Do not neglect to wash your hands, nurses advised

“Infections are a costly and avoidable burden. They hinder a patient’s recovery, can make underlying conditions worse, and reduce quality of life.”

The guidance says more must be done to reduce the amount of antibiotics being prescribed, in order to stem resistence of infections which resist antibiotics.

Earlier this year Dr Sally Davies, chief medical officer for England, expressed concern over a steep rise in the number of patients who do not respond to antibiotics, amid incresed resistence levels.

Officials said the scale of such infections had become a matter of “national concern” with 600 cases reported last year, compared with just five in 2006.

The quality standards state that the most common type of infections include pneumonia, lower respiratory tract infections, urinary tract infections and surgical site infections.

These infections can occur in otherwise healthy people, especially if invasive procedures or devices like catheters or vascular access devices, are used, Nice said.

“Although there have been major improvements within the NHS in infection control, particularly in relation to Clostridium difficile and MRSA bloodstream infections in the last few years, healthcare associated infections are still a very real threat to patients, their families and carers and staff,” Dr Leng said.

Carol Pellowe, senior lecturer at Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, a member of the committee which developed the Nice guidance said: “This quality standard will promote best practice in infection prevention and control and by providing key areas for action, encourage organisations to sustain their efforts in ensuring patient safety.”

Do not neglect to wash your hands, nurses advised