The prevention of hospital infections is the top clinical priority for the Trust and we are doing everything we can to prevent C.diff.

What is the hospital doing to tackle C.diff?

We are:

• ensuring staff routinely wash their hands with soap and water before and after touching every patient
• training all staff in the correct way to wash hands and to clean equipment to prevent cross-infection
• monitoring and improving cleanliness in all wards and departments
• minimising the risk of cross-infection by quickly isolating patients with suspected or proven C diff in a single room or moved to the isolation ward.

• making sure antibiotics are used correctly and prescribed only when absolutely necessary and for the shortest possible time.

What is the hospital doing to tackle MRSA?

We are:

• ensuring staff routinely wash their hands with soap and water or alcohol gel before and after touching every patient

• training all staff in the correct way to wash hands and to clean equipment to prevent cross-infection

• monitoring and improving cleanliness in all wards and departments

• minimising the risk of cross infection by quickly isolating patients with MRSA in a single room or in a separate bay

• screening patients (skin and nose swab) before admission or operation in some specialties and treating with antiseptic wash if MRSA is found

• encouraging visitors to wash hands with soap and water and to use alcohol gel (found at all bedsides and entrances to all wards), every time they enter or leave the ward.

What is MRSA screening?

MRSA screening is performed to identify patients who might be carrying MRSA. Screening principally involves swabbing the nose and sometimes taking swabs or other specimens from other parts of the body.

Once the swabs have been taken they are sent to the microbiology laboratory and the results usually available in 24-48 hrs.

This screening programme is kept under regular review.

During 2010, there is a plan to further increase MRSA screening to include all emergency adult medical and surgical admissions.