MRSA reduced at Infirmary

The number of cases of MRSA has been reduced at Rochdale Infirmary.

Patients developing an MRSA bloodstream infection at the Infirmary have been reduced by 60% this year and the number of patients with the Clostridium Difficile diarrhoea infection has fallen by 28%.

There were just six cases of patients with MRSA bacteraemias between April 2008 and March 2009, compared with 15 in the previous year.

Marian Carroll, director of nursing and director of infection prevention control at Pennine Acute Trust, said: "This is excellent news for our patients and the public we serve.

“It is also a fantastic achievement on the part of Trust clinicians who have responded so positively to the national imperative to reduce hospital acquired infections.

“It is moreover a ringing success for the wider health community where there has been a concerted effort by Trust and PCT colleagues to control and prevent infection.

“The prevention and control of MRSA and Healthcare Associated Infection (HCAI) remain priorities for the Trust.

“The Trust and PCTs are fully committed to working together to control the spread of infection and help reduce risks for all patients."

Despite a fall in reported cases of MRSA bacteraemia, the Trust has introduced MRSA screening for elective admissions in line with national guidelines.

It is expected that this increase in screening will further reduce the number of cases of MRSA bacteraemia at Rochdale Infirmary.

The screening programme has been introduced as part of wider NHS commitments to reduce infections.

John Jesky, Chairman of the Trust, said: "Staff should be justifiably proud of this achievement which is the result of an enormous and concerted effort.

“The Trust Board remains committed to the reduction of Health Care Acquired Infections as a priority."

John Saxby, Trust Chief Executive, said: "The reduction of Health Care Acquired Infections was and remains a key objective for the Trust.

“The battle against HCAI is being fought by clinical teams at the point of Patient Care.

“I would like to thank all staff for working together to achieve and sustain such a massive improvement in patient care.”

Pennine Acute Trust reported just 34 cases of patients with MRSA bacteraemias between April 2008 and March 2009, compared with 77 from the previous year, a 56% reduction.

The figures for Clostridium Difficile diarrhoea over the same period were 472 this year and 529 last year, an 11% reduction.