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C difficile infections continue to fall at Trust
Written by Communications Lead   

C. difficile infections are continuing to fall, as the latest quarterly statistics from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) published this week show, and this is reflected in the reducing number of infections reported by Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals NHS Trust.
 
The latest figures show 34 inpatient cases of C. difficile reported in the Trust between July and September 2008.  This represents a 59% reduction compared to the same quarter last year and an 76% reduction since April – June 2007. The Trust continues to maintain this reduction, with a record low of 4 inpatient cases reported for December 2008. 
 
 
Dr Angela Shaw, Director of Infection Control at the Trust commented:
 
 “We are extremely pleased to see the numbers of C. difficile cases continue to fall. At Ashford and St. Peter’s we are committed to tackling hospital acquired infections and continue to encourage all visitors to help us combat these 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 wash their hands with soap and water as well if caring for a patient with C difficile.  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.”
 
Further initiatives introduced by the Infection Control Team at both Ashford and St. Peter’s Hospitals to combat Healthcare Acquired Infections (HCAIs) include:
 
·          continuing with the ‘Clean Your Hands’ campaign. This includes the “Your 5 moments for Hand Hygiene” to ensure hand hygiene is delivered at the point of care. Hand hygiene compliance audits are carried out monthly;
 
·          ‘talking frames’ near ward and clinical areas which are activated by movement and remind people to cleanse their hands;
 
·          ongoing Deep Cleaning Programme for ward and departments;
 
·          updated Antibiotic prescribing guidelines, with regular antibiotic ward rounds and audits of antibiotic prescribing performed by a microbiologist and antibiotic pharmacist to ensure compliance;
 
·          improved speed of isolation of patients with C difficile into side rooms to reduce the risk to other patients. Weekly C difficile ward rounds lead by a Consultant Gastroenterologist.
 
·          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.
 
·          ongoing education programme to ensure that all clinical and non clinical staff have an annual infection control update.
 
Last Updated ( Friday, 16 January 2009 16:14 )