Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour)
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1459. To ask the Minister for Health his response to recent Health Information and Quality Authority reports which show that many hospitals are failing to follow basics hand hygiene techniques; if he will urgently implement accountability measures to tackle same up to and including sanctions where necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37933/13]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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The prevention and control of healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) is one of my priorities in protecting patient safety. HCAIs represent a major cause of preventable patient harm and increased healthcare costs. Since late 2012 the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has been carrying out a monitoring programme against the National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs), 36 of which have been completed. The most recent Monitoring Reports were published on Wednesday 4th September covering 5 acute hospitals:

- Mid-Western Regional Maternity Hospital, Limerick;

- Beaumont Hospital, Dublin;

- Lourdes Orthopaedic Hospital, Kilcreene;

- Merlin Park Hospital, Galway;

- Midland Regional Hospital, Tullamore

Both I and my Department welcome the publication of HIQA’s reports and note the concerns raised in these, and indeed, previous reports about hand hygiene practices particularly among medical staff. With regard to hand hygiene the findings of the Authority suggest that hand hygiene best practice needs to become more operationally embedded at all levels. Poor hygiene standards put lives in danger. Everyone needs to play their part in improving hygiene standards in hospitals; this requires buy in from hospital staff in all areas and visitors. It must be emphasised that it is of vital importance that healthcare workers recognise their personal responsibility to protect patients by maintaining their own good hand hygiene. I am extremely disappointed to note that despite the Health Service Executive’s initiatives to develop an organisational culture of hand hygiene, a significant number of healthcare staff, including doctors, are still not adhering to the basic principles of hand washing.

I very much support the HSE’s ongoing work through its national programme of activity to raise awareness amongst staff, monitor compliance with national standards and to take action to reduce HCAIs in hospitals. A key element of this programme is the HSE’s continuing bi-annual hand hygiene audits which occur in both the acute sector and in the long stay area as well. Additionally, from July of this year it has become mandatory for all staff to receive hand hygiene training as part of staff induction and an education programme every two years is being put in place. The HSE audits have shown an encouraging improvement in hand hygiene compliance with a most recent figure of 84% compliance overall. However, there is no cause for complacency as there continues to be significant room for improvement, particularly among medical staff.

With this in mind, the Chief Medical Officer of my Department has written to the Chair of the Health and Social Regulatory Forum asking that the Forum consider the matter and submit proposals as to how it might adopt a common approach to raise awareness of hand hygiene in particular and support and reinforce compliance with this very important patient safety issue.