Infection prevention and control: Lessons from acute care in England Towards a whole health economy approach

Infection control has been high on the political agenda and on the agenda of the NHS in England in recent years. There have been many successes, not least the reduction in MRSA bloodstream infections and cases of Clostridium difficile infection. However, other health-care associated infections that have not been monitored as rigorously are growing in incidence. New infections, including the growing number of more resistant strains of bacteria, are in danger of spreading. As a result, infection control needs to remain central to the work of the NHS.

This learning report is based on the findings of a large research study that identified and consolidated published evidence about infection prevention and control initiatives. The researchers synthesised this with findings from qualitative case studies in two large NHS hospitals, including the perspectives of service users.

The report considers what has been learned from the infection prevention and control work carried out over the last 15 years in hospitals in England. It looks at the lessons learned and outlines future directions for effective infection prevention and control.