Pre-operative checklists are being implemented to cut infection rates

Simple changes to the way patients are
cared for in hospital are having a significant impact on infection
rates, according to the Scottish Government.

Hospitals are being urged to adopt stricter treatment regimes as a way of cutting
hospital deaths by 15% and “adverse incidents” by 30%.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon is highlighting the measures as part of Patient Safety Month.

She visited Stirling Royal Infirmary where infection rates are down.

Prior to adopting a stricter treatment regime, the hospital recorded at least one incident per month where a patient who required a “central line” tube for food or medication, suffered from bacterial infection.

However, NHS Forth Valley said new procedures had resulted in no cases of infection being recorded since January last year.

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