The Department of Health (DH) (2003) stated that at any one time 9% of hospital inpatients had a healthcare-associated infection (HCAI). The National Audit Office (2000) estimated that the overall cost of HCAI is approximately £1 billion per year, with the cost of individual treatment around £4,000-£10,000. The DH (2003) guidance, Winning Ways,suggested that many HCAIs are preventable. It is imperative, therefore, that national guidance regarding control of infection is paramount in care delivery and that all nurses perform pin site care in line with strict aseptic technique guidelines (Pratt et al2007).