MRSA - Ireland (both parts)
- From: "Pat Gardiner" <patgardiner@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:41:40 +0100
Sorry for double posting - missed the header out frist time round.
Pat's Note: Both parts of Ireland have played a significant role in
Britain's animal health disasters (and vice versa).
In has simply amazed me how many times Ireland has popped up.
Not least, when one of their Nationals correctly attributed Britain's 2000
CSF epidemic to an inported pig; they were the only ones to do so. But is
was not very surprising, they owned most of Britain's pigs at the time.
There are also close links to Canadian pigs.
Again the only export testing station for British (and possibly for Eire
too) live exports was in Northern Ireland and had to be closed becuae of
PMWS contamination.
I have the distinct impression that the hospital problems are even worse in
Ireland than they are in Great Britain. That figures.
Greymaus and Mr Duncanson really should be getting on the case. They have
the archives here to go back over, and I would always be willing to assist.
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/health/article3566200.ece
The truth about Ulster superbug deaths
Widow wins 'cause of death' battle
Patients still at risk from MRSA despite £57m 'deep clean'
Over 450 patients linked to hidden killers
Monday, March 31, 2008
The deaths of more than 450 patients in Northern Ireland hospitals since
2001 have been linked to superbugs, the Telegraph can reveal today.
Figures obtained by the Telegraph reveal the full extent of the superbug
crisis facing our health service.
Earlier this year Health Minister Michael McGimpsey revealed a
multi-million
plan aimed at reducing the spread of Healthcare Associated Infections
(HCAI)
such as MRSA and Clostridium Difficile.
These infections have contributed to the deaths of 459 people in Northern
Ireland in the last six years, according to the statistics from the General
Registrar Office.
Last year, CDifficile played a part in the deaths of 77 people - with 30
deaths occuring during the final three months of the year - partly down to
a
jump in fatal cases of the superbug at Antrim Area Hospital and Whiteabbey
Hospital during that period.
Almost half of the 77 deaths of patients at Ulster hospitals where
CDifficile was mentioned on the death certificate last year had been
treated
at Antrim Area Hospital and the Ulster Hospital, with 18 and 13 deaths
respectively.
And last month, there were 10 cases of CDifficile at Antrim Area Hospital
while 11 patients at the Ulster Hospital were being treated for the
superbug
just one week ago.
Statistics from the Communicable Disease Surveillance Centre show there
have
been 1,490 instances of patients infected with MRSA since 2001, with the
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust recording 666 episodes - 108 cases
last
year alone.
The five hospitals worst hit by MRSA last year were the Royal Victoria with
45 cases, Belfast City with 33, the Ulster with 32, the Mater with 21 and
Antrim Area Hospital with 20.
At the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust, 82% of the MRSA cases
last year occurred at the Ulster Hospital while MRSA cases at Antrim Area
Hospital last year contributed to just under 45% of all MRSA patient
episodes in the Northern Health and Social Care Trust.
There has also been a steady increase in the number of deaths where MRSA
was
mentioned on the certificate from 17 in 2001 to 56 in 2006.
DUP MP Iris Robinson said that tackling health care acquired infections is
a
crucial challenge facing the NHS locally.
"It is disturbing when you hear individuals saying they would prefer not to
go into hospital in case they contract an infection," she continued.
"Scrutinising the system is not helped when some trusts seem unable to
provide up-to-date statistics.
"This is a complex problem and there is no simple single solution. There
are
a number of contributory factors all of which must be addressed by DHSSPS.
A
further £9m has recently been allocated by the Department to deal with this
issue.
"It remains to be seen what impact the proposed new measures will have, but
many of them have already been tried to a greater or lesser extent with
little real evidence of improvement. The Health Minister has committed to
reducing MRSA by 10% and Clostridium Difficile by 20%.
This represents a significant challenge." A spokesman from the Department of
Health, Social Services and Public Safety said: "In January, Health
Minister
Michael McGimpsey announced an additional £9m in vestment over the next
three years in a bid to improve patient safety and, in particular, to
reduce
the spread of Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAI) such as MRSA and
Clostridium difficile across health trusts.
"The investment will fund a range of measures to reduce infections,
including a new dress policy for staff and unannounced inspections. Earlier
this month an environmental cleanliness audit showed a significant improve
ment in standards across the majority of hospitals.
"HCAIs are a major concern for the public. While they can never completely
be eradicated, Trusts are expected to take every possible step to minimise
the risk of infection to patients. The department already has a number of
policies in place to tackle HCAIs including the Changing the Culture action
plan and the ward sister's charter which aim to reduce infection and give
nurses the power to create a cleanliness culture in their wards."
The spokesman also explained that last September, the Minister also
announced new targets to reduce MRSA by 10% and CDifficile by 20%. Leaflets
for the public on hand hygiene have been distributed, staff are receiving
additional training and extra funding has been provided for the appointment
of five new infection control nurses.
Superbugs CDifficile and MRSA have been mentioned on the death certificates
of 459 patients in the past seven years.
Almost half the 77 deaths where CDifficile was mentioned on the death
certificate in 2007 had been treated at Antrim Area Hospital and the Ulster
Hospital.
There have been 1,490 cases of MRSA in Northern Ireland hospitals since
2001.
The five hospitals worst hit by MRSA last year were the Royal Victoria with
45 cases, Belfast City with 33, the Ulster with 32, the Mater with 21 and
Antrim Area Hospital with 20.
MRSA featured on the death certificate of 17 patients in 2001 to 56 in
2006.
--
Regards
Pat Gardiner
Test British pigs for MRSA now!
www.go-self-sufficient.com
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