Surveillance
The Task Force works closely with HPS and other stakeholders on a variety of surveillance programmes relating to HAIs and a wide range of mandatory reporting has been introduced in the last five years to monitor HAI rates inScotland. These reports inform the drive and the focus of the ongoing HAI agenda and the HAI Task Force regularly review them to determine how well the monitoring is working and to ensure that control checks and systems remain up-to-date and relevant.
The key reports are produced by Health Protection Scotland (HPS) and include quarterly rates of Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemias; quarterly rates of Clostridium difficile and annual rates of Surgical Site Infections. These reports are joined by reports on hand hygiene compliance (currently produced by HPS every 6 months, but which will become quarterly reports from May 2008).
Health Protection Scotland was commissioned by the Task Force to develop and document a methodology for establishing the burden of HAI and, using this methodology, undertake a national survey of HAI in Scotland. The aim of this survey was to provide comprehensive, robust and detailed baseline data for the first time on HAI rates in Scottish hospitals, and on the overall burden of HAI in terms of health service utilisation and costs. The results of the study were published on 11 July 2007, one of the most comprehensive and detailed surveys of its kind in the world, found a prevalence of 9.5% of healthcare associated infections in acute hospitals in Scotland, and provided key baseline data on which to base future work. The survey led to the development of the third Delivery Plan which focuses actions around the key findings in the Survey. A second national survey will be undertaken by HPS in 2010.