Independent Nurse: Opinion - Infection control is everyone's business.

The past few weeks have been a difficult time for the NHS with regard to healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).

The pictures of overcrowded wards and filthy sinks and commodes were terrible. Nurses have also been on the radio saying how bad things are - standards are not what they used to be, patients are pushed through too fast and government targets are the root cause of all ills.

Sensationalism may sell papers, but it doesn't help patients or the population at large to trust the NHS. I'm not sure jumping on any particular side is helpful either. Attributing blame will not resolve this very difficult and serious issue.

The biggest cause of HAIs …