MPs want urgent steps to curb hospital infections

MPs have urged the Ministry of Health to set up a national surveillance system for hospital-acquired infections as a matter of urgency.

A report released yesterday by Parliament's health select committee found a need for better monitoring of infections caught in hospitals.

The MPs' report followed the release of one by the Auditor-General last June on the management of such infections.

Chairwoman Steve Chadwick said committee members were pleased with the detail and scope of the Auditor-General's report.

MPs had closely followed the implementation of its recommendations by the ministry and district health boards.

"We ... consider that higher priority should be given by the Ministry of Health to establishing a national surveillance programme for hospital-acquired infection," Ms Chadwick said.

The Auditor-General's report estimated the cost to public hospitals was $137 million a year.

It said about 10 per cent of patients admitted to hospital would acquire an infection as a result of their stay.

A "fair proportion" of infections could be avoided by improved hospital practices. More attention to infection control was needed as a part of risk management and high-quality health care.

The report made 39 recommendations to reduce and monitor infections. It did not state which hospitals were the worst.

- NZPA