Background
Healthcare associated infection (HAI) affects one in 22 patients. More information on HAI can be found in our HAI and Antimicrobial prescribing prevalence report 2016.
To help reduce these infections NHSScotland has implemented a variety of systems and tools that can be used in clinical settings and these are:
- bundles
- key recommendations
- literature reviews
Bundles
A number of steps when performed together, reliably and continuously can improve patient outcomes.
Key recommendations
Key recommendations have been produced from the literature reviews. These should be included in quality improvement tools. A summary of the key recommendations are presented in the form of a diagram which can be printed off and used in practice.
Literature review
Review of evidence base and expert opinion to ensure key recommendations are the most critical for improving and streamlining practices.
Publications
Read the quality improvement tools below:
- preventing contamination when taking a sample for blood culture
- preventing catheter associated urinary tract infections in acute settings
- preventing catheter associated urinary tract infections in community settings
- preventing infections when inserting and maintaining a Central Vascular Catheter (CVC)
- preventing infections when inserting and maintaining a neonatal Central Vascular Catheter (CVC)
- preventing the transmission of Clostridium difficile Infection (CDI)
- preventing infections when inserting and maintaining a Peripheral Vascular Catheter (PVC)
- preventing infections when inserting and maintaining a neonatal Peripheral Vascular Catheter (PVC)
- preventing Surgical Site Infections (SSI)
- preventing Ventilator Associated Pneumonia (VAP)
MHRA alert
View the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) alert that's also been issued on the use of risk of anaphylactic reaction due to chlorhexidine allergy.