that they're going to get the best possible care whenever they need to go into hospital.
"That's why tackling the problem of healthcare associated infections is a key priority for this government.
"Health boards are already working hard to crack down on these infections which can have devastating effects on patients.
"The latest statistics show C.diff cases in Scotland have been reduced by seven per cent on the previous quarter and the challenging target I'm announcing today clearly demonstrates our commitment to build on this progress."
HEAT targets are a core set of Ministerial objectives, targets and measures for the NHS. The targets are set each year. Progress is measured throughout the year and boards are held to account during their annual review with the Cabinet Secretary.
The Scottish Government is investing £54 million (over three years) in a range of initiatives designed to tackle HAIs. These include a national MRSA screening programme, prudent prescribing of antibiotics and greater compliance with hand washing rules.
NHS boards are already working towards a target to reduce all staphylococcus aureus infections (including MRSA) by 30 per cent by 2010.
Additional supporting tools and start up funding will be provided to the NHS Boards by the Scottish Government and both the Scottish Antimicrobial Prescribing Group and Health Protection Scotland will be on hand to assist and support NHS Boards in achieving the target.
On October 16, Health Protection Scotland published 'Guidance on Prevention and Control of Clostridium difficile Associated Disease in Healthcare Settings in Scotland'. This guidance provides advice covering key aspects of prevention and control of Clostridium difficile Associated Disease (CDAD) and provides a standardised evidence based approach to prevention and control of CDAD.
Latest figures - published on October 8 - by Health Protection Scotland showed that in April-June this year, C.difficile cases fell by seven per cent on the previous quarter (from 1,861 to 1,732).