Epidemic of new forms of healthcare-associated infections
As cost constraints increase hospital-acquired infections could reappear and new forms could appear over the long term, increasing demand for nursing if numbers of cases rise.
At their peak, hospital-acquired infections cost the NHS an estimated £1 billion per year. Typical infections included clostridium difficile, Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and methicillin-sensitive staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). In such cases, the infections were typically contracted in hospitals and proved resistant to antibiotics, making infections far more difficult to treat.
While these infections have been reduced, as cost constraints increase, such infections could reappear and new problems arise due to fewer resources being in place to resolve and prevent them. This could increase demand for nursing over the long term if numbers of cases rise and practices fail to adapt.
However, education/training in how to improve infection control is now well established, with staff more aware of the risks of infection. It is expected that education/training could be adapted to any new situation that arises and thereby mitigate any rise in demand that would be required.
Therefore, individuals such as service providers, commissioners and education providers may need to consider how new forms of healthcare infections could affect training of and demand for nurses.
Sources or references
- Suggested by number of stakeholders in interview and in workshops during CfWI research on nursing.
- From unpublished CfWI report (report available on request).
Some of the information in this section is provided by stakeholders and expert groups, and does not necessarily represent the views of the CfWI.
