DoH publishes MRSA report

The Department of Health (DoH) has published its report examining the variation in rates of the hospital infection MRSA between different hospitals from 2001 to 2006.

Hospital Organisation, Speciality Mix and MRSA reveals that there has been a 27 per cent fall in the probability that a patient will acquire MRSA as compared to 2001/02.

It also shows that high bed occupancy and greater use of temporary nursing staff contributed to observations of higher MRSA rates up to 2003/04.

However, in recent years the report illustrates that these relationships have weakened and are no longer statistically significant.

The study also suggests that government initiatives implemented over the last three years, including the launch of MRSA targets, the cleanyourhands campaign and more intensive support to trusts, have all contributed to the fall in MRSA infection rates.

Health minister Ann Keen said the report provided a comprehensive guide on infection control and that it built on the department’s current work in the area.

She went on to advise: “Thorough cleaning, rigorous hand washing and sensible antibiotic prescribing must be maintained at every hospital, every time.”

This week has also seen some Labour MPs criticise an EU healthcare directive due to be published this week that could enable British patients to travel abroad for treatment which would then be paid for by the NHS.