Cases of MRSA bacteraemia and C. difficile continue to fall at Epsom, St Helier and Sutton hospitals.
Figures released by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) in January 2009 revealed that the number of cases of MRSA bacteraemia at the Trust fell to seven between July and September 2008. This compares to a total of 10 cases for the previous quarter (April - June) and a reduction of 63% to the same quarter the previous year.
The Trust has also seen cases of C. difficile cut by nearly 50%.
Latest data shows that the number of cases of C. difficile was 26 between July and September 2008, compared to 47 during the previous quarter (April to June).
The Trust has introduced a number of high profile measures in its fight against healthcare acquired infections, including:
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Increasing the training given to all staff about infection control especially the importance of hand hygiene before and after clinical contact;
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Daily monitoring of devices and drips to ensure that we are providing the best care to patients;
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Introducing talking signs to remind ward visitors of the importance of hand hygiene;
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Carrying out a regular audit of hand hygiene in clinical areas;
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Extending our MRSA screening programme so that we can detect and treat it quicker;
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Undertaking a £300,000 deep clean of our hospitals and maintaining a programme of cleaning on the wards;
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Carefully prescribing antibiotics.
