SECTION 4 Summary
Outcomes from the two programmes
In common with most other countries - Scotland has a serious problem with HAI, both in the healthcare environment and in its communities. Despite facing a number of difficult challenges over the last five years, the HAI Task Force has made a considerable amount of progress and, as this report reveals, it has taken strong leadership in directing a sustainable package of measures focused on controlling and stabilising rates of infection. This report shows that the Task Force has overseen a high quality programme of action to keep Scotland's reputation at the forefront of the world stage. Its main strengths include:
- ensuring that a consistent approach to HAI is taken across the country;
- developing new ways forward and directing the work;
- building a strong stakeholder base;
- harmonising and building on the programmes established;
- drawing upon the expertise of stakeholders; and
- improving on areas of monitoring and surveillance.
The legacy of the Task Force's two programmes live on - in particular, the Task Force will remain key to ensuring that all NHS Boards work in a consistent, planned and focused way and deliver outcomes that contribute towards meeting the Scottish Government's prime objective of a Healthier Scotland. To summarise on the key areas of work over the last two programmes, the Task Force has paved the way for:
- the continuation of funding to support HAI related posts in NHS Scotland such as Infection Control Managers and Local Hand Hygiene Health Board Coordinators;
- improved staff training on HAI so all NHS staff in Scotland are more aware than ever before of their duties and responsibilities towards keeping patients free from infection;
- improved hand hygiene compliance amongst staff, with the average rate of compliance in NHS Scotland increasing dramatically from 68% at February 2007 to 87% at February 2008;
- better surveillance information with a raft of data now being collected and compiled into published reports so rates of key infections can be regularly monitored and appropriate actions put in place;
- establishing a long term national programme of work aimed at tackling the growing problem of resistance to antimicrobials;
- a continued fall in some categories of surgical site infection and promising signs that rates of MRSA bacteraemias are decreasing;
- the creation of a raft of HAI publications for the NHS in Scotland, including guidance to the service on the decontamination of medical instruments, practical guidance on prudent antibiotic prescribing and providing clear instructions on the management of outbreaks of infections in wards; and
- improved NHS management and staffing structures and responsibilities.
The Task Force is building on its good work and has been set a number of new and exciting challenges over the next three years by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing. The third HAI Delivery Plan is now in place and the Task Force looks forward to publishing regular progress reports on the key outputs and deliverables on the way towards achieving completion in 2011.
The HAI Task Force Secretariat
The Scottish Government Chief Nursing Officer Directorate
April 2008