Healthcare associated infections
February 2006
Key publications, further reading and sources of information
This listing of organisations and publications is intended as a guide for those wishing to know more about healthcare associated infections in the UK. The BMA is not responsible for the content of external websites, nor does it endorse or otherwise guarantee the veracity of statements made in non-BMA publications.
Useful reading
Chief Medical Officer (2005) Protecting patients and staff – a strategy for prevention and control of healthcare associated infections in Northern Ireland 2005 – 2010. Belfast: Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety.
Royal College of Nursing (2005) Good practice in infection prevention and control: guidance for nursing staff. London: Royal College of Nursing.
Scottish Executive Health Department (2005) Infection control in adult care homes: final standards. Edinburgh: Scottish Executive.
Royal College of Nursing (2005) Standards for infusion therapy. London: Royal College of Nursing
Department of Health (2004) Towards cleaner hospitals and lower rates of infection. A summary of action. London: Department of Health.
Department of Health (2004) A matron’s charter: an action plan for cleaner hospitals. London: Department of Health.
Pellowe C, Pratt R and Loveday H et al (2004) The epic project: updating the evidence-base for national evidence-based guidelines for preventing healthcare-associated infections in NHS hospitals in England: a report with recommendations. British Journal of Infection Control 15:10-16.
National Audit Office (2004) Improving patient care by reducing the risk of hospital acquired infection: a progress report. London: The Stationery Office.
Scottish Executive Health Department (2004) The NHSScotland code of practice for the local management of hygiene and healthcare associated infection (HAI). Edinburgh: Scottish Executive.
NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (2004) National progress report: healthcare associated infection (HAI); infection control in NHSScotland. Edinburgh: NHS Quality Improvement Scotland.
NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (2004) Urinary catheterisation and catheter care: best practice statement. Edinburgh: NHS Quality Improvement Scotland.
NHS Estates (2004) The NHS healthcare cleaning manual. London: Department of Health.
Welsh Assembly Government (2004) Healthcare associated infections: a strategy for hospitals in Wales. Cardiff: Welsh Assembly Government.
Scottish Executive Health Department (2004) The NHSScotland national cleaning services specification. Edinburgh: Scottish Executive.
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (2003) Infection control: prevention of healthcare-associated infection in primary and community care. London: NICE.
Department of Health (2003) Getting ahead of the curve: a strategy for combating infectious diseases. London: Department of Health.
NHS Quality Improvement Scotland (2003) Improving clinical care in Scotland: healthcare associated infection (HAI); infection control. Edinburgh: NHS Quality Improvement Scotland.
Department of Health (2003) Winning ways: working together to reduce healthcare associated infection in England. London: Department of Health.
Scottish Executive Health Department (2002) Preventing infections acquired while receiving health care. Edinburgh: Scottish Executive.
NHS Estates (2002) National standards of cleanliness for the NHS. Norwich: The Stationery Office.
Pratt RJ, Pellowe C and Loveday HP et al (2001) The epic project: developing national evidence-based guidelines for preventing healthcare associated infections, phase 1: guidelines for preventing hospital-acquired infections. J Hosp Infect 47 (suppl): S1-82.
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (2001) Standard principles for hospital acquired infections. London: NICE.
NHS Estates (2001) Infection control in the built environment: design and planning. London: The Stationery Office.
Department of Health (2000) UK antimicrobial resistance strategy and action plan. London: Department of Health.
National Audit Office (2000) The management and control of hospital acquired infections in acute NHS trusts in England. London: The Stationery Office.
Standing Medical Advisory Committee (SMAC) Sub-group on Antimicrobial Resistance (1998) The path of least resistance: summary and recommendations. London: Department of Health.
Useful websites
Department of Health
Go to the website here - www.dh.gov.uk
Health Protection Agency
Go to the website here - www.hpa.org.uk
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence
Go to the website here - www.nice.org.uk
National Audit Office
Go to the website here - www.nao.org.uk
National Patient Safety Agency
Go to the website here - www.npsa.nhs.uk
Hospital Infection Society
Go to the website here - www.his.org.uk
Healthcare Commission
Go to the website here - www.healthcarecommission.org.uk
Healthcare Standards Unit
Go to the website here - www.hcsu.org.uk/
Healthcare Associated Infection and Infection Control
Go to the website here - www.show.scot.nhs.uk/scieh/infectious/infhospital.html
Welsh Healthcare Associated Infection Programme (WHAIP)
Go to the website here - www.wales.nhs.uk/sites/home.cfm?OrgID=379
Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre Northern Ireland
Go to the website here - www.cdscni.org.uk
Other resources
Department of Health (DH) initiative
Saving Lives: a delivery programme to reduce healthcare associated infection (HCAIs) including MRSA
National Patient Safety Agency (NPSA) ‘cleanyourhands’ campaign
Go to the website here - www.npsa.nhs.uk/cleanyourhands
NHS Education for Scotland ‘Cleanliness Champions’ initiative
Go to the website here - www.space4.me.uk/hai
Royal College of Nursing ‘Wipe it out’ campaign
Go to the website here - www.rcn.org.uk/resources/mrsa
National Resource for Infection Control
Go to the website here - www.nric.org.uk