Members of the public are being asked to have their say on proposed new standards aimed at protecting patients and staff from healthcare associated infections in public acute hospitals.

A healthcare associated infection is an infection that is acquired after contact with the health service. Around one in every 20 patients in acute healthcare settings are affected by such infections and this problem is exacerbated by the increasing problem of antibiotic resistance.

Common healthcare associated infections include pneumonia, urinary tract infections and gastroenteritis.

The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has published the Draft Revision of the National Standards for the Prevention and Control of Healthcare Associated Infections in Acute Healthcare Services. This contains 31 standards which would apply to all public acute hospitals in the country.

"The draft standards are designed to promote a safe and effective infection prevention and control environment within acute hospitals, with the goal of reducing healthcare associated infections. We would urge patients, their families, service providers and the public to become involved in developing these standards," commented HIQA's director of standards and quality improvement, Marie Kehoe-O'Sullivan.

Such standards have not been updated since 2009.

"Preventing and controlling healthcare associated infections continues to be a significant challenge to healthcare systems everywhere. It is critically important that all Irish hospitals continue their best efforts to fully comply with national standards, and to prioritise areas that need to improve. Senior management in the hospitals and in the HSE are accountable for implementing national standards," Ms Kehoe-O'Sullivan noted.

The development of new standards will commence next year, however members of the public only have until November 18 to give their feedback on these draft standards.

The draft standards can be read here. To take part in the public consultation, click here