The Healthcare Commission has launched what it says is the biggest inspection programme ever carried out in English NHS acute Trusts to verify that they are meeting infection control standards.
Assessors, including infection control specialists, will undertake inspections at all 172 English trusts annually in a drive to reduce deaths and illnesses from healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs), improve patients’ hospital experience, and “increase public confidence” in the NHS. The programme, which will also see “external specialists”, such as microbiologists and infection control nurses, provide advice on various aspects of the Government-introduced hygiene code (which came into effect in October 2006), has been established at Health Secretary Alan Johnson’s request.
The Commission has written to all acute English Trusts, calling on them to ensure they have the necessary systems in place to minimise the risk of patients contracting an HCAI. It is particularly keen to ensure they meet the 11 mandatory duties outlined in the Government “hygiene code”, which include a duty to assess the risk of acquiring HCAIs and to “take action to reduce or control such risks”; to provide a “clean, appropriate” healthcare environment; to provide information on HCAIs to both patients and the public, and to “provide adequate isolation facilities”.
The Health Act 2006 gives the Commission powers to issue improvement notices, requiring immediate changes to infection control practices. Should a Trust not respond, the Commission can recommend either that the Health Secretary (in the case of NHS non-Foundation Trusts), or (as regards Foundation Trusts) the independent watchdog Monitor take further action. Over the next year the Commission says all acute English NHS Trusts will be visited, with 25 set for (unannounced) visits in the first two months. Assessors will check the physical environment, interview staff, including cleaners, clinical personnel and managers, and observe whether policies are being correctly followed. The Commission says the 25 selected include “a mixture of high, moderate and low risk” Trusts based on its “risk profile”, which is based on Trusts’ performance “in relation to HCAI core standards”.
Last year “spot checks” were undertaken at 120 English NHS acute Trusts, with three issued with improvement notices.
Anna Walker, the Commission’s ceo, said: “The hygiene code has been in place for 18 months now. Trusts know what they must do, and previous inspections have shown most are working hard to ensure they are meeting all the requirements. However, if we find any Trust falling short we will use our powers to ensure improvements are made.”
