Southampton hospitals winning war against superbugs (From Daily Echo)
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Southampton hospitals winning war against superbugs
7:30am Wednesday 9th September 2009 in
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- By Clare Kennedy » Health Reporter
SUPERBUG infection rates at Southampton General and Princess Anne Hospitals have dropped by nearly 90 per cent, new figures reveal.
There were just two cases of MRSA between April and August, compared to 15 during the same period last year – a drop of 87 per cent.
The number of Clostridium difficile outbreaks have also been reduced by 39 per cent with 73 cases between April and August, compared to 120 during the same time last year.
Tracey Cooper, consultant nurse for infection prevention, said: “We are extremely pleased with these significant drops in infection rates across the trust, which are the result of much hard work in all departments.
“However, we remain vigilant and are determined to reduce rates even further.”
Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs the two hospitals, is one of seven health trusts taking part in a national NHS project to test new products designed to minimise the risk of infections.
The new measures include a hydrogen peroxide vapour decontamination system and a monitoring system to detect whether or not surfaces and equipment are sufficiently clean.
Nearly all adult patients now undergo screening for MRSA before they are admitted and all inpatients are given a special liquid soap to use for the first five days of their hospital stay to reduce bacteria.
Methicillin resistant staphyloccocus aureus is passed on by hand and can cause fever, blood poisoning and pneumonia.
Most strains can be treated with antibiotics but it can be fatal to those with weak immune systems.
C difficile, which in most cases spreads after cross infection from another patient, can cause diarrhoea and can be fatal.
Comments(2)
Lone Ranger
says...
3:00pm Wed 9 Sep 09
Thats all very well on surfaces, but, what about the hospitals own staff...Nurses, Doctors Cleaners and Porters........the ones that catch a bus to the hospital and walk around the streets with their uniforms on....what diseases do they carry to and from the hospital.
This is not just about MRSA its about cleanliness in total and the spreading of ANY germs or disease.
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Alicesdad says...
8:43am Wed 9 Sep 09
I do however think that trumpeting a 90% improvement is distorting the reality and smacks of political presentation. The numbers involved are far too small to use percentages.
We have gone from 15 cases to two. Looking at it like that shows it is still happening and still needs vigilance and strict hygeine procedures. They could return to 15 very quickly with just a short lapse in routines cleanliness.
Well done anyway.