Hospital safety and hospital acquired infection

The current practices of target setting and comparing institutions via ‘league tables’ regarding their infection control systems are considered to of limited use. An alternative method of monitoring, known as PDCA, is discussed; P (plan), D (do or implementation of the system), C (check or surveillance) and A (act or feedback of results). To successfully implement such a method in our hospitals, it must be established from the ‘bottom-up’ and be seen to be both evidence-based and tailored for the individual institution's specific needs.