NHS Fife off target after increase in hospital-acquired infections

NHS Fife is unlikely to meet the Scottish Government’s target for hospital-acquired infections this year.

While the number of diagnosed infections had been falling and infection numbers remain fairly low, it has increased again in the last six months.

A report to the NHS Fife board this week revealed 10 cases of staphylococcus aureaus bacteraemias were recorded across Fife in June, eight of which were community associated and two of which occurred in Victoria Hospital, Kirkcaldy.

It read: “The trend since the start of 2018 is discouraging, however the month of June has seen an improvement.

“We are currently ranked ninth out of the mainland health boards, with more hospital-acquired infections being recorded this year than in the same months of 2017.”

Improvements in the use of vascular access devices, used for blood sampling or the administration of medication or fluids, is being discussed with staff and safety groups.

Medical director Dr Frances Elliot said: “We are not yet on target to meet the requirements by the end of this year.

“We are seeing a reduction and it’s continuing to reduce but we’re unlikely to reach the target in spite of the good work that’s going on.”

She added: “It was coming down very nicely but it’s gone up again in the last six months.”

NHS Fife vice-chairman Les Bisset said the fact most of the infections were acquired in the community meant they were more difficult to deal with.

“There is work to be done but it’s proving more difficult because they are community acquired,” he said.”