Infection rates for superbugs Clostridium Difficile and MRSA have tumbled at West Mid in the first half of this year, according to a new report from the Department of Health.
The latest figures, released last week, showed the number of C. Diff infections in patients aged over 65 has almost halved for the period from January to June, to a total of 71 cases, compared to 135 cases over the same period in 2007.
The number of MRSA bacteraemia infections also fell by almost 40 per cent for the January 2008 and June 2008 period, to a total of 10 cases, compared to 16 cases in the same period in 2007.
Director of infection control Dr May Kyi said: "This is a great result and compliments all the hard work staff and visitors have been doing towards combating Healthcare Associated Infections. We will continue with this hard work and promoting infection control across the Trust."
Over the last year the infection control team has expanded and the hospital has put in place many measures to help limit infections, including the introduction of anti-bacterial uniforms for all junior doctors, a strict 'bare below the elbow' dress code policy and hand hygiene stations placed at the entrances to all wards and clinics.
Wards and the Accident and Emergency department have large floor stickers at their entrances, reminding staff and visitors to clean their hands and new projectors installed in the main atrium last week, display the same messages across the floor and walls.
