title: Developing a ward accreditation scheme to improve infection control practice.
abstract: This article describes the development of a ward accreditation scheme that was set up to tackle healthcare associated infection in an acute trust. The scheme was used on all inpatient wards, and early reports indicated significant variation in practice. Standardisation of practice and regular audit has resulted in a 35.6% reduction in MRSA over a 12 month period.
authors.affiliation: Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Foundation Trust.
authors.forename: Joanna
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Coward
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Palmer
authors.forename: Bernadette
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Risebury
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Collingwood
mesh_terms: D000068:Accreditation; D019985:Benchmarking / Q000379:methods*; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004739:England; D006757:Hospital Units / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D009731:Nursing Audit / Q000379:methods*; D012015:Reference Standards