24 October 2008
New figures released show that cases of C. difficile have been reduced by almost a third at Epsom, St Helier and Sutton hospitals.
Data released by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) reveals that the number of cases of C. difficile at the Trust fell to 66 between April and June 2008. This compares to a total of 95 cases for the same quarter the previous year.
Samantha Jones, Chief Executive, said: "Infection control is the Trust's number one priority and I am very encouraged by the latest figures from the Health Protection Agency.
"Combined with the 50% cut in MRSA cases we announced in September, I hope local people and patients will see how committed we are to reducing the number of healthcare acquired infections we have in our hospitals.
"Our staff and volunteers have worked extremely hard to help us cut the rates of both MRSA and C. difficile and I thank them for their continued support.
"Patients also have a vital role to play too. It is very important that they wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially after using the toilet and before eating."
The Trust has introduced a number of high profile measures in its fight against healthcare acquired infections, including:
- Increasing the training given to all staff about infection control especially the importance of hand hygiene before and after clinical contact;
- Daily monitoring of devices and drips to ensure that we are providing the best care to patients;
- Extending our MRSA screening programme so that we can detect and treat it quicker;
- Launching a major hand hygiene awareness campaign targeted at staff, patients and visitors. This has included talking signs to remind ward visitors of the importance of hand hygiene, and regular audit of hand hygiene in clinical areas;
- Undertaking a £300,000 deep clean of our hospitals and maintaining a programme of cleaning on the wards;
- Carefully prescribing antibiotics.
