Commenting on the publication of C. difficile and MRSA figures for 2007 by the Office for National Statistics Dr Angela Shaw, Director of Infection Prevention and Control at Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals said:  “The rate of MRSA bacteraemia at Ashford and St. Peter’s has fallen to such an extent that the Trust had the lowest rate in Surrey in 2007/08 and levels of C. difficile have fallen significantly since July 2007 but can be driven down further.  In 2007/08 there were a total of 15 cases of MRSA bacteraemia – less than half the number of cases in 2006/07.    Of these 15 cases, 7 (47%) were admitted from the community with MRSA including one from a hospital abroad. None of the hospital acquired cases died as a result of the MRSA infection.”

Turning to C. difficle Dr Shaw said: “In January to March 2008 there were 69 cases of C. difficilediagnosed by the Trust.   This compares to 93 cases in October to December 2007, 121 cases July to September 2007 and 197 cases April to June 2007.   These include inpatients and community cases.  C. difficile remains a national problem with rates increasing significantly when areas are affected by Norovirus.  Following an outbreak of Norovirus at Ashford and St. Peter’s in April and May 2007 the numbers of C. difficilecases at Ashford and St Peter’s have steadily reduced from 115 cases in April to June 2007, 62 cases in July to September, 43 cases in both October to December 2007 and January to March 2008 with a further drop to 39 cases in the most recent quarter, April to June 2008.”

“We take our responsibilities to protect patients from infections very seriously.   At Ashford and St. Peter’s we encourage all visitors to help us combat infections by cleansing their hands when they enter the hospital.   Gel dispensing facilities are provided in all the major entrances and at the entrance to every Ward.   However we know that for C. difficile gel alone is not effective and everyone must cleanse their hands with soap and water as well.   This is applicable if hands are visibly dirty or if the patient has been experiencing vomiting or diarrhoea then the healthcare staff must wash their hands with liquid soap and water.   Our staff are well aware of the need to cleanse their hands between every patient and every procedure and do not mind patients challenging them on whether they have cleansed their hands – indeed we actively encourage this.”

Initiatives introduced by the Infection Control Team at both Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals to combat Healthcare Acquired Infections (HCAIs) include:

·          ‘Clean Your Hands’ campaign with gel dispensing machines and signage placed at entrances throughout both hospital sites

·          ‘talking frames’ near ward and clinical areas which are activated by movement and remind people to cleanse their hands;

·          introduction of the Microfibre cleaning system at Ashford Hospital;

·          a review of Antibiotic prescribing guidelines and employment of a dedicated antibiotics pharmacist;

·          a review of the widely used Infection Control Manual and the introduction of Infection Control ‘outbreak packs’ to wards and clinical areas enabling them to quickly implement additional infection control measures when they are needed.