SNP government action against infection paying off for patients
Christina McKelvie MSP has commended NHS Lanarkshire on the significant progress it has made in reducing rates of infection in hospitals.
The most recent reports on healthcare acquired infections (HAIs) from Health Protection Scotland show that there have been major falls in the national infection rates since the SNP came to power in May 2007, with rates of C.difficile falling by 44% and rates of MRSA down by 26% across Scotland.
NHS Lanarkshire was singled out as one of the health boards in which HAI rates have “decreased significantly.” MRSA rates in the county’s hospitals are now considerably lower than they were when the SNP government came to power and C. diff infections have fallen steadily over the past five quarters.
SNP MSP for Central Scotland Ms McKelvie has welcomed the news, saying it is good news for patients in Lanarkshire.
“The Scottish Government’s determination to drive down hospital infection rates is reaping rewards across Scotland, but I am particularly pleased to see the significant progress that has been made by NHS Lanarkshire.
“The efforts of NHS Lanarkshire staff to keep hospitals infection free and ensure the best treatment for patients must be commended.
“There will always be more to do to keep infection at bay but together we have made great strides forward. I look forward to seeing infections in Lanarkshire falling even further in the months ahead.”
Notes:
1. The Quarterly report on the Surveillance of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in Scotland, April 2009-June 2009 notes that: “Comparison of the yearly rates for the periods July 2007-June 2008 and July 2008-June 2009 shows that rates have decreased significantly in NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, NHS Fife, NHS Highland, NHS Lanarkshire, NHS Lothian and NHS Shetland”
2. The rate of MRSA infection in NHS Lanarkshire in the quarter following the SNP’s election to government (Jul-Sep 07) was 0.216 per acute occupied bed day (AOBD). In the quarter Apr-Jun 09, this had fallen to 0.109 per AOBD.
3. The C.diff rate in NHS Lanarkshire has fallen steadily over the past year and is significantly lower than when the SNP came to power. The rate is now 0.64 cases per 1,000 population, compared to 1.62 per 1,000 in 2007/08.