Posted 10 June 2015 - 10:25
Posted 10 June 2015 - 10:25
News
Trust ordered to report infection rates monthly
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust has been told by regulator Monitor to report infection rates monthly instead of quarterly
A trust has been ordered to report monthly on infection rates after failing to reduce the number of Clostridium difficile cases.
Foundation trust regulator Monitor has taken the unusual step of telling South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust that it must provide the data monthly instead of quarterly.
In July 2014 Monitor told South Tees that it should have no more than 49 cases of C. difficile in 2014/15, but the trust recorded 76 cases. As a result, Monitor will advise the trust on developing a new plan for cutting infection rates, and its performance will be checked monthly instead of quarterly.
New infection rate targets will also be developed, said a Monitor spokesperson.
Monitor regional director Paul Chandler said: ‘The number of patients picking up infections in the trust’s hospitals has risen and we have taken further action to make sure the trust responds swiftly. The trust will get expert help to draw up and implement a plan for reducing the numbers of infections and make sustainable improvements for its patients.’
A trust spokesperson said: ‘We know that infection prevention needs consistent and constant focus in key areas such as hand hygiene, cleaning, prompt isolation of patients and appropriate antibiotic prescribing. We are committed to continuing to address patient safety and turning this around.’
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) today gave South Tees a ‘requires improvement rating’ following December inspections.