Contact the infection control team
A specially trained nurse from our infection control team would be happy to speak to you.
Phone 020 7188 3153
Infection prevention and control
Infection prevention and control
Protecting our patients, visitors and staff from the risk of healthcare associated infection is one of our key clinical priorities. This is in accordance with the requirements of the Code of Practice on the prevention and control of infections and related guidance, contained within the Health and Social Care Act 2008. Our compliance with these standards is reviewed by external organisations including Monitor, our commissioners in Lambeth Primary Care Organisation, Dr Foster and the NHS Litigation Authority.
Current performance
The Health Protection Agency and Dr Foster provide an independent source of information and comparison with other hospitals in relation to key infections. As of December 2010, Guy's and St Thomas' was recognised as being one of the most effective organisations for its size and complexity of patients, with MRSA (Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) blood stream infection at only 4 cases for the year to date, and Clostridium difficile infections at 66 cases for the same period.
Zero tolerance and best practice
We have a very active campaign to tackle healthcare associated infections, which is continually re-energised. Infections such as MRSA and Clostridium difficile can lengthen your stay in hospital, cause severe consequences of infection, and regrettably in some cases death.
We employ a zero tolerance approach to poor hand hygiene and failure to adopt best practices. Staff are trained in good hand hygiene and infection prevention measures. Our dress code supports good infection prevention practices including 'bare below the elbows', to facilitate good hand hygiene. We are continuously looking to improve our standards and methods, and have recently implemented a highly sensitive new test for Clostridium difficile. We are also involved in research programmes to more effective microbiological tests to identify infections.
Protecting our patients from MRSA infection
In accordance with the Department of Health, from 31 December 2010 the Trust has put in place a revised MRSA policy (PDF 161Kb) to screen all relevant admissions for MRSA colonisation (carriage), with which we are compliant. This applies to all admissions, including elective and emergency. The only exemptions are for specified groups as identified in the policy.
The aim of the policy is to reduce the risk of infection from MRSA through screening patients identified as 'at risk' from MRSA colonisation. It provides assurance that all appropriate patients are screened rather than attempting to identify individuals based on 'risk factors' which may be unreliable.
Combating infection together
Our success in combating healthcare associated infections cannot be achieved without the support of patients, visitors and staff. The guidance documents linked to this page provide information that will help you to help us. If you have any questions or suggestions please contact the team on the telephone number on the right-hand side of this webpage.