Protecting patients against infection
Barts and The London NHS Trust takes infection control very seriously. We have robust policies in place to reduce the risks of patients contracting infections, including MRSA, while they are in one of our hospitals.
Testing patients
We test hundreds of patients for MRSA every day. We screen patients who are most likely to be carrying MRSA as soon as they are admitted to one of our hospitals.
All eligible elective patients are screened for MRSA. More details about eligibility can be found in our infection control policy for MRSA. We also carry out random checks on all other patients to ensure they are not infected.
Diagnosing patients
A tiny proportion of patients admitted to one of the Trust’s hospitals are diagnosed with MRSA. Between April 2007 and March 2008, 53 patients were diagnosed with a MRSA bloodstream infection. This represents 0.05 per cent of the 101,296 patients admitted during this period.
Significant progress has been made in reducing the incidence of infections. We have had 31% fewer MRSA bacteraemia cases for 2008/09 year to date (to beginning of March 09) than for the same period in 2007/08. The number of cases of Clostridium difficile (C diff) cases is 38% lower for 2008/09 year to date than the previous year.
Infection rates at Barts and The London hospitals are comparable with most other specialist hospitals in London and we are implementing several measures to improve this further.
- Comparison of MRSA quarterly statistics for all major London hospitals (data to Dec 08).
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Comparison of Cdiff quarterly statistics of all major London hospitals (data to Dec 08).
Reducing infection rates
Barts and The London was one of 10 partnerships chosen to take part in the Safer Patients Initiative, an international programme run by The Health Foundation and the US-based Institute for Healthcare Improvements (IHI). The aim is to focus on improving patient safety on the wards, before, during and after surgery, and in critical care. In each setting, clinicians work on improving infection control, which will be measured through the submission of monthly data, such as MRSA rates, to the IHI. The initiative adopted will underpin the Trust's continued focus on reducing hospital acquired infections. Regular deep cleaning of all ward areas has taken place since December 2007 in line with guidance from the Department of Health.
Treating patients
Patients who are most likely to be carrying MRSA are given special anti-bacterial soap and a nasal ointment proven to kill the bacteria as soon as they are admitted to one of our hospitals. This treatment only stops if tests confirm they are not carrying the bacteria.
Safeguarding drugs
MRSA can be treated using drugs. We are extremely careful about which medicines we use to treat MRSA infections. Patients are only given medicines when absolutely necessary. This reduces the risk of new drug-resistant strains of the bacteria emerging.
Cleaning hands
Our staff take great care to clean their hands before and after patient contact to reduce the risk of transmitting bacteria. There are over 1,500 alcohol gel dispensers across our three hospitals, for use by patients, staff and visitors which can also be used.
Posters and stickers urge everyone to clean their hands immediately before and after they come into contact with patients. Patients are also urged to ask staff if they have washed their hands before their examination. Cleaning your hands with soap and water or with the medicated lotions at the end of every patient’s bed and in every hospital ward reduces the risk of infection.
Dedicated team
The Trust’s dedicated Infection Control Team, made up of a senior doctor and senior nurses, spearheads our efforts to protect patients against MRSA. Along with the Trust’s microbiology team, they are at the forefront of research to find new ways to fight MRSA. They also provide infection control support for Newham University Hospitals NHS Trust and East London & the City Mental Health Trust.
Groundbreaking research
We are involved in groundbreaking research into infection control. This is ongoing and evaluates products, environments and procedures.