First National Publication of Infection Rates on MyHospitals
For the first time all Australians are able to see how well their local public hospital is controlling serious staph blood infections (staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia), with the release of hospital infection rates on the MyHospitals web site.
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Joint release
The Hon Nicola Roxon MP
Minister for Health and Ageing
The Hon Jason Clare MP
Member for Blaxland
27 October 2011For the first time all Australians are able to see how well their local public hospital is controlling serious staph blood infections (staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia), with the release today of hospital infection rates on the MyHospitals web site.
Minister for Health and Ageing Nicola Roxon and Federal Member for Blaxland Jason Clare made the announcement today at Bankstown Hospital.
“The Gillard Government believes that patients have a basic right to know about the performance of their public hospitals. The publication of infection rates caused by these potentially deadly bacteria will drive improved hospital performance,” Minister Roxon said.
“Hospital beds are important, but we want people to know what’s been hidden under the mattress. Now for the first time patients will be able to see how their hospital performs in controlling infections.
“Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB) is a serious bloodstream infection which is often associated with surgical and other invasive medical procedures.
“They are approximately 7,000 SAB infections each year. Often they can also be resistant to antibiotics.
“It can be difficult to treat, but infection can often be prevented by taking simple precautions. Improved hand washing especially for doctors, nurses, carers and hospital staff is one of the most effective ways of doing this.
“The numbers and rates of infections are available to all Australians for over 450 public hospitals, representing over 87% of patient bed days.
“The Gillard Government’s reform is delivering greater transparency and accountability in the health system. Through National Health Reform a new authority will report on all Australian hospitals, public and private alike, with more detailed information on patient care, safety and quality and health outcomes,” said Minister Roxon.
Ms Roxon said SAB had been accepted as a national indicator of patient safety and health care quality since 2008. Though incidence of infection was collected by all states and territories, it had not always been publicly reported at hospital level.
The national benchmark for SAB is no more than two infections per 10,000 occupied bed days for acute care public hospitals.
The MyHospitals web site can be accessed at www.myhospitals.gov.au
Federal Member for Blaxland Jason Clare said the announcement was good news for Bankstown Hospital which had performed well.
“This is a really good result for Bankstown Hospital and I would like to thank the staff for their continued work to minimise the threat of hospital acquired infections,” Mr Clare said.
Bankstown Hospital is already benefiting where patients are already benefiting from the Commonwealth’s investments in health reform, including:
- $2 million for surgical equipment
- $6.5 million for a four year investment in Geriatric Evaluation and Management day hospital services from 2009-10.
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