The Government is to force every NHS trust in the country to monitor levels of hospital acquired infection.

The compulsory surveillance will focus on infections that pose a serious threat to the health of patients such as the so-called "superbug" methicilin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The system, announced to a specialist conference today (Monday) by health minister John Denham, will be in place by April 2001, with results being published the following year.

Recent figures show that 100,000 patients a year pick up infections in hospitals, of which it is thought 15 per cent are preventable. Apart from easing considerable patient suffering, such prevention would also save the NHS an estimated £150 million a year.

There is currently a lack of clear, reliable information on levels of infection, according to Mr Denham. And what there is points to unacceptable variations in the level of infection between different hospitals.

"Patients have a right to know the rate of hospital acquired infection. They also have a right to an assurance that their local hospital is doing its best to protect them from the risks," Mr Denham said.

The work to improve monitoring of hospital acquired infection is being driven by a specially formed team of health professionals, fronted by a Trust chief executive. Current monitoring will be developed to cover infections of wounds following orthopaedic surgery, bacterial blood-stream infections, and all infections acquired in hospital that become apparent after the patient has been discharged.

Mr Denham also stressed the vital importance of effective decontamination and sterilisation of equipment in ensuring infection control. All Trusts will now be instructed to treat decontamination as a key component in ensuring patient safety, he said.

(From Yahoo)