Doctors criticise infection control strategy

They say there is little evidence that the Government’s ‘deep cleans’ of hospitals and polices that see staff ‘bare below the elbows’ are actually effective.

A BMA report, Tackling Healthcare Associated Infections through Effective Policy Action, advocates a focus on long-term action and a will to drive down all infections, not just MRSA and C diff.

The report also recommends sanctions for staff if they fail to implement simple infection control strategies like washing hands with soap and water or using alcohol rubs, and called for hand rubs to be made more readily available.

It adds: ‘Improving hand hygiene compliance requires comprehensive training in how, when and why to perform hand hygiene, and commitment at the most senior levels through role modelling.

‘The use of rewards and/or sanctions for acceptable or unacceptable behaviour, as well as social marketing techniques, are important considerations.’

Dr Vivienne Nathanson, the BMA’s head of science and ethics, said the best way for staff to keep their hands clean was a ‘belt and braces approach’ of washing hands with soap and water followed by using an alcohol rub.

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