New bacteraemia standards in Ireland:
This article was originally published in Clinica
Executive Summary
Ireland is to set "explicit targets" for the control of bloodstream infections associated with medical technology use. A package of measures aimed at tightening the control of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) over the next five years will include standards on surgical site and central venous line-associated infections, as well as an enhanced bacteraemia surveillance regime. The Health Service Executive aims to cut HAIs generally by 20% and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) specifically by 30%. Citing independent data collected during February-May 2006, it said that at 4.9% overall prevalence, Ireland still compares favourably with other countries: from Australia at 6%, to Denmark and Spain at 8%; France and the US are given a prevalence range of between 5-6% and 10%. Norway, the Netherlands and the UK reportedly stood at around 7%.