The Pharmaceutical Journal
Vol 279 No 7462 p89
28 July 2007

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Pharmacists' role in reducing MRSA highlighted

Meticillin-resistant Staphyloccus aureus infections have fallen for the third quarter in succession, as pharmacists' role in infection control is highlighted by the Healthcare Commission.

Health Protection Agency figures published this week reveal that infections in January to March were 6.4 per cent lower than in the previous quarter. The quarterly figures for Clostridium difficile infections showed evidence of seasonal increases but were in line with results from the same period last year.

Health minister Ann Keen commented: “The hard work of NHS staff has been vital in reducing MRSA infections. We now need to redouble our efforts to tackle C difficile and continue this progress”.

Also this week the Healthcare Commission published its report on how infection control in the NHS can be improved. “Healthcare associated infection: what else can the NHS do?” describes examples of good practice observed in trusts and highlights clinical pharmacists’ involvement on ward rounds, including reviewing the use of restricted antimicrobials and liaising with consultant microbiologists.

“A number of trusts mentioned the importance of regular ward rounds, which included reviewing individual prescriptions and involved consultant microbiologists and pharmacists,” the report says. “When such ward rounds are carried out with other members of the clinical team, there is an opportunity for experienced staff to reinforce formal education, in this case in the use of antimicrobials, by discussion of real-life cases, especially where those present had been involved in the prescribing process.”

Kieran Hand, consultant pharmacist for anti-infectives at Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust, told The Journal that hospital pharmacists are uniquely placed to recognise and intercept inappropriate antimicrobial prescribing and to intervene to promote high standards in the treatment and prophylaxis of infection.

Conor Jamieson, principal pharmacist for microbiology and infectious diseases at Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, commented: “Audit of antibiotic consumption data is a traditional role for pharmacy departments, and feedback of this data to clinicians is vital for improving practice,” he said. “Clinical pharmacists can also play a vital role in educating medical and nursing staff, whether on ward rounds or in dedicated training sessions.”