Infection rates across St Albans, Watford and Hemel Hempstead hospitals have fallen “dramatically” over the last five years, according to a statement by health bosses.
West Herts Hospitals NHS Trust says that improved processes for cleaning, strict hand hygiene and regular staff training are helping to minimise the risk of infections occurring.
Prof Tracey Carter, chief nurse and executive director responsible for infection prevention and control, said staff had worked hard to decrease the number of patients contracting bugs in hospital.
She said that over the last year, the rate of Clostridium difficile, a type of bacterial infection that can affect the digestive system, had dropped by 18 per cent and in the last five years had improved by more than half.
Prof Carter went on: “Reducing healthcare associated infections has been a key priority for our hospitals over recent years.”
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