It is very clear from this report that more needs to be done to address the growing problem of infection in our hospitals

Lord Naren Patel CSBS chairman

Hospital Acquired Infections - or HAIs - are picked up by a patient after he or she is admitted to hospital.

An estimated 100,000 people pick up an HAI every year in the UK, making it the most common post-operative complication.

The problem also leads to the blocking of hundreds of hospital beds.

General hygiene on the wards plays a crucial part in preventing infection, but all hospitals also have infection control teams.

Their job is to make sure good hygiene procedures are in place, and to contain any infection that breaks out.

'Experience and expertise'

The CSBS is measuring the performance of every NHS Trust in Scotland.

A full report is expected to be published early next year, but interim findings based on information provided by the trusts themselves were released on Friday.

The CSBS said this information showed that Scotland had the experience and expertise to respond to the problem.

But it warned: "Too much of this work is poorly co-ordinated and inadequately resourced.

Malcolm Chisholm called for an urgent review

"Infection control needs to be accorded a higher priority throughout Scotland."

It said infection control was dependent on limited resources across Scotland and that most trusts did not yet have plans in place to address the full implications of HAIs.

The report found many examples of good practice, but concluded that better management systems and processes were needed to support work being done "on the ground".

"The policies, procedures and guidelines that were in place varied widely and very few trusts provided an organisation-wide infection control programme," the board said.

'Growing problem'

CSBS chairman Lord Naren Patel said: "It is very clear from this report that more needs to be done to address the growing problem of infection in our hospitals.

"This is a worldwide problem but the response so far in Scotland has been inadequate.

Greater priority needs to be given to infection control arrangements throughout Scotland

Dr David Old Group chairman

"There is a lot going on but too much of it is unfocused and uncoordinated.

"Trusts need to take a serious look at the systems they have set up and see if they are delivering what is needed to ensure that services are safe for patients to use."

Dr David Old, who chaired the group, added: "The message from this is clear - greater priority needs to be given to infection control arrangements throughout Scotland."

'Core business'

That view was echoed by Mr Chisholm, who said: "This report should alert the NHS to the need for further action.

"Infection control is a top priority and must be core business for NHS management."

He has asked NHS Chief Executive, Trevor Jones, to instruct all NHS Boards to step up their management of infection control procedures.

"The executive will meet with NHS chief executives later this month to discuss with them how they plan to take this forward," he added.