title: Evaluation of peer review of infection control arrangements for healthcare-associated infection in four acute care trusts in the East of England.
abstract: In order to constructively use Department of Health surveillance data to address the issue of healthcare-associated infection, a peer review process investigating infection control arrangements for healthcare-associated infection in acute care trusts was initiated in the East of England. This study set out to evaluate that process and determine if it should be rolled out regionwide. A questionnaire survey of infection control doctors at trusts visited was conducted by telephone. Respondents commented that the peer review process raised the profile of infection control and healthcare-associated infection in participating trusts, and that a review of routine surveillance data was a useful way to initiate discussion about and focus attention on hospital infection control. Respondents felt the forum for discussion of infection control was most beneficial. A peer review process utilising routine surveillance data is of value in addressing issues related to infection control arrangements for healthcare-associated infection in acute care trusts.
authors.affiliation: Health Protection Agency East of England, Regional Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Public Health, University Forvie Site, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 2SR.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Radford
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gair
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D018563:Disease Notification / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D006779:Hospitals, Public / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000592:standards*; D018024:Peer Review, Health Care / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015397:Program Evaluation; D018571:Sentinel Surveillance; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires