The rapid review panel was convened by the HPA at the request of the Department of Health. The panel provides assessment of new and novel equipment, materials and other products or protocols that may be of value to the national health service in improving hospital infection control and reducing health care associated infections (HCAIs). This includes air decontamination products.
To date the panel has published 170 reports on its website at hwww.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/rapid_review/new_reports.htm 24 of these are on air decontamination products. However, there is little evidence to show that air plays a significant role in the transmission of most HCAIs.
The Department works closely with the HPA through not just the RRP, and the HPA is actively involved in our comprehensive programme to combat HCAIs.