PATIENT SAFETY : NEW RECOMMENDATIONS TO PREVENT HOSPITAL INFECTIONS.

Each year, one in twenty patients, ie 4.1 million people, get an infection while hospitalised in the EU. Around 37,000 deaths are directly caused by hospital acquired infections, and an additional 110,000 deaths are induced by infections. The European Commission adopted, on 15 December, a communication and a proposal for a Council recommendation identifying specific actions that member states can take to improve the safety of patients in hospitals.

Health Commissioner Androulla Vassiliou said that "Patient safety is the cornerstone of good quality health care. I...