Superbug rates at hospital reduced
HOSPITAL superbug rates at Heath Road were lower than predicted last year, latest figures reveal.A new report on the hospital's infection control performance shows there were expected to be 83 cases of patients contracting Clostridium difficile (C.
IPSWICH: Hospital superbug rates at Heath Road were lower than predicted last year, latest figures reveal.
A new report on the hospital's infection control performance shows there were expected to be 83 cases of patients contracting Clostridium difficile (C.diff) but there were actually just 46 cases.
However it was also revealed that three people died last year from the superbug, which is a bacterium usually caused by antibiotics. Although it can be fatal, this is a rare occurrence.
There were also a total of five cases of MRSA bacterium, which falls just below the expected figure of six cases. MRSA is usually harmless, but in some cases can cause blood poisoning.
Jan Rowsell, Ipswich Hospital spokeswoman, said: “We take every case of infection extremely seriously. “All infections can be life threatening.
“We have very stringent infection control measures which we hope are visible to everyone.
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“We would like to thank the community for helping us in tackling infection prevention and making sure we eliminate all infections that come into the hospital.”
Overall infection rates in the region are among the lowest in the country.
At a board meeting of the strategic health authority, NHS East of England, it was revealed that the region is ranked second in the country for its low rates of C.diff and MRSA for the year (2009/10) to-date.
Dr Paul Cosford, regional director of public health for NHS East of England, said: “The latest figures are great news and will add further momentum to our campaign to eliminate health care associated infections.
“Achieving a ranking of second in the country for having low numbers of MRSA and C.difficile cases is thanks to the ongoing dedication of NHS staff and the rigorous implementation of best practice guidelines throughout the region.”
Have you suffered from an infection and want to tell us about your experience? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk.
