MSP praises NHS Tayside staff for reduction in superbug count

15 January 2009

Marlyn Glen today praised the work of NHS Tayside’s infection control team in reducing the current level of incidence of the superbug MRSA in hospitals to its lowest level since January 2003.

The number of instances recorded of MRSA in the July-September quarter was 8.

In the comparable quarter last year, the figure was 25, and it has fallen in every successive quarter since.

Offering her congratulations, Ms. Glen said,

" The NHS staff have displayed the true spirit of public service in what Health Protection
Scotland are calling ‘a significant reduction’ in the NHS Tayside figures in the latest quarter."

The number of C difficile associated disease cases (CDAD) in July-September last year , 123, was the lowest figure found for any quarter in the 12-month period ending in that September.

The number of cases of CDAD fell from 580 in 2006/07 to 542 in 2007/08.

The rate of CDAD fell from 1.46 to 1.33 per 1000 total occupied bed days (OBDs) in the same period for those aged 65 and over.

Ms. Glen is also backing Labour plans which aim to cut the number of C difficile infections by half by March 2011.

These include :

Crash programme to provide isolation facilities for all C difficile and MRSA patients.

The provision of quality hand sensor -operated hand- washing facilities.

Superbug analysis at ward level to help track the spread of infection.

Sterile hygiene system for staff uniforms.

Facilities for steam cleaning of beds, curtains etc to be available in every hospital.

Budget for future increases in the levels of MRSA screening activity.