Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)
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Question 21: To ask the Minister for Health and Children her views on the compliance rates with hand-hygiene policy regarding MRSA in hospitals here which her Department informed this Deputy is estimated at 60% to 70%; the policy being undertaken in her Department specifically, and in the Heath Service Executive to improve this; and her views on same in the context of two infants becoming infected here in recent weeks while in hospital. [35227/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Achieving and maintaining the highest possible standards of hygiene in our hospitals and healthcare facilities generally is a priority for this Government and for the Health Service Executive (HSE). Hygiene and infection control measures are key to the prevention of the spread of Health Care Associated Infections in our hospital system.

Hand hygiene surveys were carried out recently in HSE funded acute hospitals. Audit results are available in respect of approximately 60% of the hospitals participating in the survey. Of those, 50% or 15 hospitals achieved a compliance rate of 70% or more in relation to hand hygiene. The HSE Infection Control Steering Group has now tasked every hospital in the HSE to undertake audits of hand hygiene in every clinical area in their institution by the end of 2008. The Steering Group has indicated that it intends to introduce a mandatory scheme of hand hygiene audits in 2009, the results of which are expected to be published at the end of that year and thereafter on an annual basis.

Further data collected by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre in its national surveillance system on HCAIs, show that there was a statistically significant (43%) increase in the median rate of alcohol hand gel usage between 2006 and 2007. The overall level of alcohol hand gel usage is similar to levels reported from successful hand hygiene campaigns internationally.

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) which is the statutory body responsible for independently setting and monitoring healthcare standards generally undertook a comprehensive review of hygiene in our acute hospitals in 2007 and published its report last November. This review was based on hygiene standards which were accredited by the International Society for Quality in Healthcare. The report represents a thorough assessment of how hygiene services are provided and managed in 51 HSE-funded acute care hospitals. During 2008, HIQA followed up on this review to ensure that deficits identified during that process were being rectified and the Authority has already commenced a further national review last month. In addition, HIQA is due to publish Infection Prevention and Control Standards later this year. These standards are consistent with international best practice. When finalised, these, along with the National Hygiene Standards, will provide a comprehensive framework to control infection in all healthcare settings.