Reducing harm to patients from health care

The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care released today the draft report Reducing harm to patients through healthcare associated infection: the role of surveillance.

Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) acquired in the hospital setting are a major cause of death and increased morbidity for hospital patients worldwide.

The report has been compiled by 51 experts in infectious diseases from across Australia, and provides up-to-date scientific and clinical advice on how to reduce HAI by the use of the surveillance of processes of care and of infection rates of certain micro-organisms, in a variety of settings. These measures appear to be primarily focused on hospitals rather than office based practice.

Each chapter of the 373-page report includes recommendations and a summary of key points based on the material presented.

The Commission will be seeking submissions on the paper to ensure that the final strategy is of value to those receiving health services and those working in the field, prior to presentation to Australian Health Ministers.

The role of surveillance as a tool to reduce health care associated infections is just one of a number of strategies the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care is employing. Others include a national hand hygiene initiative, national infection control guidelines (with NHMRC) an antibiotic stewardship initiative and a program building clinician capacity in this area of healthcare.