28 January 2010
The number of cases of C. difficile has fallen again at Epsom and St Helier University Hospitals NHS Trust, according to the latest figures from the Health Protection Agency.
The data shows that between September and November 2009, there were 17 cases across the Trust's hospitals, compared to 29 during the same period in 2008 - a drop of 41 per cent.
Chief Executive Samantha Jones said: "The health and wellbeing of each and every one of our patients is at the heart of everything we do. Patient safety is paramount and we will do all we can to cut the number of cases of healthcare acquired infections like C. difficile in our hospitals.
"The latest figures are another boost for the Trust, as they confirm that the measures we've put in place to eliminate healthcare acquired infections are working. However, there's still work to be done and we will not take our success for granted - we are committed to keeping infections at an absolute minimum.
"Good hygiene is still the best defence against C. difficile and that's why we're to making sure that our patients, visitors and staff all know how important it is to wash your hands regularly with soap and water."
C. difficile is a highly infectious bacteria that lives in the gastrointestinal tract of approximately five per cent of the population. Normally, the other bacteria in your gut prevents C. difficile from developing into an illness, but when a patient is put on antibiotics, the balance of bacteria in the gastrointestinal system is affected, and C. difficile may take over, causing severe diarrhoea and inflammation of the colon.
Over the last two years, the Trust has introduced a number of tough measures to control and prevent infections, including:
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Increasing the training given to all staff;
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Carefully prescribing antibiotics
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Regular monitoring of cleanliness levels
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Prompt isolation of patients developing diarrhoea
The Trust also launched a high profile campaign to raise awareness of the importance of infection control and prevention with patients, visitors and staff.
