This would not only reassure the public, but it would also encourage hospital staff to continue their efforts.
It is important to remind people that NI's are picked up in hospitals and completely unrelated to the original disease of affliction that resulted in the patient's hospitalization. Those struck by severe NI's are all to often left on their own when they leave the hospital: insufficient follow-up, costly medications that cause financial strain for patients, and no financial support for those incapacitated or killed by a NI. It was however, the hospital that caused the infection.
In the past decade most European countries have taken a more aggressive and effective stance against NI's: national hand cleanliness campaigns, information campaigns warning the public about the inappropriate use of antibiotics, publishing the infection rates of each hospital, seminars, quarantining infected patients in private rooms, hospitals cleaning staff uniforms etc. In the last case, health care workers are forbidden to wear their uniform outside the hospital. The implementation of these measures resulted in a steadily declining infection rate. For the purpose of comparison, the NI rate in Quebec is 10% but only 4.9% in France.
Quebec's hospitals must make the fight against NI's a priority and make a concerted effort to reduce them. According to more and more specialists and specialists associations, hospitals should now aim a close to zero rate hospital-acquired infection: it is technically and financially feasable, but requires leadership.
Read more on the subject: Association for Professional in Infection Control
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