Dramatic fall in infection rates at hospitals in West Herts

New figures show that infection rates at Watford, St Albans and Hemel Hempstead hospitals have fallen dramatically over the last five years. Improved processes for cleaning, strict hand hygiene and regular staff training are all helping to minimise the risk of infections occurring. Approximately 600,000 patients across the three hospitals get treated per year so keeping patients free from infection when they come into hospital is a constant challenge. Visitors can also do their bit to help prevent infections spreading by using the hand gel dispensers located in and outside all wards and departments. Over the last year, rates of Clostridium difficile (also known as antibiotic associated diarrhoea), have dropped by 18 per cent, and, in the last five years, have improved by more than half. Professor Tracey Carter, Chief Nurse and executive director responsible for Infection Prevention and Control, said: “We are extremely encouraged by the continued reduction in the number of infections at our hospitals. This is down to the hard work of staff and represents a huge improvement in the quality of care we are able to give our patients. For more on this read the next My Kings News out on June 5.