Patients are so concerned about contracting infections while they are in hospital that they would travel up to 100 miles to avoid being treated by a trust with a poor record for superbugs, research has revealed.
At a time when studies suggest hospitals could be becoming complacent about infection prevention and control, the issue is still at the forefront of patients’ minds, according to new research by MindMetre.
This research clearly demonstrates that acute trusts need to take their initiatives to reduce infections even more seriously if they are to avoid patients opting to be treated at a hospital with a better record, with funds following that patient
The probe looked at the likelihood of British citizens insisting on treatment at an alternative hospital if their local provider had a below-average record of healthcare associated infection reduction. It also asked how far they would be prepared to go to get treatment in a safer environment.
The findings from the study show:
- 76% of citizens said that if they learned their hospital was a low performer on infection prevention, they would insist their GP referred them to a hospital with a better record
- 83% would be happy to travel 20 miles to be treated in a hospital with a better infection reduction record than their local hospital
- 62% would be happy to travel 50 miles for treatment
- and 48% would be happy to travel 100 miles in the same situation
Paul Lindsell, managing director at MindMetre Research, said: “In the new structure of the NHS, with acute clinical services commissioned by GP-managed clinical commissioning groups (CCG), patient mobility has become a clear and present reality. Patients, in partnership with their GP, can choose to be treated at an acute trust of their choice, with the associated funds following the patient. CCGs are clearly charged with the mandate to improve patient outcomes, and so offering this level of patient choice is systemically built in to the new NHS structure.
“Acute trusts have done a great job addressing very specific healthcare associated infections, notably MRSA and C.difficile, but there is a rising tide of other infections, and the problem needs to be addressed holistically.”
“This research clearly demonstrates that acute trusts need to take their initiatives to reduce infections even more seriously if they are to avoid patients opting to be treated at a hospital with a better record, with funds following that patient.”
