MRSA deaths up by nearly quarter
BBC NEWS - Published:
2006/02/23
The number of deaths
linked to the hospital superbug MRSA has
risen by nearly a quarter, statistics show.
The Office for National
Statistics data revealed that between 2003 and 2004 the mentions of
MRSA on death certificates increased by 22% to 1,168. It does not
necessarily mean the superbug was the cause of death, just that it
contributed to it. Most of the deaths were in the older age groups and
rates were higher among men than women. MRSA was mentioned on two out
of every 1,000 deaths certificates in England and Wales, the
statistics showed. But it was cited as the underlying cause on 360 -
up from 195 in 2000.
The figures have been published a few months before the Healthcare
Commission launches a study into why some trusts have lower MRSA rates
than others.
Despite the rise, Chief Nursing Officer Christine Beasley said: “It is
important to put this in to context. “These figures show that out of
the 12m people that go in to hospital in a year about 360 of them
probably die directly of MRSA, but it is unacceptable for anyone to
die unnecessarily from infections.
“Many people who have MRSA
are very, very sick people prone to infection and not all infections
are avoidable, but we are ensuring that the NHS has good hand hygiene
and clinical procedures to prevent the ones that are.
“We are now legislating to
put a hygiene code and a tougher inspection regime into law, to drive
up standards of hygiene and infection control, with ultimate sanctions
for trusts who fail to deliver.” But Patients Association chairman
Michael Summers said: “We are disappointed by these new figures. “It
is clear that MRSA and hospital infections are winning the war in many
of our wards.” He added simple hygiene measures, such as washing
hands, could have a huge impact and should be taken by everyone in
hospitals.”
Shadow Health Secretary
Andrew Lansley added: “The government is still failing to tackle the
problem, despite pledges to the contrary. “Every time a worse
statistic is released, patient confidence in the government’s policy
is undermined further.”
And Karen Jennings, head
of health at Unison, said: “It’s time to get back to basics and bring
in more cleaners to make sure that hospital wards and departments are
kept clean and infection free. “Hospital cleaners are battling against
the odds with too many wards to clean and not enough staff. “They
complain about cheap disinfectants, shoddy equipment, and a lack of
training which are all barriers to cleaner hospitals.”
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