EU European Commission

Open consultation on improving patient safety by prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections

http://europa.eu.int/comm/health/ph_threats/com/comm_diseases_cons01_en.htm

Response form

on open consultation on a document as the basis for formulating a proposal for recommendations on improving patient safety by prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections

Name of person		Ms E.G.Filby
Institution		Designs For Wellbeing
Address		www.relax-well.co.uk 1 Howard Road, Reigate, Surrey, UK RH2 7JE
Page / heading / paragraph	Subject or original text		Proposed modification (in track changes if possible)	Motivation for modification
Page 11, IVa	‘patient environment, linen and waste’		Please add “air quality and availability of direct sunlight” and also consider the new possibility of bioactive facemasks for patients and visitors	HCAI is also airborne e.g. the bio-aerosol effect but not widely known about. However there are plenty of air decontamination methods including UV – and Florence Nightingale emphasised the vital importance of fresh (clean) air and direct sunlight in preventing the spread of infections (1860) as a general principle. New textile technology is currently an option for the whole of the US population and other countries. The EU could prioritise this for Europe – bird flu applications too.
Page 12, IVb	‘methicillin-resistant’		“meticillin-resistant”?	The UK Health Minister Lord Warner’s letter 28.1.05 pointed out that the new spelling ‘meticillin’ is in accordance with the current international spelling. This was confirmed by the Dept of Health by email and also in the House of Commons5.4.05. What is the current E.U. official spelling?
Page 15, IV,4g	‘development of diagnostic tools…..”		Please add “and shall include the immediate mainstream development and availability of successful holistic methodologies e.g. bacteriophage therapy that has proven successful over several decades in Poland, Georgia, Russia etc with no observed harmful effects.”	Holistic methods including Complementary and Alternative Medicines could now be embraced with the traditional medical methods endorsed by the authorities. There are growing numbers of successful clinical trials with HCAIs. The only difficulties appear to be regulatory and the need for greater official awareness of the potential and public opinion.
Page 15, IV, 4h	-		Please add “funding education and information exchange in educational and public sector/political institutions for all ages and abilities.”	Prevention of HCAIs would probably be cheaper and more effective e.g. by knowledge of probiotics to boost the immune system. Also the Education system needs a change of syllabus/curriculum update to teach even young children about viable alternatives to antibiotics in order to control public health and pandemics in the future. For examples of online resources, please see http://www.relax-well.co.uk/MRSA-information-10.html or for further suggestions contact.

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