Yesterday I wrote a post about the environmental and human impact throwing away meals in hospitals. The ongoing issues with superbugs are also causing a huge human impact. The two key "bugs" are Clostridium difficile and MRSA.
The Clostridium family of bacteria (scientific term genus) contains some pretty nasty bacteria. Clostridium botulinum can cause serious food poisoning and the bacteria produces a toxin that causes paralysis. Most people will have heard of Botox being used for cosmetic surgery (Botulinum Toxin Type A). Clostridium difficile, or C diff. causes a severe infection of the colon, especially in people who have had the natural gut flora destroyed by treatment with antibiotics. Medical News Today reported that the number of death certificates in 2006 that mentioned C. difficile was 6,480. This was an increase of 72% on 2005 figures. This may be a genuine increase in numbers and/or better reporting of cases, but the figures are still alarming. The graph on the National Statistics website shows a huge increase from just under related 1000 deaths in 1999 to the six fold increase in 2006.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has been discussed now for several years. MRSA is an methicillin resistant variant of Staphyloccocus aureus. National Statistics data shows that the number of death certificates in 2006 that mentioned MRSA was 1,652 compared to 1,649 in 2005. 6,480. This was a four fold increase on 1999 figures (409).
The Telegraph and the Independent report that MRSA screening of patients faces further delay in 2009 and on the number of soldiers that have caught C Diff or MRSA on their treatment in hospital.
The £60 million NHS deep clean programme has also faced a lot of comment in the last week or so. The BBC reported that the targets set will not be fully met by the set date.
The issue of hospital cleanliness, adoption of preventive measures and addressing how these bugs can be effectively controlled is one that requires a collaborative approach from a range of people on an ongoing basis. It is affecting thousands of peoples lives every year and one that we have to get back under control.
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