epic3: National evidence based guidelines for preventing healthcare-associated infections in NHS hospitals in England (January 2014)

Summary

These guidelines (epic3) provide comprehensive recommendations for preventing healthcare associated infections in hospital and other acute care settings based on the best currently available evidence. National evidence-based guidelines are broad principles of best practice that need to be integrated into local practice guidelines and audited to reduce variation in practice and maintain patient safety.

Clinically effective infection prevention and control practice is an essential feature of patient protection. By incorporating these guidelines into routine daily clinical practice, patient safety can be enhanced and the risk of patients acquiring an infection during episodes of healthcare in NHS hospitals in England can be minimised.