Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
3373412 | Journal of Hospital Infection | 2008 | 5 Pages |
Abstract
SummaryUK National Health Service Trust hospitals are required to report meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection (MRSA BSI) and also have targets for their reduction. We argue that the MRSA BSI target influences local priorities, and that the high priority given to control of MRSA BSI is not fair or cost-effective when account is taken of the much larger number of patients who develop other types of serious hospital-acquired infection. Reasons for infection control priorities should be made explicit. Use of a formal and reasoned process of priority setting would also counteract the potential distortion of local priorities by national targets.
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Authors
M. Millar, J. Coast, R. Ashcroft,