Calgary – An expert researcher on the connection between hospital cleaning and health care associated infections will be speaking at a public meeting in Calgary Wednesday evening. The meeting is part of a national tour organized by the Canadian Union of Public Employees.Steve Davies is a senior research fellow at Cardiff University in Wales. He has worked with government bodies, parliamentary authorities, employers and unions, and contributed to the Romanow Commission in 2001.
Davies will describe what health officials in the United Kingdom have done to contain the spread of deadly infections such as C. difficile, MRSA and VRE in health care facilities. In contrast, he will explain how Canadian governments are going down the wrong path with more overcrowding, understaffing, and contracting out of cleaning services.
Health care associated infections are the fourth-leading cause of death in Canada, with an annual infection rate of 220,000, resulting in 8,500-12,000 deaths each year.
The meeting is open to press and public. Davies is available for interviews that afternoon and early evening.
Date: Wednesday May 13, 2009
Time: 7:00 pm
Place: Radisson Inn, 2120 16th Ave NE
Calgary
For more information or interviews: Lou Arab
Communications Representative
780.271.2722
LA/lmac
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