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 | | Monday, 15 April, 2002, 16:22 GMT 17:22 UK Infections 'impacting' on NHS  People with infections are bed-blocking The equivalent of two large hospitals are full everyday of people with hospital acquired infections, new research has revealed. The problem is said to be causing the health service in Scotland more difficulties than bed-blocking, where the discharge of elderly people is delayed because they have nowhere to go. Dr Andrew Walker, an expert in health economics at Glasgow University, highlighted the problem in a report on hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). His study, commissioned by the Pharmacia drugs company, suggests the problem of HAIs is a far bigger cause of bed-blocking than delayed discharges. Using a measurement of bed-days - one patient in a hospital bed for one day - the figures suggest;
Dr Walker said: "The figures show that the equivalent of 1,416 beds are used up just to manage these infections - that's the equivalent of two general hospitals. "The Scottish Executive should be applauded on the resource it has recently invested in tackling delayed discharges as a way of freeing up bed-days for other patients.
"However it should now review its priorities in the light of the new research presented today and consider investing more in addressing the problem of infections." A report by Dr Walker last year estimated that in 1999, 45,742 Scots suffered from an infection acquired in hospital. About 1% of them - some 450 people - are thought to die as a direct result of infection, a bigger annual death toll than road accidents. Andrew Seaton, consultant infectious diseases physician at Gartnavel General Hospital in Glasgow, welcomed the findings. 'Impacting widely' "Up to one in 10 patients admitted to hospital will suffer from hospital acquired infection," he said. "HAI is consuming huge NHS resources and impacting widely on clinical activity in hospitals. "The report by Dr Walker has attempted to quantify the burden of HAI on the health service in Scotland."
The Scottish Tories seized upon the findings to accuse the executive of failing to implement in Scotland an action plan suggested for England two years ago. But Health Minister Malcolm Chisholm insisted that both he and First Minister Jack McConnell were concerned about HAI. "We will monitor trusts vigorously to ensure action is being taken," the minister said. Surveillance of the MRSA "superbug" would be widened to include other forms of the bug. The minister denied that the executive was complacent about the problem. 'Shocked' He added: "And we are certainly open to looking at new measures which could tackle this problem, including new drugs. "We are determined to tackle HAI and ensure that the vulnerable and sick are protected from further illness." Age Concern said it was "shocked" by the report, saying that older people are disproportionately affected. Maureen O'Neill, the charity's director in Scotland, said: "Going into hospital is a stressful experience for older people at the best of times, without additional worries about catching something while there. "We expect hospitals to make us better, not make us sick." | | See also:  Internet links: The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites Top Scotland stories now:  Links to more Scotland stories are at the foot of the page. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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