The number of people in Scotland who died in 2009 from C. difficile has fallen by 44%, according to the latest figures from the General Register Office for Scotland.
There were 139 deaths in which C. difficile was the underlying cause of death. Health Secretary, Nicola Sturgeon, said: “Infection rates have been steadily declining in recent months and are now at their lowest level since monitoring began. It is good news that, as we expected, death rates are mirroring this trend. However, we are not complacent – one death is one too many. Tackling hospital infections remains a priority. Everyone – staff, patients and visitors – have a role to play in making sure good standards of cleanliness and hand hygiene are maintained.”
