Superbugs 'outside risk'

MORE than half of superbugs found in hospital have been brought in from outside.

Analysis of 23 cases of staphylococcus aureus - which includes MRSA - found that 14 had not developed in hospitals.

Health chiefs said the figures show that while cleanliness in hospitals is key, responsibility for reducing infections also lies with patients, staff and visitors.

NHS Lothian's director of public health, Dr Alison McCallum, said: "Work is ongoing so we can look back at where patients' infections may have been acquired."