Infection
Prevention

Infection Prevention and Control Indicators

SJGHEL’s Infection Prevention and Control Program is an essential component of quality patient care and patient safety. The program’s evidence-based guidance and recommendations help reduce the risk of infection for patients, staff, and visitors.

The program helps ensure the protection of patients, health-care workers, staff, and visitors from preventable hospital-acquired disease through surveillance, education, consultation, outbreak investigation, and the development of policies and procedures.

Hospital-Acquired Infections

A hospital-acquired infection is one that was not present or incubating prior to the patient being admitted to the hospital but occurred within 48-72 hours after admittance to the hospital.

SJGHEL monitors infection rates very closely. Despite our best efforts, hospital-acquired cases of MRSA, and C. difficile are on the rise in hospitals across Canada. This increase is due to a number of reasons including:

• today’s hospitalized patients are sicker than ever before,
• the number of patients with weakened immune systems is increasing,
• new devices and procedures with inherent risks are in use,
• antibiotic use is resulting in the development of resistant bacteria, and
• increased travel allows global spread of bacteria and other pathogens.

To combat this rise in infection rates, SJGHEL has implemented several measures to address infection rates, including:

• hand hygiene program with increase access to alcohol-based hand rub,
• screening patients on admission for history of carrying resistant germs,
• renovations to patient care areas,
• increased housekeeping resources, and
• education and awareness campaigns for patients and health-care providers.