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Hospitals winning battle to stop spread of deadly bugs

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Health bosses have beaten targets for limiting the spread of the superbugs MRSA and Clostridium difficile (C diff).

They are now also considering a new treatment to help prevent the future spread of C diff.

There were 94 cases of the infection between April 1, 2012, and the end of March this year at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust. The target was 113.

Only two cases were recorded of MRSA – which is difficult to treat because it is resistant to many antibiotics – against a target of six for the year.

However, the trust will now face financial penalties if patients pick up either of the infections while in hospital.

They it have to pay for the entire treatment of any patient who gets an MRSA infection while in hospital.

In addition, there will be a £50,000 penalty for every patient over the target number of 67 who is affected by C diff.

Dr David Jenkins, a consultant microbiologist at Leicester's hospitals, said: "We have improved hand hygiene and environmental hygiene.

"All adult inpatients are offered daily washes with disinfectant soap.

"All those in hospital also have the body wash while they are there.

"Those considered high risk, such as having surgery and having medical lines into the body, are given anti-bacterial ointment up their nose, where the MRSA bacteria is often found."

Dr Jenkins described the "zero tolerance of avoidable MRSA" set by the Department of Health as "challenging".

He said: "We will carry on doing the things we know work such as hand hygiene and environmental hygiene such as cleaning.

"We also have some of the most rigorous antibiotic controls and have led the way in this.

"We do have knowledge of potential new drugs up our sleeves for C diff.

"There is some promise the new treatment may prevent the development of spores, which are very difficult to kill and which lead to spread of the infection.

"There is also evidence it reduces the number of relapses of the condition, which is very unpleasant."

The cost of the treatment, a new antibiotic, is £1,300 for a day course.

Dr Jenkins said: "If it works, it is going to be cost-effective."

In 2007, Leicester's hospitals were given £1.1 million by the Department of Health to combat infections after 1,920 cases of C diff were recorded the previous year and linked to 80 deaths. In 2002, figures showed that 163 patients at Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester General and Glenfield Hospitals contracted MRSA.

Martin Hindle, chairman of the trust, described the latest infection rates as "a real success story".

He said: "We have had a very busy year and to only have two MRSA infections and see a reduction in C diff is a major and significant achievement."

Hospitals winning battle to stop spread of deadly bugs


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