Infection Rates Not Properly Recorded
Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) are those that occur in hospitals or healthcare establishments and are secondary to any infections the patient was admitted with. According to a Bupa research paper earlier this year, concern over cleanliness and fear over these infections is the greatest reason why people would consider taking out health insurance rather than going via the NHS for their medical care.
The NHS have been recording their rates of healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) in a consistent manner for some time. The private health sector, on the other hand, have been slow to share information and until recently have not been obliged to do so. Comparative figures out this month call into question the reliability of the private health sector results.
In the private sector there were 35 cases of C. Difficile and three recorded cases of MRSA and between January 2008 and May 2009. The NHS has been using a Department of Health system to help NHS trusts report infection rates but the private establishments do not all use this system.
The Department of Health (DCS) currently has a total of 165 independent sector hospitals that are able to report to them and 85 that have still not fully implemented the recording system.
Additionally as people are often treated in both the NHS and the private sector it is possible for a duplication of figures to occur.
The independent sector is not currently obligated to provide details of HCAI's for all their patients although they do have to report NHS cases. According to Health Insurance and Protection:
'It is anticipated that by October 2010 they will be covered by the infection control code under the Health and Social Care Act 2008. From April 2010 IS hospitals will be registered with the Care Quality Commission, which will monitor compliance with infection control requirements.'
Recording figures helps NHS Trusts and private hospitals to set targets for the reduction of infections. The move to include the private sector fully into this system will be welcomed by groups who want to see more transparency in all aspects of health care provision.
The NHS have been recording their rates of healthcare associated infections (HCAIs) in a consistent manner for some time. The private health sector, on the other hand, have been slow to share information and until recently have not been obliged to do so. Comparative figures out this month call into question the reliability of the private health sector results.
In the private sector there were 35 cases of C. Difficile and three recorded cases of MRSA and between January 2008 and May 2009. The NHS has been using a Department of Health system to help NHS trusts report infection rates but the private establishments do not all use this system.
The Department of Health (DCS) currently has a total of 165 independent sector hospitals that are able to report to them and 85 that have still not fully implemented the recording system.
Additionally as people are often treated in both the NHS and the private sector it is possible for a duplication of figures to occur.
The independent sector is not currently obligated to provide details of HCAI's for all their patients although they do have to report NHS cases. According to Health Insurance and Protection:
'It is anticipated that by October 2010 they will be covered by the infection control code under the Health and Social Care Act 2008. From April 2010 IS hospitals will be registered with the Care Quality Commission, which will monitor compliance with infection control requirements.'
Recording figures helps NHS Trusts and private hospitals to set targets for the reduction of infections. The move to include the private sector fully into this system will be welcomed by groups who want to see more transparency in all aspects of health care provision.
Labels: health insurance, private health sector
posted by Insurance News at
9:18 AM
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