WINCHESTER hospital chiefs are celebrating double good news in the battle to stamp out superbugs.
There have been no new cases of hospital-acquired MRSA bloodstream infections at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in the past nine months while cases of clostridium difficile are also down compared to the same period last year.
MRSA infections have reduced since Dr Chris Gordon consultant physician, pictured, and Sister Rachel Wright introduced a new system for inserting intravenous fluid tubes. Previously, patients were given cannulae by nurses as a routine part of medical car e.
But since November 2007, the use of cannulae has to be prescribed by a doctor to ensure they are only used when absolutely necessary.
Once in place, the patient’s skin is inspected daily to spot early signs of infection.
Meanwhile cases of clostridium difficile are also down after an outbreak last February. Since April, there have been 35 reported cases.
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