37,000 people killed by hospital infections in Europe each year, says group

HOSPITAL infections directly kill a staggering 37,000 people annually in Europe and cost already stretched healthcare budgets an estimated €5.5 billion a year, according to a leading healthcare body.

Up to 12% of patients suffer as a result of their treatment or infections caught in hospitals, but with proper management this could be reduced by 40% over the next few years, a conference organised by Health First Europe was told.

The organisation’s honorary president, former Dublin MEP Mary Banotti said a code of practice should be introduced across all EU member states to prevent and control hospital infections.