Infection Rate Differences

There are significant differences between infection rates in the NHS and that of the private sector. This is one of the main reasons why people choose to take out private health insurance rather than rely totally on the NHS. But why are there such differences?

The statistics are very telling. You are twelve times less likely to get a hospital-acquired infection (HAI) in a private hospital than in an NHS hospital. A recent report from Dr Foster which looked into the safety of patients in the NHS found that 5,024 people with low risk problems died in UK hospitals during 2009.

The NHS has done a lot to improve infection rates and much has been accomplished in the last three years. For example the Health Protection Agency reported that the rates of MRSA have fallen from 839 cases between April and June 2008 to 509 cases for the same period in 2009.

Despite improvements, public perceptions about NHS infection rates are still poor. Additionally the comparative figures show significant differences between the NHS and private sector rates.

One of the infection prevention measures used by private hospitals is the pre-screening of patients for infections. This ideas has been adopted by the NHS but the recent Dr Foster report found that one in five hospitals did not use this technique.

There are different levels of care in the NHS across the UK with some Trusts having very poor levels of infection control. This is one big difference between the NHS and private health institutions. Private hospitals tend to have very standardised levels of infection control across their networks.

Dr Andy Jones, group medical director of Nuffield Health claims that Nuffield hospital only had 6 cases of C-Diff (clostridium difficile) and one case of MRSA in 2008. During this time they performed 365,000 operations.

So why are there such differences? According to Spire Healthcare’s clinical director Dr JJ de Gorter it is about commitment and attention to detail. He said:

'The simple truth is that is achieved through blood sweat and tears. There are no reasons to suggest why working in private sector, would automatically mean that rates would be better. It’s attention to detail, a commitment and an obsession with infection control.

We respond to the market and consumers tells us that it’s important. We over-invest. Is it proportional to the actual harm caused? Potentially not. Is it proportionate to the patient’s perception? Yes it is.'

This shows the importance of consumer confidence. Feeling that everything possible is being done is very important to feeling safe and comfortable.

So, for the meantime the NHS has a long way to go not just before their HAI rates are more under control but also before the public have confidence in their abilities.