MRSA group challenges government figures
Government figures for the number of deaths per year attributable to hospital-acquired infections are out of date and underestimate the scale of the problem, says a methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus patient support group.
Tony Field, chairman of MRSA Support, told The Journal that the figure
of 5,000 deaths per year, stated in the National
Audit Office report,
is based on data from a decade ago. MRSA Support has analysed official
statistics and says that a figure of 20,000 deaths per year is more accurate,
with about half of these being caused directly by MRSA infection.
Mr Field commented: “The Government is still not tackling the real
issue, which is employing more cleaning and domestic staff in hospitals”.
Also this week, conferences were held to brief NHS directors of infection
prevention and control on their new roles in tackling hospital-acquired
infections. The directors’ responsibilities will include challenging
prescribing decisions and hygiene practice. The posts were announced
last year as part of the Government’s plan for tackling MRSA.
Matron’s charter An action plan for improving cleanliness
in hospitals
called “A matron’s charter” was launched this week by the Department
of Health, which describes the document as a “no-nonsense guide” for
hospital staff. It says that matrons should take the lead in setting standards
and describes the demands that matrons should make of ward staff to ensure
a culture of cleanliness.
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