Galway Clinic's vision on Infection Prevention and Control is to ensure no one is harmed by a possible infection. The infection prevention and control program, policies and procedures are ongoing education for staff enabling them to implement and promote evidence based on up to date best practice in infection prevention and control. Standard precautions are applied for all patients at all times regardless of whether they have an infection or not and additional precaution are implemented when a patient is infectious or suspected to be infectious. Infection prevention is the role of every employee.
Surveillance and audit are important elements of infection prevention and control that inform staff of standards achieved and needs for improvement. The hospital participated in National Surveillance Data Collection for infections and audit allowing for comparison of results and appropriate follow up.
The Infection Prevention and Control Committee continuously update and approve policies based on National and International guidelines. They review surveillance and audit results and make recommendations for improvements and new imitative initiatives to reduce incidents of infection.
The hospital maintains ongoing high standards in infection prevention in line with the Joint Commission International Accreditation Standards. Infection prevention in Galway Clinic include e.g.:
- Screening for infection prior to admission with completion of a questionnaire, this includes question about previous infection risks including MRSA, diarrhoea/vomiting and travel.
- On admission all patients are screened for MRSA and other infectious organisms as per National Guidelines.
- The above allows for efficient and effective isolation and implementation of appropriate infection prevention precautions for infectious and at risk patients.