£46.4m infection bill for NHS in Scotland

Hospital-associated infections cost the NHS in Scotland £46.4 million each year, according to a new study.

Research led by Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) found 7,500 hospital patients a year, or about one in every 100, develop a healthcare-associated infection (HAIs), also known as Nosocomial Infections (NI).

The study found urinary tract infection is the most commonly occurring HAI, followed by blood stream infection, lower respiratory tract infection, gastrointestinal infection, surgical site infection, and pneumonia.

NIs are a concern as they can affect a patient’s recovery and may also lead to extra treatments with antibiotics or surgery.

The Evaluation of Cost of Nosocomial Infection study found the rate of HAIs is 1.1%, which is lower than previously estimated from prevalence surveys, and compares favourably with previous historic estimates in the UK of 7.8%.

Professor Jacqui Reilly, the study’s chief investigator, said: “This study gives Scotland the first comprehensive assessment of the incidence, risks and costs of all types of HAI, enabling annual planning of infection prevention and control (IPC) strategy in our hospitals locally and nationally.

“The research highlights the importance of personalised IPC – risk assessing each patient on admission to mitigate risks of acquiring an infection during the hospital stay.

“And, in addition, supporting decisions on which HAI should be focused nationally in programmes on the basis of incidence and cost.”