US groups set out strategy to reduce hospital acquired infections

Five leading US healthcare organisations have united to reduce the rate of hospital acquired infections. The evidence based strategies aim to harmonise guidance and create practical tools for better implementation of infection control (Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology 2008;29:S12-S21, doi:10.1086/591060). They focus on two specific organisms—meticillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Clostridium difficile—and four vectors of infection—central line associated bloodstream infection, ventilator associated pneumonia, catheter associated urinary tract infection, and surgical site infection.

The problem has been not a lack but a profusion of guidelines for infection control. They have been generated by multiple agencies in …