Department of Health steps up campaign on MRSA infections
NHS staff members have been applauded for going beyond the Government’s target of halving MRSA blood stream infections across England.
Health Secretary Alan Johnson welcomed the latest quarterly results published by the Health Protection Agency, which indicated a 57% fall in MRSA infection compared to the base level in 2003/4, when the target was set.
The figures show that MRSA bacteraemia infection risk is at its lowest for five years. According to Johnson, the Government’s strategies for tackling infections, such as the new bare below the elbows dress code that was introduced to support the hand hygiene campaign are bearing fruit.
"Our strategy for tackling infection is clearly delivering results and the NHS continues to work hard to ensure hospitals are clean and safe for patients. But we are certainly not complacent and we won't stop here," said Johnson. "Healthcare associated infections present a huge challenge to health services across the world and we will continue to do all we can to tackle them."
The Government is stepping up its efforts with the launch of its 'Showcase Hospital’ scheme. As part of the scheme, seven hospitals will be targeted to trial new and innovative products to further reduce and prevent healthcare associated infections. The hospitals will then work with NHS Purchasing ans Supply Agency (PASA) to make the successful products available across the NHS as quickly as possible.
Johnson said: "Hand hygiene, high standards of cleanliness, bare below the elbows, deep clean of hospitals and screening patients for MRSA are all vital elements of our strategy, so too is sensible use of antibiotics. But now we are stepping up a level and looking increasingly towards technology and design to play its part in the fight against infection which is why I am delighted to be launching the 'Showcase Hospital' scheme."
The seven new showcase hospitals are just one way that will enable the NHS to sustain the reduction in MRSA infections. PASA are also launching the Design Bugs Out project. Top designers have been challenged to design new furniture, equipment and services for hospital wards that will enhance cleanliness and help to reduce healthcare associated infections.
The Government will now work with the NHS to sustain this reduction in MRSA infections, as well as delivering a 30% reduction in C. difficile in the next three years. The Department of Health is investing £270m per year by 2010/11 in improving infection prevention and control - this includes stringent hand-washing guidance for the NHS, clear guidance on appropriate antibiotic prescribing and the clinical care of patients with healthcare associated infections.
Johnson spoke whilst meeting infection control nurses and other staff at one of the new 'Showcase Hospitals', Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in London.
The technologies being tested are:
1. Bardex IC - Bard - silver alloy coated hydrogel catheters
2. ChloraPrep – Enturia, which is used for skin disinfection before skin is punctured
3. Hydrogen Peroxide Vapour System – BIOQUELL – used for decontaminating enclosed rooms/units.
4. Flexi-Seal, a faecal management system, from ConvaTec.
5. Zassi – a bowel management system from Hollister
6. Clean-Trace Hygiene Monitoring System - 3M a testing system, which can detect in seconds whether, surfaces and equipment are sufficiently clean.
The seven Showcase Hospitals are;
Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust
Central Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust
County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust
The Lewisham Hospital NHS Trust
The Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust
Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust
