Superbug levels in OAPs at record high

Published on 02/07/2008 22:27

THE number of pensioners diagnosed with the Clostridium difficile superbug has risen to record levels, it was revealed yesterday.

A report published by Health Protection Scotland (HPS) showed 1,861 patients aged over 65 in Scotland became infected with C difficile between January and March this year – a 16 per cent increase from 1,608 in the last quarter of 2007.

Three quarters of those are thought to have contracted the infection while in hospital.

An outbreak of the bug earlier this year at the Vale of Leven Hospital in West Dunbartonshire was the main cause of death in nine people, while more than 50 patients were infected.

A second report also released yesterday, showed a fall in cases of MRSA, another hospital-acquired infection (HAI). Cases of MRSA in Scotland fell to 193 in the first quarter of this year, the lowest level since monitoring began three years ago.

A further report, released by HPS, on hand hygiene among health staff found 88 per cent were now regularly washing their hands or using alcohol gel, compared to 68 per cent last year. The government target is 90 per cent.

Nicola Sturgeon, the health secretary, said: "Events at Vale of Leven show how vital it is to ensure policies and procedures are applied to a high standard."

But Margaret Watt, chair of the Scottish Patients' Association, said: "They have been trying so hard to eradicate MRSA they have forgotten about C diff."