Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 299: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the position regarding cleanliness and hygiene matters in hospitals here and on the strategies to end MRSA. [38646/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Infection prevention and control of Health Care Associated Infections (HCAIs), including MRSA, in health institutions is a matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE), as part of its overall responsibility for the management and delivery of health and personal social services.

Strict infection control measures, together with improved hospital hygiene, are key actions for the control of the spread of HCAIs. The HSE has put in place a number of structures at local, regional and national levels to achieve this. Two National Hygiene Audits have been carried out in the last year in acute hospitals under the auspices of the National Hospitals Office of the HSE.

In addition, the implementation of the revised guidelines for the Strategy for Antimicrobial Resistance in Ireland, which includes recommendations on hospital hygiene practice, appropriate antibiotic prescribing, active surveillance for the detection of MRSA and corporate/clinical governance structures in the area of infection control, the "Clean Hands Campaign" and the development of national standards in relation to infection control and hospital hygiene are also aimed at addressing the challenges presented by HCAIs.

I am confident that hospital hygiene will continue to improve in view of the increased awareness and resolve within the HSE and the hospitals to attain the necessary high standards.