County’s community hospitals hit all infection prevention targets

12/10/2011

The number of patients contracting infections in Gloucestershire Care Services’ nine community hospitals has fallen again.

The prevention and control of infection is a top priority for Care Services staff, who have played a key role in meeting all targets for 2010-11 and are working on further improvements.

There was a 25% reduction in 2010-11 in cases of clostridium dificile acquired more than 48 hours after admissions to community hospitals. There were 27 cases, compared to 36 cases in 2009-10, 44 in 2008-09 and 113 in 2007-08.

More sensitive testing for C. dificile on samples has meant more reliable detection of this infection, quicker isolation of patients and earlier, more appropriate treatment. The introduction of Difficil-S as a cleaning product has also been effective.

There were no cases in the county’s community hospital of patients contracting an MRSA bloodstream infection (bacteraemia) and a 35% reduction in the number of new cases of MRSA colonisation or infection.

This is likely to be as a result of increased screening and decolonisation, with the risk of ‘carrying’ MRSA bacteria and subsequently becoming infected, decreasing.

Liz Fenton, Head of Nursing for Gloucestershire Care Services, said: “The continued emphasis on infection and prevention control in our hospitals is testament to the hard work of our staff and the co-operation of our patients and their families.

“Infection prevention is a high priority and we will continue to promote the importance of good hygiene through education and training, working with patients and staff.”
 
During 2010-11, there was an increase in the number of staff who received infection prevention and control training. The infection control team has also provided expert advice on aspects of the new build hospitals at Moreton and Dursley.

There has been continued promotion of hand hygiene and education sessions, while patient feedback on cleanliness of the community hospitals has been good.

The results of inspections by the Patient Environment Action Team (PEAT), including attendance and inspection at each site by the infection control nursing team, demonstrate an excellent quality cleaning service.

These figures were presented in the annual report of the Director of Infection Prevention and Control to the Care Services’ Board. The full report is available on the NHS Gloucestershire website.