Infection figures show low rates at NNUH

The medical director of the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital today welcomed new figures published today that confirm its hospitals have among the lowest rates in East Anglia.

C difficle and MRSA information published by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) today gives the latest figures for all the hospitals in the country. The Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital is one of two hospitals with the lowest C diff rates in the region.

Dr Iain Brooksby, Medical Director, said: “There is still more for all of us to do to combat infection wherever possible but we are pleased to see that the extensive work we have been doing is reflected in the fact our hospitals continue to have among the lowest infection rates in East Anglia”.

C Diff rate per 1,000 bed days Jan to Dec 2006

MRSA bacteraemia rate per 10,000 bed days March 2006 to April 2007

C. difficile (C diff) is a spore forming bacterium which is present as one of the ‘normal' bacteria in the gut of up to 3% of healthy adults. It is much more common in babies – up to two thirds of infants may have C. difficile in the gut, where it rarely causes problems. People over the age of 65 years are more susceptible to contracting infection.

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.

For more information about infection control visit www.nnuh.nhs.uk/mrsa