Information on Loughborough

Fall in MRSA welcomed by Labours Prospective MP for Charnwood.

Posted on 19/09/2008
P. Klein

mrsa

Leicesters hospitals 50% fall in MRSA has been welcomed by Eric Goodyer, Labours Prospective MP for Charnwood.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a bacterium responsible for difficult-to-treat infections in humans. In hospitals, patients that have open wounds, invasive devices, and weakened immune systems are at a far greater risk of infection than the general public. Hospital staff who do not follow the proper sanitary procedures can transfer bacteria from patient to patient. Visitors to patients with MRSA infections or MRSA colonization are typicaly advised to follow hospital isolation protocol by using the provided gloves, gowns, and masks if indicated. Visitors who do not follow these protocols are capable of spreading the bacteria to cafeterias, bathrooms, and elevators.

Figures just released show that annual infection rate for Leicesters Hospitals have fallen from 93 reported cases last to 43 (reporting periods are April to March). This is in line with the latest quarterly results published by the Health Protection Agency, which show that the number of MRSA infections has fallen by 57% compared to the base level in 2003/4 when the target was set.

An intensive programme of deep cleaning and pre-screening, as well as an increase in the number of matrons has been the main source of this success. The Government will now work with the NHS to sustain this reduction in MRSA infections, as well as delivering a 30% reduction in /C. difficile /in the next three years. The Department of Health is investing £270 million per year by 2010/11 to improve infection prevention and control - this includes stringent hand-washing guidance for the NHS, clear guidance on appropriate antibiotic prescribing and the clinical care of patients with healthcare associated infections.

Eric Goodyer, Labours Prospective MP praised NHS staff for this achievement "Thanks to the dedication and hard work of all NHS staff ee have achieved the target of halving MRSA blood stream infections across England. This success contrasts with the Tories proposal to scrap targets for reducing hospital infections."

Andrew Landsley, the Conservative speaker on health said in a press release issued on the 17^th January 2008 "/"There is now a weight of evidence that deep cleaning wont even make any difference. Infections are a major problem in our hospitals. Gordon Browns gimmicks wont solve this."

Landsley was wrong" said Goodyer, "lets hope that he never gets the chance to ruin our hospitals. The Tories have never supported the NHS and never will".

Alan Johnson Secretary of State for Health refering to the figures said "Our strategy for tackling infection is clearly delivering results and the NHS continues to work hard to ensure hospitals are clean and safe for patients. But we are certainly not complacent and we wont stop here. Healthcare associated infections present a huge challenge to health services across the world and we will continue to do all we can to tackle them.

"Hand hygiene, high standards of cleanliness, bare below the elbows, deep clean of hospitals and screening patients for MRSA are all vital elements of our strategy, so too is sensible use of antibiotics. But now we are stepping up a level and looking increasingly towards technology and design to play its part in the fight against infection which is why I am delighted to be launching the Showcase Hospital scheme.

"There were those who said our MRSA target was completely unachievable and it was certainly very challenging. But it is the tremendous efforts of NHS staff that has achieved this significant reduction, resulting in real improvements to patient care."