Low MRSA rate at NNUH
The chief executive of the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Trust today welcomed the publication of MRSA figures that confirm its hospitals have among the very lowest rates in East Anglia.
MRSA information published by the Department of Health today gives the latest figures for MRSA for all the hospitals in the country. The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital is one of three hospitals with the lowest MRSA rates in the region.
Paul Forden, Chief Executive, said: “We are pleased to see that the extensive work we have been doing over the years , and continue to do, to limit the spread of healthcare associated infections is reflected in the fact our hospitals continue to have among the very lowest MRSA rates in East Anglia”.
April 2005 – Sept 2005
| Trust | MRSA reports | MRSA rates |
| Peterborough | 4 | 0.04 |
| James Paget | 14 | 0.16 |
| NNUH | 26 | 0.17 |
| Queen Elizabeth | 15 | 0.17 |
| Ipswich | 22 | 0.18 |
| West Suffolk | 19 | 0.19 |
| Papworth | 9 | 0.32 |
| Addenbrooke's | 57 | 0.34 |
| Hinchingbrooke | 18 | 0.35 |
Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) is a close relation of the Staphylococcus organisms that often live on people's skin. Staphylococcus carriage is not uncommon and nearly a third of the population in the UK carry it on their skin or in their nose.
MRSA is a close relation of this bacteria and is resistant to some antibiotics. Most people will be unaware they carry it but they can easily pass it on. That’s why we ask everyone visiting our hospitals to wash their hands thoroughly and to use the alcohol gels we provide.
These micro-organisms normally only cause a problem if they enter cuts or wounds. They can be a common cause of boils or minor skin infection.
Most people found to have Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) will remain well. It will not cause them to be ill and does not cause problems for healthy people.
MRSA can be a problem in hospitals where there are patients with wounds and who may have a poor ability to fight infections. MRSA can be treated by some antibiotics but not others. It is not the case that MRSA cannot be treated.
MRSA will generally only become a serious problem when it occupies open wounds, particularly in those patients whose immune systems are already under strain either through disease, or general debilitation.
For more information about MRSA visit our Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus page.