Building on the progress made on healthcare associated infections in 2011, the Government has announced its latest ambition for the NHS.
Which, if delivered would see a further 29% reduction in MRSA bloodstream infections and a further 18% reduction in C. difficile infections by April 2013 – bringing annual numbers of MRSA bloodstream infections down to 880 and reducing C. difficile infections from 19,754 to 16,100. Recent statistics show that, for the first time since mandatory surveillance began in 2001, MRSA bloodstream infections across the NHS have been sustained at under 100 reported cases per month for the last six months. MRSA numbers are continuing to decrease, with 86 bloodstream infections reported across the NHS in November 2011. On average there is now less than one MRSA infection per Primary Care Trust each month. According to Health Protection Agency (HPA) data, a total of 35 NHS organisations had been free from MRSA bloodstream infections for 12 months in November 2011. This is more than double the 14 organisations who achieved this in May 2010 and just four Trusts were free from MRSA in September 2006. Commenting on the figures, health minister Simon Burns said: “There has been great progress in reducing MRSA bloodstream and C. difficile infections in some parts of the NHS, but we want everyone at the level of the best. This progress shows the impact that our drive for greater transparency and strict infection control measures can have to prevent avoidable infections and help provide a clean and safe environment for patients. We have set each Trust its own objective – to drive further improvements, particularly in the organisations with the highest rates of MRSA bloodstream and C. difficile infections.”
