Fall in MRSA and C.difficile cases
Wednesday, 30 Jan 2008 10:38
Latest HPA figures show MRSA and C.difficile rates fell in mid-2007
Latest figures have shown a fall in cases of the healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) MRSA and Clostridium difficile during mid-2007.
Healthcare officials and the government have welcomed the decline, praising the efforts of healthcare workers.
Figures from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) show there was an 18 per cent drop in cases of MRSA from the July to September quarter in 2007 from the previous quarter (April to June).
This represents a drop of about 230 cases between the quarters.
And there were 10,734 C.diff cases in patients aged 65 years and over in England reported in the third quarter of 2007 (July to September).
This is a 21 per cent decrease on the previous quarter (April to June), when 13,669 reports were received, and a reduction of 2,087 cases (16 per cent) on the same period last year.
Reducing HCAIs has been high on the government's agenda and a number of strategies have been announced in the last year to achieve this.
All hospitals are to undergo a 'deep clean' by spring this year and new rules on clothing have been announced, including a ban on long-sleeved white coats.
Extra funding of £50 million was also announced last year to help fight infection.
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