How we are doing in the fight against infections

Clean hands

We are working hard to reduce avoidable infections and to provide a clean and safe environment for patients, their relatives and our staff. We audit hand hygiene compliance monthly, with weekly spot checks.

Hand hygiene compliance March 2009 = 98%

MRSA

Last year we reduced MRSA bloodstream infections by 29%, down from 41 cases in 2007/08 to 29 cases in 2008/09. In 2008/09 we had 64,597 inpatient admissions.

That means that only 0.04% of inpatients developed an MRSA bloodstream infection.

Our target for this year (2009/10) is a further reduction to no more than 24 cases.

Clostridium difficile

Last year we achieved a 26% reduction in our number of hospital-acquired cases from 399 to 294.

This year's target (2009/10) is a further reduction to no more than 240 cases.

In 2008/09, 0.46% of inpatients had Clostridium difficile associated diarrhoea.

For more detailed information on infection control please see our Patient Information Leaflets