Health Services Commissioner Annual Report 2000/2001

The MMC Cardiac Surgical Unit and New Born Services have identified, through
regular meetings and audits, infection control and prevention and important changes
have been implemented.
The MMC has identified, in its recent Infection Control Strategic Management Plan
2000-2003, that the systems in place are not “adequate to ensure appropriate
monitoring of hospital-acquired infections”. Further “There is obviously a need, as
recognised by an external review, for an effective coordinated Southern Health
infection control service that meets the needs of all sites and programs.” The
Southern HCN is seeking resources considered necessary to implement (world) best
practice in respect of infection control and prevention. HSC considers that infection
control is a core function within all hospitals.
In response to the second term of reference –
2. Whether actions taken to reduce hospital acquired infection rates in these two
units have been adequate and successful and whether any further action is
necessary.
The definition of “successful” is taken to be a reduction in the number of infections
detected, or the proportion of people who become infected.
As a generalisation, further action will always be necessary and constant vigilance
required to address and support infection control and prevention issues.
The review of infection control services of the Southern HCN, commissioned by the
Board and authored by Professor Wesselingh and Ms Harrington, provides expert
opinion on the optimal structure for the delivery of an effective infection control
service for the Network. The recommendations are reflected in the Network’s
Infection Control Strategic Management Plan 2000-2003, August 2000.
Recommendations
The HSC endorses and supports the measures of the DHS in implementing
Government policy on infection control and prevention utilising best practice. These
proposed changes and improvements (towards best practice) have resource
implications which are being addressed by the DHS and Government. Provision of
risk adjusted, validated data to allow for comparison between hospitals is of
paramount importance.
Recommendations that could be made for improvement of the cardiac surgical unit
and newborn services are already addressed in the DHS documents and Southern
HCN Strategic Management Plan 2000-2003.
The standardised (Statewide) system of definitions, collection, monitoring and
reporting on hospital acquired infections Victoria wide – reportable to
VICSP/VICNISS or similar – for cardiac surgery, neonates and other procedures, of
all nosocomial infections is currently being pursued.
Health Services Commissioner Annual Report 2000/2001 18