THEnumber of patients in Welsh hospitals found to have an infection related to their healthcare has fallen significantly in the last five years, a survey has revealed.

And Gwent hospitals, according to the findings of the 2011 study, have among the lowest percentages of patients with a healthcare associated infection (HAI).

The survey, part of a wider European study into HAIs, the use of medical devices – such as catheters and canulas – and the use of antimicrobial drugs in hospitals, involved Wales’ seven heath boards and more than 9,000 patients.

It was carried out last November. The newly published results reveal that 4.4 per cent of those patients had a HAI at the time. A similar survey from 2006 found 6.4 per cent of patients with a HAI.

Urinary tract infections were the most common infection, though superbugs such as Clostridium Difficile and MRSA were also found.

Almost 1,400 of the surveyed patients were inGwent hospitals, more than 900 in either the Royal Gwent or Nevill Hall. Forty-three, or 3.1 per cent, had an infection at survey time.

This rate was the third lowest among Wales’ seven health boards, behind Cwm Taf (1.6 per cent), and Abertawe Bro Morgannwg (2.4 per cent).

Direct comparison is difficult however, as some health boards have more acute hospitals, and treat more complex cases.

At the time of the survey, 37.8 per cent of Gwent patients surveyed had a medical device fitted. This was the second highest rate, behind Cardiff and Vale Health Board.

Infection control teams in Gwent hospitals are beginning a project designed to reduce the amount of devices fitted, or if they are needed, to minimise the length of time they are fitted. The part of the body where such devices are fitted can be vulnerable to infection without stringent maintenance.

Anti-microbial prescribing is key to healthcare, too, but some drugs can make patients more susceptible to infection, such as, in the case of some antibiotics, C Difficile.

More than a quarter of the surveyed patients Wales-wide were being prescribed antimicrobials, though their use is being reduced where appropriate.