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26/08/2005
Hospital bug cases on the increase
Figures released today by the Department of Health and the Health Promotion Agency (HPA) show in 2004 there were 44,488 cases of Clostridium difficile infection among over 65s across Britain.
Chief Nursing Officer, Christine Beasley, said: "Clostridium difficile diarrhoea occurs in patients who have received broad spectrum antibiotics, particularly the elderly and debilitated, but most patients make a full recovery. We have seen a rise in cases over the past decade, some of which is due to better reporting, but much of which is due to the increased number of patients with serious underlying illness who need antibiotics."
She said that Clostridium difficile and glycopeptide resistant enterococci were added to the mandatory surveillance system in order to to help the NHS establish the scale of the problem, and provide better information to help improve infection control.
Last year, 620 cases of infections with glycopeptide resistant enterococci.
Commenting on today’s figures Dr Paul Grime, Deputy Chair of the BMA’s Occupational Health Committee said: “If we’re going to successfully tackle the problem of hospital acquired infections, we need a co-ordinated approach across the whole hospital community - doctors, nurses, cleaners, managers, patients and their visitors - all taking action on hygiene. And the Government must ensure that hospitals are properly funded to do that job effectively.”
Guidance has been issued on dealing with outbreaks, including advice on antibiotic policies and isolating affected patients.
While this is being reviewed, Clostridium difficile will be included in a nationwide programme aimed at reducing hospital acquired infections such as MRSA.
(CD/SP)
Chief Nursing Officer, Christine Beasley, said: "Clostridium difficile diarrhoea occurs in patients who have received broad spectrum antibiotics, particularly the elderly and debilitated, but most patients make a full recovery. We have seen a rise in cases over the past decade, some of which is due to better reporting, but much of which is due to the increased number of patients with serious underlying illness who need antibiotics."
She said that Clostridium difficile and glycopeptide resistant enterococci were added to the mandatory surveillance system in order to to help the NHS establish the scale of the problem, and provide better information to help improve infection control.
Last year, 620 cases of infections with glycopeptide resistant enterococci.
Commenting on today’s figures Dr Paul Grime, Deputy Chair of the BMA’s Occupational Health Committee said: “If we’re going to successfully tackle the problem of hospital acquired infections, we need a co-ordinated approach across the whole hospital community - doctors, nurses, cleaners, managers, patients and their visitors - all taking action on hygiene. And the Government must ensure that hospitals are properly funded to do that job effectively.”
Guidance has been issued on dealing with outbreaks, including advice on antibiotic policies and isolating affected patients.
While this is being reviewed, Clostridium difficile will be included in a nationwide programme aimed at reducing hospital acquired infections such as MRSA.
(CD/SP)
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