Infection control improvements

Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie have beaten tough infection control targets.

 

Figures for 2010/11 show significant improvements on the number of cases of MRSA and Clostridium difficile.

The targets for the hospitals were no more than 108 cases of Clostridium difficile and 10 of MRSA for the whole year. Results show there were 92 cases of Clostridium difficile and six of MRSA – improvements of 27 per cent and 70 per cent on the previous 12 months.  

Lisa Knight, deputy chief nurse, said: “This is great news for patients, but it also highlights the hard work and commitment of all staff at Addenbrooke’s and the Rosie.

 

“We set ourselves tough targets for infection control to help us keep the number of cases falling. All our staff are committed to a zero-tolerance approach to infections and this is supported by our cleaning, hygiene and hand-washing practices, together with our antibiotic prescribing policy.

 

“Visitors can also help us to fight infections by cleaning their hands when entering and leaving wards and clinics, not visit in large groups, and not sitting on patient beds.”

 

Dr Jag Ahluwalia, medical director, added: “I would like to praise the efforts of staff and thank visitors for their continued help and support. I am confident we can continue to improve on our already excellent reductions of healthcare-associated infections.”

 

NHS Cambridgeshire sets the ceiling for the number of cases of infection at the hospitals. For 2011/12, there will be even lower targets: no more than seven cases of MRSA and 85 cases of Clostridium difficile.

 

 

 

 

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