C Difficile
C difficile penalties to remain despite concerns
The Department of Health has rejected calls to make the penalties for breaching C difficile targets more proportionate but promised to keep the situation under review, HSJ has learned.
New infection threats emerging to replace MRSA and C difficile
A third of healthcare associated infections are now caused by bacteria that need to be tackled with different infection control techniques to MRSA and C difficile, a report has warned.
Hospital infection strategies 'wrong' - study
Hospitals may be adopting the wrong strategy for tackling a notorious healthcare associated infection, a study suggests.
Fears over 'destabilising' C difficile fines to be investigated
The possibility that fines for C difficile infections will have a “destabilising” effect on some hospitals next year is to be investigated by the Healthcare Financial Management Association.
Rise in number of hospital infections
More people than ever picked up infections while spending time in hospitals last year, it has been reported.
Trusts' cancer targets being missed - Monitor
Almost a quarter of foundation trusts are failing to hit cancer waiting targets while some are also breaching new rules on A&E, according to a new report.
C difficile deaths on the decline
The number of C difficile deaths in England and Wales fell last year after hospitals took steps to cut instances of so-called “superbug” infections.
Infections rise forces hospital to close to new patients
A hospital has been closed to new patients following a rise in the number of cases of the C difficile bug.
Hospital 'superbug' infections at new low
Rates of both C difficile and MRSA in hospitals are now at their lowest ever levels, official figures show.
Infection target 'unachievable' under new tests
Trusts that have failed to meet their C difficile infection targets because of changes in how patient tests are carried out are challenging the “achievability” of even tougher measures.
C difficile infection rates falling
The number of older people recorded as having contracted the C difficile hospital bug in Scotland has dropped by 37 per cent in a year, statistics showed today.
Council care better than private sector - CQC
The quality of private sector care is generally lower than in council-run facilities, the health regulator has warned.
Report into C diff deaths at hospital delayed
The results of an inquiry into a hospital bug outbreak that claimed 18 lives will be delayed by more than a year.
Infection control 'will be hit by nursing cuts'
Progress made in tackling hospital infections in Scotland could come under threat if nursing numbers are cut, representatives of the profession has warned.
Hundreds of care home deaths caused by dehydration
New statistics show that more than 650 elderly residents in care homes have died of dehydration in the past five years.
Rise in cancer target breaches among foundation trusts, new Monitor report shows
The number of foundation trusts that missed cancer treatment targets rose by a third to 28 out of 130 in the past three months, their regulator Monitor has revealed.
Superbug risk from hospital sinks
The Department of Health has issued an alert warning that hospital wash basins have been identified as a source of gram negative bacteria.
Budget risk to future MRSA success
The downward trend in the number of deaths involving MRSA and C difficile revealed by official figures could be reversed as a result of budget cuts, an infection control specialist warned last week.
Cleaning cut claims rejected
A Scottish health board has rejected claims by Labour that “cuts” to cleaning jobs are putting patients’ health at risk.
Hospital infection controls criticised
A hospital has been told to improve its infection control standards by health inspectors who made 16 requirements for change.
More on C diff
A safer approach to hospital pharmacy
Pharmacy teams are a vital safety net to avoiding prescribing errors and maintaining the quality of patient care, write Clive Newman and Alison Brailey
Can hospitals fully stop airborne transmission?
Despite well establushed procedures across the healthcare sector, hospital acquired infections are still a significant threat to both patients and staff. How can hospitals address the problem further, and take a step closer to eradicating HCAIs, asks Dr Abdel Ezbiri.
Why battling surgical site infections can complement infection control
Recent improvements in infection control of prominent hospital-acquired diseases can be supported with a zero tolerance battle against surgical site infections, say Paul Trueman and Phil Adams-Howell.
The calm after the storm: what chief executives do after 'goodbye'
NHS chief executive is a high profile job and every now and then one such leader suffers a public execution - but these days there is no guarantee of another job in the system for those who leave under a cloud. Alison Moore asks what fate has in store for an ex-manager
HSJ Awards 2009: Acute Healthcare Organisation of the Year
Throughout Cambridge University Hospitals foundation trust - the 2008 HSJ Awards acute organisation of the year - there is a strong desire to raise already high standards.
Safer Care: the Leading Improvement in Patient Safety programme
The Leading Improvement in Patient Safety programme is enabling acute trusts to develop their capability and frontline teams by giving them a framework from which to develop their safety strategy.
