AMA (NSW) welcomes Australian National Hand Hygiene Initiative results
The results from the Australian National Hand Hygiene Initiative have been very positive but more needs to be done on a number of fronts to decrease the likelihood of someone falling sick in hospital.
AMA (NSW) Councillor, A/Prof Brian Owler, says, “Increasing hand hygiene compliance is a very good thing and the AMA is 100 per cent behind this campaign.
“It’s pleasing to note that NSW is well above the national average when it comes to hand hygiene.
“The simultaneous decrease in the level of hospital acquired golden staph cases is also very welcome.
“There are also other issues at play when it comes to people falling sick during hospital stays and one of the most important is occupancy rates.
“Statistics show a link between higher hospital occupancy rates and an increased number of hospital acquired infections.
“The NSW Government’s commitment to 85 per cent occupancy rates for adult acute beds at 5 pm will be a great step forward, when it is implemented, in terms of lowering the risk of hospital acquired infections.”
Media contacts:
Elyse Cain (02) 9902 8138 / 0419 402 955
Lachlan Jones (02) 9902 8113 / 0419 402 955
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