FEWER patients are catching potentially deadly superbug infections at St Mary’s Hospital, a new report has revealed.
A raft of measures drafted in to reduce C.diff rates has seen the number of cases slashed by almost a half, from 176 cases in 2007/08 to 94 in 2008/09.
Meanwhile, the number of people who caught MRSA remained reletively low, with ten reported cases.
This still exceeded the Island’s upper limit of eight and was four more than in 2007/08.
As a result, NHS Isle of Wight said further priority will be given to reduce risk, with policies in place to prevent contamination.
The latest Infection Prevention and Control Report outlines the steps taken to reduce C.diff rates, including more rapid laboratory diagnosis and isolation care precautions to protect other patients, and improvements to the way in which patients with diarrhoea are identified and tested for the bug.
The use of broad spectrum antibiotics has also been controlled to reduce risk.
From March 31, MRSA screening was implemented at St Mary’s Hospital, whereby all elective patients are screened for the deadly bug prior to being admitted to hospital.
During the year, there were no hospital outbreaks of Norovirus, although cases did appear in the wider community.
"The high standards of practice put into place have proved that good infection control clinical practice measures, cleanliness and prudent antibiotic prescribing really work in tackling healthcare acquired infections," said Dr Suzanne Chapman, consultant mircobiologist and infection control doctor.
"We have seen a real reduction in C.diff and must continue the momentum. The challenge for 2009/10 is to reduce risk for MRSA bloodstream infections even further."
Reporter: martinn@iwcpmail.co.uk