CDI reporting to CEO and Board
Health Boards should ensure that numbers and rates of CDI are reported through each level of the organisation up to the Chief Executive and the Board.
- The Scottish Government's response detailed national and local surveillance data collection, including mandatory CDI surveillance (started 2006 for patients aged 65+, extended April 2009 to all aged 15+). The LDP standard requires CDI rates of 0.32 or less per 1,000 total occupied bed days.
- Scotland achieved a CDI rate of 0.27 per 1,000 occupied bed days in the year ending December 2018, meeting the target with a decreasing year-on-year trend of 7.5% between 2014 and 2018.
- The requirement that CDI numbers and rates are reported through each level of the organisation to the Board is addressed through national surveillance systems operated by ARHAI Scotland (formerly Health Protection Scotland) and local audit requirements within the HAI Standards.
- The HCAI Strategy 2023-2025 maintains surveillance and reporting as core elements of Scotland's approach to HAI reduction (Scottish HCAI Strategy 2023-2025 (https://www.gov.scot/publications/scottish-healthcare-associated-infection-hcai-strategy-2023-2025/)).
How was this evidence gathered?
Response
Accepted
Response
AcceptedSection 2.1 of the Scottish Government's response highlights that national surveillance of C. diff infection is conducted, and a specific C. diff infection target is included in Local Delivery Plan Standards, requiring NHS boards to report performance. Furthermore, C. diff guidance published by Scotland's Health Protection Network outlines roles and responsibilities, which would encompass reporting mechanisms. Section 4.2 adds that eHealth systems like TrakCare and online clinical portals facilitate the secure sharing of clinical information, including diagnoses and results, across healthcare staff.
Published Evidence
Published assessments of progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Source type badge indicates whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.
CDI rates reported through multiple levels of organisation from ward to Board level. Quarterly national surveillance reports published by Public Health Scotland. Health boards report CDI data at all governance levels.
View detailed findings
National surveillance system provides data at ward, hospital, board and national levels. Mandatory reporting ensures transparency.
QEUH Oversight Board found significant failings in reporting of infection data within NHS GGC despite Vale of Leven recommendation for CDI reporting through all organisational levels. Key water quality and infection data not escalated appropriately.
View detailed findings
The failure to report infection data appropriately at QEUH demonstrates ongoing implementation challenges within NHS GGC for this recommendation.