Consensus standards and performance indicators for prevention and control of healthcare-associated infection in Europe.

Healthcare-associated infection (HCAI) and related problems of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) place a considerable burden on healthcare delivery, patients, their families and carers, and the economy. Once considered a low priority, they are now recognized globally as major patient safety issues. The European Union's Directorate General for Health and Consumer Protection released a public consultation on strategies for improving patient safety by the prevention and control of HCAI, and increased standards of antimicrobial stewardship. They also specified that the 'Improving Patient Safety in Europe' research project they had funded would develop consensus standards and related performance indicators (SPIs) for the prevention and control of HCAI and AMR. This article describes how consensus was reached between 29 participating European countries, the detailed SPIs, and a reduced set of indicators ('13+13') that could be used internationally and nationally to stimulate and review improvement in HCAI prevention and control, and antimicrobial stewardship activities.

Varicella zoster antibodies in healthcare workers from two neonatal units in São Paulo, Brazil--assessment of a staff varicella policy.

Although frequently reported in the literature, a staff varicella policy is not standard in many hospitals even in developed countries. In the present study, we assessed varicella zoster immunity in staff from two neonatal units from hospitals in São Paulo, Brazil. Ninety-seven percent of all staff working in both units agreed to participate. A simple and cost-effective varicella policy was subsequently set up, based on costs and data from serology and a history of previous varicella infection. Our results confirm that a varicella vaccination programme can be implemented in a healthcare facility, even in developing countries.