Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 229: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her policy on MRSA; the progress made in meeting her targets for the reduction of MRSA; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8766/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I would like to assure the Deputy that tackling all Health Care Associated Infections (HCAIs), including MRSA continues to be a priority for the government and for the Health Service Executive (HSE).

The HSE launched a National Infection Control Action Plan in March 2007. An Infection Control Steering Group, chaired by Dr. Pat Doorley, National Director (Population Health) is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the plan. Over the next three to five years, the HSE aims to reduce HCAIs by 20%, MRSA infections by 30% and antibiotic consumption by 20%. Achievement of these targets will benefit all patients who are at risk. These targets will be achieved through the development of national and local level action plans to reduce the potential for spread of infections between persons in healthcare settings, and, in addition, will focus on reducing antibiotic use in Ireland. The Steering Group is supported by eight Local Implementation Teams which will ensure that all local facilities are focused on achieving the national targets.

A National Surveillance System has recently been established by the HSE to collect data and provide information on a quarterly basis on four key areas, to monitor HCAIs in our health system: Staphylococcus bacteraemia; Antibiotic consumption; Alcohol gel use; MRSA surveillance in Intensive Care Units.

The HSE intend to publish available data on the above for 2006 and 2007 in April this year and then quarterly thereafter. The data will be listed by individual hospital and in due course also by each Local Health Office. This will greatly assist in the monitoring of improvements in infection control. It will in particular highlight recent trends in the key areas identified and represent a benchmark against which we can assess progress in the future and particularly when and where that progress is being achieved.

Improvements on hygiene are critical to effective infection control. The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) undertook a comprehensive review of hygiene in our hospitals in 2007 against hygiene standards developed by the Irish Health Services Accreditation Board. HIQA published its report, the National Hygiene Services Quality Review, on 13th November 2007. The report represents a thorough assessment of how hygiene services are provided and managed in 51 HSE-funded acute care hospitals. Hospitals generally performed well on hygiene in the service delivery area. Most hospitals achieved either extensive or exceptional compliance with the standard in the service delivery section of the report. However, the results were poor on governance. While the good hygiene practice of front line staff highlighted in the report is vital, real improvement in this whole are also depends heavily on good leadership and a system of governance. HIQA is currently working with managers and clinicians to develop national standards for Infection Prevention and Control. When completed these, along with the national hygiene standards, will provide a comprehensive framework to help reduce the spread of infection and improve the quality of our health care.

The availability of isolation facilities is an important factor in the overall solution to the issue of reducing incidence of infection. I have instructed the HSE that designated private beds should be used where isolation facilities are required for patients who contract MRSA and this policy has been adopted by the HSE. New environmental building guidelines have been prepared by the HSE to inform infection control policy in all new builds and refurbishments. A process of consultation on the draft guidelines is currently on-going. The HSE is committed to ensuring that such facilities are in line with best international practice including the provision of adequate numbers of single units.

While accepting that not all HCAIs are preventable, I am satisfied that significant steps are being taken to reduce the rates of infections and to treat them promptly when they occur.