C.diff cases lowest on record

2 Jul 2014 03:44 PM

The number of C.diff infections acquired by patients in hospital has fallen to its lowest level on record, new figures published today show.

Between January and March 2014, Clostridium difficile infection cases in patients aged 15-64 and over 65 fell to 91 and 270 respectively – the lowest number in these age groups since monitoring began.

Similarly, cases of MRSA and MSSA in Scottish hospitals also fell during the last quarter, bringing levels to their second lowest since records began.

Public Health Minister Michael Matheson welcomed the fall in healthcare associated infections and praised staff who have worked to improve cleanliness standards.

He said: “The fact that cases of C.diff infection, MRSA and MSSA have all fallen shows the impact of positive work across Scotland’s national health service.

“Added to this the programme of regular inspections we have put in place, which is continuing to drive up cleanliness standards.

“Since 2007, cases of C.diff in patients over 65 have fallen by 84.8 per cent and the number of MRSA cases has dropped by 87.1 per cent.

“Scotland is recognised as having some of the safest hospitals in the world and these new figures show the impact of coordinated efforts across the NHS in Scotland in relation to infection prevention and control and improving cleanliness standards. But these encouraging results should be the signal to do even more to reduce infection. That is why it is important we continue to build on, and sustain, this momentum and we will be working with boards to do exactly that.”

Notes To Editors

Staphylococcus Aureua Bacteraemia (SAB) and Clostridium Difficile Infection (CDI) statistics for January to March 2014 are published by Health Protection Scotland. Full publication is available online:http://www.hps.scot.nhs.uk/documents/ewr/pdf2014/1426.pdf

SAB annex: http://www.documents.hps.scot.nhs.uk/hai/sshaip/publications/mrsa-quarter ly-reports/sab-appendix-q1-2014.xls

CDI annex: http://www.documents.hps.scot.nhs.uk/hai/sshaip/publications/cdi/2014/201 4-q1-cdi-incidence-rates-appendix.xls

Cases of CDI in patients aged 65 and over have reduced by 84.8% (from 1775 cases in quarter Jan to Mar 2007 to 270 cases in quarter Jan to Mar 2014) the lowest number of cases in this age group since mandatory surveillance began.

Cases of MRSA have reduced by 87.1% (from 249 in quarter Jan-Mar 2007 to 32 in quarter Jan to Mar 2014).