RCPI welcomes these standards and commends them to all healthcare staff.  The standards, the first of their kind, represent a significant milestone in our efforts to tackle healthcare associated infections (HCAI) in Ireland and to improve the safety and quality of patient care.  Their implementation requires commitment by all professional groups.  The standards also represent a statement of intent by our health service in the prioritisation of this area for improvement and development. 

Many of the standards can, and must, be implemented in the short term and are relatively cost neutral, e.g. enhanced hand hygiene. However other standards, such as the requirement for 100% of all new acute beds to be in single rooms will require greater time and significant investment, even in a resource constrained environment, but such investment will result in cost savings to the entire healthcare service. 

Through its commitment to maintaining the highest standards of medical practice, training of doctors and the health of the nation, RCPI will support the implementation of these standards, thereby improving the quality of patient care.  Fewer HCAIs will result in improved quality of life, reduced patient suffering and death, enhanced professional satisfaction and fulfilment and reduced healthcare costs.

Read the RCPI's full statement on the HIQA's National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections here  

For more information contact:

Joanna Holly
Royal College of Physicians of Ireland
Direct Ph: +353 1 8639743
Mobile: +353 87 212 0245
Main Ph: +353 1 8639700

Email:  joannaholly@rcpi.ie