Hospital superbug cases on the rise

By [bbanks]

A virulent strain of C-diff has swept through Lincolnshire's hospitals.

Latest figures published by United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust reveal there were 56 instances of C-diff on sites in Lincoln, Boston, Louth and Grantham from April to June.

This is 14 more than the Government target for the first quarter of the 2009/10 financial year.

All 56 patients developed symptoms of the superbug, mainly diarrhoea, 72 hours after being in hospital meaning that they contracted the infection on site.

Chief nurse at ULHT, Sylvia Knight, said that when it comes to tackling superbugs antibiotic prescribing and cleanliness are key factors.

"There has been particularly virulent strain of C-diff appearing up and down the country which is much harder to eradicate," said Mrs Knight.

"Patients will always need antibiotics and C-diff can arise from antibiotics so will always be around.

"Antibiotic prescribing is particularly important in the management of infection and making sure we don't overly prescribe and contribute to the instance of the organism."

Mrs Knight said that while the trust was not handing out too many antibiotics, very few prescribers had recommended a 'stop date' on the medicines.

This meant that hospital patients were often taking the drugs longer than they needed to, therefore increasing the risk of infection.

She said the trust's pharmacists had been instructed to attend the wards and review prescription charts to ensure 'stop dates' had been implemented.

Mrs Knight said that while she was satisfied by the results of an internal audit that deemed the hospitals to be clean, better handwashing facilities were needed in some areas.

Unlike the MRSA infection which can be eradicated by using the alcohol hand gel dispensed in hospitals, C-diff only responds to soap and water.

"Some of our taps and sinks are in need of repair and updating," said Mrs Knight.

For more on the bugs, see Saturday's Echo.