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| Hospital bug deaths on the rise | Hospital bug deaths on the rise |
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| The number of deaths linked to a hospital bug called Clostridium difficile has outstripped those due to MRSA, latest figures show. | The number of deaths linked to a hospital bug called Clostridium difficile has outstripped those due to MRSA, latest figures show. |
| Between 2001 and 2005 MRSA was mentioned on one in every 500 death certificates in England and Wales. For C. difficile it was one in every 250. | Between 2001 and 2005 MRSA was mentioned on one in every 500 death certificates in England and Wales. For C. difficile it was one in every 250. |
| Between 2004 and 2005 deaths involving C. difficile increased by 69%, the Office for National Statistics found. | Between 2004 and 2005 deaths involving C. difficile increased by 69%, the Office for National Statistics found. |
| At the same time MRSA on death certificates increased by 39%. | At the same time MRSA on death certificates increased by 39%. |
| It is a major challenge for the NHS and a top priority for government Health Minister Lord Hunt | |
| This does not necessarily mean the superbug was the cause of death, but it does mean it was a contributing factor. | This does not necessarily mean the superbug was the cause of death, but it does mean it was a contributing factor. |
| Most of the deaths were in the older age groups. | Most of the deaths were in the older age groups. |
| C. difficile was mentioned on 3,807 death certificates in England and Wales in 2005, compared to 1,629 mentions of MRSA. | C. difficile was mentioned on 3,807 death certificates in England and Wales in 2005, compared to 1,629 mentions of MRSA. |
| The ONS said greater awareness and high public profile of the disease may have contributed to an increase in the reporting of C. difficile on death certificates. | The ONS said greater awareness and high public profile of the disease may have contributed to an increase in the reporting of C. difficile on death certificates. |
| Health Minister Lord Hunt agreed, saying: "We are now getting a far more accurate picture of the number of deaths from C. difficile and MRSA with vastly improved recording. It is a major challenge for the NHS and a top priority for government." | |
| He said that tough hygiene targets meant the NHS was starting to see significant reductions in rates of MRSA infections. | |
| Spores | |
| C. difficile is a bacterium found in the gut of up to 3% of healthy adults and 66% of infants, where it rarely causes problems. | C. difficile is a bacterium found in the gut of up to 3% of healthy adults and 66% of infants, where it rarely causes problems. |
| However, it can cause illness when its growth goes unchecked. | However, it can cause illness when its growth goes unchecked. |
| For example, treatment with certain antibiotics can disturb the balance of "normal" bacteria in the gut, allowing C. difficile to thrive. | For example, treatment with certain antibiotics can disturb the balance of "normal" bacteria in the gut, allowing C. difficile to thrive. |
| And efforts to combat MRSA, such as alcohol handrubs, have had no impact on C. difficile. | And efforts to combat MRSA, such as alcohol handrubs, have had no impact on C. difficile. |
| C. difficile forms spores which means it can survive for long periods in the environment, such as on floors and around toilets, and spread in the air. | C. difficile forms spores which means it can survive for long periods in the environment, such as on floors and around toilets, and spread in the air. |
| Rigorous cleaning with warm water and detergent is the most effective means of removing spores from the contaminated environment and the hands of staff, say experts. | Rigorous cleaning with warm water and detergent is the most effective means of removing spores from the contaminated environment and the hands of staff, say experts. |
| Head of health at Unison, Karen Jennings, said: "These shocking figures show that MRSA and C difficile have a deadly grip on our NHS. Dirt is not cheap. | |
| "We need to wage war on these superbugs and cleaning and cleaners should be on the front line as an integral part of the infection control team. | |
| "No one wants to be treated in a dirty hospital but sadly the culture of cleaning was sold off at the same time as compulsory competitive tendering was brought in. | |
| "It's time for hospitals to set safe minimum staffing levels for their cleaning services - patients and staff deserve nothing less." |