Monday 5 October 2009
LABOR MUST ADOPT NSW LIB/NATS PLANS TO REDUCE HOSPITAL ACQUIRED INFECTIONS
Shadow Minister for Health Jillian Skinner today said the State Labor Government must adopt the NSW Liberals & Nationals policy and make public reporting of hospital acquired infections at a hospital ward level mandatory.
Mrs Skinner’s demands follow reports that 20% of patients with a golden staph bloodstream infection die within a month. Furthermore 40% of cases are hospital acquired and most are preventable.
“Transparency in reporting hospital acquired infection is imperative in driving improvement,” Mrs Skinner said.
“That is why the NSW Liberals & Nationals have committed to publishing hospital acquired infection rates at ward level,” she said.
“Our approach will help indicate where greater emphasis needs to be placed on infection control resources and activities.
“It will also give patients access to essential information before they go to hospital to have elective surgery.
“Comprehensive treatment information at unit or ward level can be used to improve models of care and achieve better patient outcomes.
“The incompetent State Labor Government has had 14 years to get this right, but has failed to do so time and time again.
“Despite evidence during the Garling Inquiry that hospital infections, which cause immense distress to patients also cost millions of dollars in re-admissions and long-term treatment, the Rees Labor Government has failed to act.
“Carmel Tebbutt must get her priorities right and adopt the NSW Liberals & Nationals policy of publishing hospital acquired infection rates at a hospital ward level.
“The NSW Liberals & Nationals have positive and practical plans to provide the community with world-class clinical health services and to minimise avoidable illness.
“NSW is ready for change and only the NSW Liberals & Nationals can deliver change for the better,” Mrs Skinner said.