Clean hands help NHS to beat deadly bugs

Published on Thursday 9 July 2009 09:52

LOTHIAN hospitals are winning the war on superbugs with hand-washing levels up and rates of MRSA down.

Latest figures from Health Protection Scotland out today revealed that 93 per cent of NHS Lothian staff were meeting national guidelines for hand hygiene, one of the vital measures for combating superbugs like MRSA and C.diff.

Dr Alison McCallum, director of public health and health policy, NHS Lothian, said: "I am pleased that the latest audit shows that NHS Lothian staff continue to meet the very stringent national standards for hand hygiene.

"The report shows 93 per cent compliance in May of this year, a level we are hitting consistently and which is in excess of the 90 per cent target set by the government.

"Staff are aware of the importance of hand hygiene. NHS Lothian is continuing to work to push standards to the highest levels and introducing a range of measures to increase our compliance."

The Hand Hygiene audit comes as the latest figures for MRSA in the Lothians show that between January and March this year there were 30 cases.

That is one fewer case than the same time last year, and the same number recorded in the previous quarter.

Cases of the superbug MSSA have also been reduced in the Lothians, with 55 cases recorded between January and March this year, down from 72 at the same point last year.

Dr Dermot Gorman, consultant in public health, NHS Lothian, said: "We have implemented a range of infection-control measures to bring MRSA infections to the lowest levels since 2003. We have worked hard to exceed our interim target for this quarter and reduce rates of C.diff by a quarter over the past year, from April 2008 to March 2009.

"It is common for rates of C.diff to fluctuate over the busy winter due to increased levels of antibiotics, and a higher number of patients.

"It is known that the prolonged use of antibiotics contributes to C.diff, which is why we have introduced new guidelines for older patients. We have also changed some of the chemicals used in cleaning and continued with education initiatives aimed at staff, patients and visitors."

Nationally rates of C.diff are at their lowest since records began, down 38 per cent on the same period last year, with MRSA down 15 per cent on last year.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon said: "I believe today's reports give real cause for optimism, but we're not complacent. Although we're making good progress, the challenge now is to build on this to eliminate all avoidable infections from hospitals."