NSW: 2,000 die in NSW a year from hospital infections

AAP General News (Australia)
02-11-2004
NSW: 2,000 die in NSW a year from hospital infections

SYDNEY, Feb 11 AAP - Around 2,000 patients in NSW die every year from infections contracted
in hospital, new figures show.

Health Minister Morris Iemma said the figures, released today by NSW Health, were unacceptable.

"It's not acceptable (but) it needs to be seen in the context of how large the system
is and how many people go through our hospitals," Mr Iemma told reporters.

About 1.3 million people are admitted for medical procedures in the state's hospitals each year.

Mr Iemma said there were infection control guidelines in place for medical professionals,
such as washing hands and wearing protective clothing.

NSW hospitals' post-operative infection rates were among the best in the country, he said.

"NSW setting up a mandatory system for reporting (hospital infection rates) is a first,"

Mr Iemma said.

He did not rule out a league table system for individual hospitals but suggested grouping
hospitals or examining infection rates for specific procedures may be a better option.

AAP mj/sal/cmc/br

KEYWORD: INFECTIONS

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