NEW Health Protection Agency data released for North Hampshire Hospital at Basingstoke has revealed a marked reduction in the number of patients infected with the MRSA superbug. The figures for North Hampshire Hospital - which serves the Alton, Bordon and Basingstoke area, show 29 cases of MRSA reported in April 2001 to March 2002, falling to 20 in the third year of surveillance (2003). The latest figures published on Monday show just four cases of MRSA bacteraemias (bloodstream infections) for the last six- month period of April to September 2004. The figures reflect the national trend which has seen figures fall from 3,598 for the same period (April to September) in 2003 to 3,519 infections in English hospital for 2004. The news has triggered claims by central government that hospitals have reached a "turning point" in the fight against superbugs. By releasing six-month rather than annual data, ministers have been able to point to a fall of 6.3 per cent in cases of the potentially deadly infection methicillin-resistant staphyloccocus aureus. But the six-month figures are based on summer rates which are known to be lower than winter rates and, with election fever honing in on health, MRSA has become a key issue. Alton MP Michael Mates has urged the government to put aside differences and look seriously at Conservative proposals for tackling hospital infections by reintroducing matrons with responsibility for cleanliness. "We cannot ignore the latest official statistics: they show that the number of deaths in which the hospital superbug MRSA has been cited as a cause of death has doubled in four years. Figures from the Office for National Statistics show that in 2003 MRSA was mentioned on 955 death certificates - up from 487 in 1999. "I accept that some of the rise may be down to better reporting of the bug but we cannot run away from the alarming fact that Britain has a serious infection problem in its hospitals and that it is worse in the UK than in most other western European countries," he said. According to a national news report, the Chief Medical Officer for England, Prof Sir Liam Donaldson, has called for a "short punchy" Health Care Hygiene Act to tackle the spread of MRSA and other hospital-acquired infections which are said to kill around 5,000 patients a year. While falling short of the radical action urged by Sir Liam, Health Secretary John Reid has announced this week that the government is in fact exploring the possibility of imposing a statutory hygiene code on hospitals, care homes and nursing homes. Meanwhile, North Hampshire Hospital has been accepted as a pilot hospital for the "Have you Cleaned your Hands" campaign run by the National Patient Safety Agency. This involves: • Placing disinfectant hand rubs near to where staff have patient contact • Displaying posters and promotional materials where they will influence staff, patients and visitors • Involving patients and visitors in improving hand hygiene During the six-month project staff will be encouraging patients and visitors to ask "Have you Cleaned your Hands?" by wearing badges, stickers and aprons with the message "It's OK to ask".
