7:30am Wednesday 9th September 2009
By Clare Kennedy
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.
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