A newly-formed group has said that legislation is needed to enforce hospital hygiene standards in order to reduce hospital-acquired infections.
SIN or 'Stop Infection Now' says it will research and provide information to patients on hospital-acquired infection.
Figures indicate that Ireland has one of the highest MRSA infection rates in the world.
Hundreds of people die from hospital-acquired infections in Ireland every year. One quarter of those contracted come from medical devices used during surgery and other procedures.
A recent report form the Health Information and Quality Authority stated that all hospitals must have proper systems in place to prevent such infections.
Recommendations in that report are now the subject of consultation and final standards are due to be produced by the end of this year.
