18 September 2008
New figures released today by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) show a drop in the number of cases of MRSA at Epsom, Sutton and St Helier hospitals. The results show that there were 10 cases of MRSA bacteraemia found in patients between April and June compared with 13 for the previous quarter (a drop of almost 25%). More significantly, however, the figures show that there has been a 50% cut when compared to the same quarter in 2007 (20).
Samantha Jones, Chief Executive, said: "Infection control continues to be the Trust's number one priority and I am very pleased with the new figures. We have put in place a raft of tough measures to cut the number of infections, including an extension to our MRSA screening programme, so that we can detect and treat it quicker. We are not complacent, however, and will continue to do all we possibly can in our fight against MRSA and other infections."
The Trust continues to see a significant number of cases of MRSA being brought into hospital from the local community (i.e. they were found to have MRSA within 48 hours of arrival). Between April and June there were five people found to have MRSA bacteraemia with 48 hours of arrival, with eight between January and March.
Ms Jones continued: "We are working very closely with our local primary care trusts to try and reduce the number of MRSA bacteraemias being brought into our hospitals from the local community, including from nursing and other care homes."
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;
- Launching a major hand hygiene awareness campaign targeted at staff, patients and visitors;
- Undertaking a £300,000 deep clean of our hospitals.
