Sussex hospitals miss MRSA targets

10:30am Tuesday 20th May 2008

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Hospitals across Sussex have failed to hit tough targets to reduce the numbers of the potentially fatal superbug MRSA.

Every major hospital reported more MRSA cases than they were aiming for between April 2007 and March this year, although officials say overall numbers were still lower than the year before.

Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust reported 66 cases, well above its planned target of 43. East Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust, which covers Eastbourne District General Hospital and the Conquest in St Leonards had 53 cases, more than double its target of 24, while Worthing and Southlands NHS Trust had 26 against a target of 12.

Royal West Sussex NHS Trust, which runs St Richard's Hospital in Chichester, had 20 cases, eight more than its target of 12.

East Sussex Hospitals infection control nurse Tina Lloyd said tackling MRSA rates was one of the trust's priorities.

She said a number of new measures had been introduced including setting up a specialist team to oversee putting in lines and drips in patients, which is when they are most at risk of developing infections.

Other work includes regular monitoring of hand hygiene and putting up posters besides patients' beds to encourage them to challenge doctors and nurses if they do not clean their hands.

A new antibiotic pharmacist who specialises in the treatment of infection has also been appointed.

Ms Lloyd said: "Every case of a MRSA bacteraemia is fully investigated by clinical teams to identify the cause of the infection and areas for improvement.

"For the last two and half months we have had no cases. The 53 cases last year includes patients admitted to hospital from the community with an existing infection.

"We are working closely with the primary care trust to help reduce infections in the community and the hospital."

The number of cases at Brighton and Sussex hospitals has fallen by a third on the 106 the year before.

A spokeswoman for Worthing and Southlands said: "We continue to strive to obtain a zero return and the return of 26 cases for the year is nearly half that of the previous year's 47 cases.

"We have recently appointed a team of specialist nurses whose priority will be infection control."