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C diff deaths 'continue to rise' C diff deaths 'continue to rise'
(10 minutes later)
The number of deaths involving the hospital bug Clostridium difficile in England and Wales rose by 28% between 2006 and 2007, official figures show.The number of deaths involving the hospital bug Clostridium difficile in England and Wales rose by 28% between 2006 and 2007, official figures show.
The Office for National Statistics data reports C difficile was mentioned on 8,324 death certificates compared to 6,480 in the previous year.The Office for National Statistics data reports C difficile was mentioned on 8,324 death certificates compared to 6,480 in the previous year.
Experts say the increase may partly be due to better reporting of the infection.Experts say the increase may partly be due to better reporting of the infection.
However, deaths from the superbug MRSA fell slightly over the same period.However, deaths from the superbug MRSA fell slightly over the same period.
It went down from 1,652 in 2006 to 1,593 in 2007 - the first time the number of MRSA-related deaths has fallen since the ONS began keeping records in 1993.It went down from 1,652 in 2006 to 1,593 in 2007 - the first time the number of MRSA-related deaths has fallen since the ONS began keeping records in 1993.
ReportingReporting
In 2005 - when there were just 3,757 mentions of C difficile on death certificates - the government called for more accurate reporting of MRSA and C difficile on death certificates. The government called for more accurate reporting of MRSA and C difficile on death certificates in 2005.
The following year - 2006-07, the number of cases where C difficile was mentioned as a factor in a death soared by 72%.The following year - 2006-07, the number of cases where C difficile was mentioned as a factor in a death soared by 72%.
The latest figures show that the proportion of deaths where it is cited as the underlying cause of death remained similar - at around 55%. The infection is the underlying cause of death in around half of cases.
The government wants to cut deaths linked to C difficile by a third by 2010-11.The government wants to cut deaths linked to C difficile by a third by 2010-11.
There has been a fall in the number of actual cases of C difficile. There has been a fall in the number of actual cases.
In the over-65s - the main age group affected - the number fell by 9% between 2006 and 2007 to 50,392.In the over-65s - the main age group affected - the number fell by 9% between 2006 and 2007 to 50,392.