Cases of MSSA were cut from 12 in 2010-11 to 9 last year (2011-12).
What is MSSA?
MSSA stands for Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. These are strains of common bacteria and the majority although not all, are treatable by antibiotics such as flucloxacillin. MSSA can cause the same type of infections as antibiotic resistant strains (MRSA) but they are often easier to treat.
About 30% of the general population carry Staphylococcus aureus in their nose or on their skin as part of the normal way in which bacteria lives on our bodies. The majority of people with MSSA are 'colonised' - this means that they carry the bacteria harmlessly and suffer no ill effects.
In a few cases, Staphylococcus aureus can cause a range of illnesses from minor skin infections, such as pimples, impetigo and boils to more serious conditions diseases such as pneumonia and meningitis.
How is MSSA spread?
It is usually spread by person to person contact, mainly by the hands. This is why good hand hygiene by everyone is so important. It may also be found in dusty environments and can survive for hours, days, weeks and - sometimes - even months on dry surfaces.
On this page you can find the Trust's weekly report on MSSA infections:
MSSA infections per week per hospital site
| Week ending |
Epsom Hospital |
St Helier Hospital |
Sutton Hospital |
| 20/05/12 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 13/05/12 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 06/05/12 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
| 29/04/12 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 22/04/12 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 15/04/12 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| 08/04/12 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
| Total |
0 |
1 |
0 |
Trust-wide figures
Year to date performance
MSSA: 1 case
