Reduced Infection Rates in 2007

17/04/08

Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is pleased that it had a reduction in infection rates in 2007.

Maggie Arnold, Trust Nursing Director said:

“From Jan 2007 - Dec 2007 we achieved a 28% reduction in Clostridium difficile (C diff) infections and a 48% reduction in MRSA bacteraemias. Unfortunately since the beginning of 2008 we have seen a slight increase in MRSA and C diff rates. The change in clostridium difficile is due to a natural rise in numbers seen year on year during late winter and early spring. One of the reasons for this is the link between viral gastroenteritis (winter vomiting disease) and transmission of clostridium difficile spores.

"When compared to the same period in 2007 the rate in increase this year has been much lower, despite a large number of cases of viral gastroenteritis in both the hospital and the community. In terms of MRSA this is a very low number and therefore a single case changes the percentage figure markedly. It should also be noted that some of the recent cases were not clinically significant.

"The Trust expects that the downward trend in infection rates which we achieved in 2007 will continue this year.

"I would like to stress that the Trust is not complacent and all infection control issues are extremely important to us.”

The Trust is continuing to introduce new initiatives in order to reduce the numbers of hospital acquired infections. These include the introduction of a new dress code for doctors’ uniforms and investing in a new antibiotic pharmacist.

The Trust is also extending the MRSA screening programme to include all elective surgical inpatients and emergency inpatient admissions.

Hydrogen peroxide cleaning continues to be used to decontaminate clinical areas as required.

For more information please contact Ria Morrison, Communications Officer, on 08454 223563 or email ria.morrison@glos.nhs.uk