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Hospitals in struggle to beat MRSA

Beatriz Ayala
14/ 7/2006

HEALTH chiefs have admitted they have failed to reach MRSA targets and are struggling in the battle against superbugs.

Bosses at Pennine Acute Trust, which runs hospitals in Rochdale, North Manchester, Oldham and Bury, said they exceeded the government's target in 2005/2006 of no more than 75 cases.

They also admit it will be 'a struggle' to meet this year's target of 56 cases throughout the trust, a reduction of about 20 per cent.

Between June 2005 and March, there were 13 cases in Rochdale hospitals, compared to 27 at Oldham, 42 in North Manchester and 11 in Bury.

In April and May this year there were four cases in Rochdale, nine cases in Oldham, six at North Manchester and one case in Bury.

Alcohol rubs are placed at bedsides for staff and visitors to use and the trust has promoted handwashing through a number of campaigns.

Marion Caroll, director of nursing, said: "The MRSA target remains a challenge for the trust and a number of acute trusts.

"We need to reduce MRSA by 19 cases a year so for 2006/2007 to have no more than 56 cases, we are really going to struggle."

Mrs Carroll said one of the problems was patients could bring the superbug in from the community, which would all count in the final figures.

She said: "It is something they are aware of at the Department of Health and are in discussions to see if they can separate that.

"We are working very closely with the community colleagues, especially with residential homes and care homes, to see how they can reduce that."

Mrs Carrroll said an action plan was in place and the trust was involved in a number of bug-busting campaigns to reinforce the handwashing message.

She said: "This target has been seen as the sole responsibility of the infection control team but it isn't. We are not meeting the target but are making inroads by signing up to a number of campaigns

"We are trying to get the message out in the community."