Developing a ward accreditation scheme to improve infection control practice.
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.
Coward
Joanna
J
Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals Foundation Trust.
Palmer
Diane
D
Risebury
Bernadette
B
Collingwood
Karen
K
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