PERFORMANCE: The prevalence of healthcare associated infections in the North West region is above the national average, according to a report from the Health Protection Agency.
The HPA has published results from its latest HCAI prevalence survey, which reveals a snapshot of infection levels across hospital trusts in England. Overall more than 52,000 patients were surveyed at 103 organisations last autumn.
Nationally HCAIs were detected in 6.4% of patients, compared to 8.2% in 2006 when the HPA last carried out a similar prevalence survey.
In the North West region 8,656 patients were surveyed, of which 160 were found to have an HCAI. This represents an HCAI prevalence of 7.2%.
In contrast, the North West had one of the lowest levels of antimicrobial use of all the strategic health authority areas, according to the report.
The HPA found 2,779 patients were taking antibiotics in the North West, equivalent to 32.1%. The national average was 34.7%.
Source
Source date
23 May 2012
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