Worthing and Southlands beating MRSA
THE battle against potentially fatal infections like MRSA and C.diff is being won, according to Worthing and Southlands Hospital medical director Mike Rymer.
The hospital trust has seen a 33 per cent reduction in the number of C.diff cases this year, compared with 2006 – an infection which causes chronic diarrhoea and can be fatal, particularly for elderly patients.
West Sussex Primary Care Trust set Worthing and Southlands a target of a 20 per cent reduction in C.diff cases, which it has exceeded.
A target of 12 cases of MRSA for the year was also set but the hospitals trust has already had that number, so it will not meet that figure.
But Mr Rymer said: "Twelve is a pretty tough number to meet – one a month.
"But we would like to see zero cases of MRSA and C.diff, so we are working hard to get the numbers reduced."
The hospitals have introduced various measures in the battle to wipe out the deadly bacteria which causes the two infections.
The infection barrier at the entrance of the hospitals encourages visitors, patients and staff to wash their hands with their alcohol gel in the fight against MRSA and other viruses and micro fibre cleaning of wards is also taking place.
New high-tech, wipe-clean duvets are also being trialled in two wards at Worthing Hospital in the fight to reduce infections.
The duvets are easier to change, lighter for the patient and are expected to lead to a reduction in laundry bills for the hospital trust of 90,000 a year.
All wards are expected to be using the new duvets by the end of this month, if the trial is successful.
Mr Rymer said there were also other measures being put in place to tackle the spread of C.diff.
Washing hands with soap and hot water between examining each patient, deep cleansing of wards, clinicians not wearing ties in medical areas and rolling up their sleeves and special wipe surfaces on keyboards are all being introduced to tackle the spread of the spores.
He said: "We also now test a patient for C.diff immediately, if they develop diarrhoea, and we isolate them.
"The area will be deep cleaned and we try not to overuse antibiotics, which can lower the patients' immune system, making them vulnerable to C.diff.
"MRSA and C.diff can be disastrous and it is a worry for patients coming into hospital, but we are battling to get the number of cases down."
To find out more about C.diff click here to read the NHS Direct guide.
For more information about MRSA click here to read the NHS Direct guide.
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Weather for Worthing
Tuesday 29 May 2012
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 11 C to 21 C
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Wind direction: West
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Light showers
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