'More dangerous' strain of superbug found in Scottish hospitals

Published on Saturday 31 January 2009 21:44

A "POTENTIALLY more dangerous" form of the C diff bug has been discovered in Scottish hospitals.

Health chiefs have revealed that the strain of Clostridium difficile, known as Type 078, has been reported more than a dozen times in the past two years. The news has sparked calls for more action to combat hospital-acquired infections.

Figures obtained by Labour MSP Jackie Baillie showed there has been 16 cases of Type 078 reported since 2007.

The Dumbarton MSP said evidence indicates it can cause a more serious illness than other strains of the bug. "I am very worried by the emergence of a new and potentially more dangerous strain of Clostridium difficile in Scottish hospitals," she said. The emergence of this new strain shows there is no room for complacency in the fight against hospital superbugs.

"I want (Health Secretary] Nicola Sturgeon to set a much more ambitious target to reduce the number of C difficile cases by 50%."

The C diff bug played a part, either directly or indirectly, in the deaths of 18 people at the Vale of Leven Hospital in West Dunbartonshire between December 2007 and June 2008.

Holyrood's petitions committee backed calls for a public inquiry into the outbreak when it took evidence from the families affected last month. A written reply from Sturgeon states there is "some evidence to suggest that the 078 strain can cause more serious disease". However, she adds that further study is needed to understand its virulence.

Baillie is also urging Sturgeon to look again at a Labour action plan drawn up with the assistance of Professors Hugh Pennington and Brian Toft and supported by the families affected. "We need better washing facilities, a detailed electronic surveillance system that enables infection-control teams to track the spread of infection in real time and a single NHS commissioner to drive progress," she said.

"Our proposals offer a coherent and focused strategy, which will save lives by making our hospitals cleaner and safer."

Sturgeon insists that tackling hospital-acquired infection is one of the SNP administration's main priorities.

Earlier this month she announced that levels of both MRSA and C diff will have to be reported for individual hospitals on a two-monthly basis, while health boards will have to show how their rates compare with regional and national targets.

Previously, rates of infection were reported less frequently and only by health board area.

Sturgeon said the changes would provide "clear, standardised and transparent" information on infection rates.

"It is vital that everyone has confidence in their NHS and the standard of care they will receive in hospital. That's why tackling healthcare-associated infections is a top priority for us," she said.

"Better monitoring will allow us to identify infection trouble spots and take urgent action."