Superbug screening plan for patients
The Scottish Executive is prepared to fund the screening of patients for superbugs before they receive hospital treatment.
Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon today promises she will introduce testing for MRSA, assuming experts back the approach as expected this autumn.
In what could prove to be a landmark announcement, Ms Sturgeon said if specialists give the go-ahead, she is "determined" to find the money to finance a screening programme.
Her announcement comes a week after a groundbreaking study found almost one in 10 patients picks up an infection in Scotland's major hospitals after they arrive.
It confirmed one of the biggest problems on the wards is MRSA, a drug-resistant bacterium carried on the skin that can prove fatal when it gets inside the body.
An investigation of whether patients admitted to Scottish hospitals could be screened for the superbug is already under way and a final report is expected around September.
The consultation document recommends swab-testing all patients and isolating those carrying the bug in single rooms to stop the bacterium spreading.
The proposal raises many questions about how hospitals would create and staff the isolation wards and the bill for implementing the strategy would run to tens of millions of pounds.
However, last week's report calculated the cost of healthcare associated infections (HAIs) to Scotland's major hospitals is £183m a year.
Writing in The Herald today, Ms Sturgeon says: "It will take time to make a real difference, but the report left me in no doubt about the need to step up our efforts. It is imperative that we continue to drive up cleaning standards in our hospitals. And, if the experts give the go-ahead, I am determined that we will fund an MRSA screening programme."
Leading microbiologist Professor Hugh Pennington has long supported patient screening backed by the isolation of those with positive results.
Last night, he said: "We have not really had any systematic approach to this problem in Scotland. It has been done piecemeal basically reacting to outbreaks, some hospitals being keener than others Having a universal screening policy could drive standards up in a positive way everywhere."
The Golden Jubilee National Hospital in Clydebank screens patients for MRSA on admission. It has not had a case of MRSA infection for the past two years.
Derek Butler, chairman of charity MRSA Action UK which is laying wreaths at Westminster Abbey today as part of its awareness campaign, said: "If Scotland is going down the screening route we applaud the Scottish government and the Scottish health system for doing what is the natural thing."
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Posted by: subrosa on 11:50pm Wed 18 Jul 07
Great news. Hope she also looks into similar for the c.diff superbug.
Great news. Hope she also looks into similar for the c.diff superbug.
Posted by: Jason4queen, Ayrshire on 12:47am Thu 19 Jul 07
As was mentioned on yesterdays story concerning "The Vale of Leven". Nicola Sturgeon said she could not Magic everything for everybody. My fear is that something will have to give.
As was mentioned on yesterdays story concerning "The Vale of Leven". Nicola Sturgeon said she could not Magic everything for everybody. My fear is that something will have to give.
Posted by: donald, glasgow on 7:00am Thu 19 Jul 07
[quote]Posted by: Jason4queen, Ayrshire on 12:47am today
As was mentioned on yesterdays story concerning "The Vale of Leven". Nicola Sturgeon said she could not Magic everything for everybody. My fear is that something will have to give.
As was mentioned on yesterdays story concerning "The Vale of Leven". Nicola Sturgeon said she could not Magic everything for everybody. My fear is that something will have to give.[/quote]
Like it did under Labour.
Posted by: Jason4queen, Ayrshire on 12:47am today
As was mentioned on yesterdays story concerning "The Vale of Leven". Nicola Sturgeon said she could not Magic everything for everybody. My fear is that something will have to give.
As was mentioned on yesterdays story concerning "The Vale of Leven". Nicola Sturgeon said she could not Magic everything for everybody. My fear is that something will have to give.
Like it did under Labour.
Posted by: R MacLeod, London on 7:17am Thu 19 Jul 07
[quote][bold]Jason4queen[/bold] wrote:
As was mentioned on yesterdays story concerning "The Vale of Leven". Nicola Sturgeon said she could not Magic everything for everybody. My fear is that something will have to give.[/quote] Can you Unionists never ,ever give any credit???
Are you just so used to second rate government by second rate politicians doing what London tells them that you cannot embrace a Scottish government at last reacting and reviving Scotland.
A government that in its infancy has already achieved more in 3 months than 8 years of the previous lot of Uncle Toms
Jason4queen wrote:
As was mentioned on yesterdays story concerning "The Vale of Leven". Nicola Sturgeon said she could not Magic everything for everybody. My fear is that something will have to give.
Can you Unionists never ,ever give any credit???
Are you just so used to second rate government by second rate politicians doing what London tells them that you cannot embrace a Scottish government at last reacting and reviving Scotland.
A government that in its infancy has already achieved more in 3 months than 8 years of the previous lot of Uncle Toms
Posted by: David Crawford, Donegal on 9:08am Thu 19 Jul 07
Let's put party politics aside for once and give credit to Miss Sturgeon for at least acknowledging that the problem exists and merits special attention. If hospital-acquired infections are to be eradicated then fundamental changes in the work practices of NHS workers will be required as well as dramatic changes as to how patients and "visitors" access the service. If the experience of hospitals in the Netherlands is any example, it will also initially prove expensive, it is however the only solution.
Let's put party politics aside for once and give credit to Miss Sturgeon for at least acknowledging that the problem exists and merits special attention. If hospital-acquired infections are to be eradicated then fundamental changes in the work practices of NHS workers will be required as well as dramatic changes as to how patients and "visitors" access the service. If the experience of hospitals in the Netherlands is any example, it will also initially prove expensive, it is however the only solution.
Posted by: Iain, Glasgow on 11:22am Thu 19 Jul 07
[quote][bold]Jason4queen[/bold] wrote:
As was mentioned on yesterdays story concerning "The Vale of Leven". Nicola Sturgeon said she could not Magic everything for everybody. My fear is that something will have to give.[/quote] Perhaps the cost of dealing with MRSA infection. In the long run this may actually save the NHS money as was made apparent in the article. Finally some long-term thinking from politicians and not just short term spin. Well done Nicola and as for Andy Kerr, well he''ll just have to eat it won't he!
Jason4queen wrote:
As was mentioned on yesterdays story concerning "The Vale of Leven". Nicola Sturgeon said she could not Magic everything for everybody. My fear is that something will have to give.
Perhaps the cost of dealing with MRSA infection. In the long run this may actually save the NHS money as was made apparent in the article. Finally some long-term thinking from politicians and not just short term spin. Well done Nicola and as for Andy Kerr, well he''ll just have to eat it won't he!
Posted by: DRIVEN on 11:59am Thu 19 Jul 07
Sorry but I'm not impressed, I stood and watched my elderly parent being 'screened' for MRSA prior to surgery. A surgery they came through with Flying colours only to fall in hospital cut her lip and contract C.Diff. , if your going to screen....it HAS to be for both!. Get rid of the pen-pushers, with the inflated salaries and put the money directly into whats needed. Which lets face it is'n a massive media campaign showing us how to wash our hands. It's cleaning at the source of the infections... from the hospital floor...all the way up the walls....not missing out the windows....they were/are disgusting in a surgical ward, shouldnt be allowed in any ward though, isnt it windows and doors in particular these bugs can be found? too busy getting ready to go visit my mother in hospital to check my source of that tidbit. We need to keep scrubbing and cleaning till this is under control, it's going to take years but we dont need money spent on more enquiries, or newly appointed positions....no doubt someone will be appointed MANAGER FOR THE ERADICATION OF MRSA, C.Diff & ANY/ALL OTHER NASTIES ....at a salary that could be best spent in that eradication themselves. Instead of chucking bricks to say who is to blame, isnt it time we built the bricks into a wall of prevention.
Sorry but I'm not impressed, I stood and watched my elderly parent being 'screened' for MRSA prior to surgery. A surgery they came through with Flying colours only to fall in hospital cut her lip and contract C.Diff. , if your going to screen....it HAS to be for both!. Get rid of the pen-pushers, with the inflated salaries and put the money directly into whats needed. Which lets face it is'n a massive media campaign showing us how to wash our hands. It's cleaning at the source of the infections... from the hospital floor...all the way up the walls....not missing out the windows....they were/are disgusting in a surgical ward, shouldnt be allowed in any ward though, isnt it windows and doors in particular these bugs can be found? too busy getting ready to go visit my mother in hospital to check my source of that tidbit. We need to keep scrubbing and cleaning till this is under control, it's going to take years but we dont need money spent on more enquiries, or newly appointed positions....no doubt someone will be appointed MANAGER FOR THE ERADICATION OF MRSA, C.Diff & ANY/ALL OTHER NASTIES ....at a salary that could be best spent in that eradication themselves. Instead of chucking bricks to say who is to blame, isnt it time we built the bricks into a wall of prevention.
Posted by: stonehaven on 2:16pm Thu 19 Jul 07
At last some action!
Posted by: Rab Jones, Pollok on 3:40pm Thu 19 Jul 07
I would dive into a bath of domestos before going anywhere near our manky hospitals.
The nurses i have respect for, the doctors are arrogant tossers, and the politics of it all makes it harder for the nurses.
[bold]Pay them more before they strike!!![/bold]
I would dive into a bath of domestos before going anywhere near our manky hospitals.
The nurses i have respect for, the doctors are arrogant tossers, and the politics of it all makes it harder for the nurses.
Pay them more before they strike!!!
Posted by: Adam, Aberdeen on 4:34pm Thu 19 Jul 07
I've never previously voted in my 25+ years as a voter but I did this time and I have to say I've been impressed with Ms Sturgeon so far in that she is at least trying to deal with NHS issues for Scotland's benefit. I totally agree she should be finding the money for MRSA/Cdiff screening as a priority. Why do the SNP not look at planned relocation of 'back room' NHS staff (the so-called Special Health Boards) which are to be relocated from Edinburgh to swanky new buildings in Glasgow. About £80-90 million (!) or more reportedly set aside for this but undoubtedly much of it will end up as redundancy packages! Hopefully Ms Sturgeon remembers the Scottish Natural Heritage debacle and reconsiders! Even if new premises are needed look at all the refurbishment going on in both Glasgow and Edinburgh! Surely cheaper options are viable for office based staff! Even if half of this cash could be redirected into proper screening for these superbugs then that must be a better way of spending our taxes!!
I've never previously voted in my 25+ years as a voter but I did this time and I have to say I've been impressed with Ms Sturgeon so far in that she is at least trying to deal with NHS issues for Scotland's benefit. I totally agree she should be finding the money for MRSA/Cdiff screening as a priority. Why do the SNP not look at planned relocation of 'back room' NHS staff (the so-called Special Health Boards) which are to be relocated from Edinburgh to swanky new buildings in Glasgow. About £80-90 million (!) or more reportedly set aside for this but undoubtedly much of it will end up as redundancy packages! Hopefully Ms Sturgeon remembers the Scottish Natural Heritage debacle and reconsiders! Even if new premises are needed look at all the refurbishment going on in both Glasgow and Edinburgh! Surely cheaper options are viable for office based staff! Even if half of this cash could be redirected into proper screening for these superbugs then that must be a better way of spending our taxes!!
Posted by: concernedhusband, Aberdeenshire on 4:59pm Thu 19 Jul 07
Rab ,
Agree totally with your sentiments about nurses and their derisory pay. Whilst on the subject spare a thought for the community nurses who daily run the gauntlet of bevvied/drugged up patients and their relatives and have to administer vital care in filthy surroundings not fit to keep animals in some instances and all for the equivalent of a bus drivers pay
Rab ,
Agree totally with your sentiments about nurses and their derisory pay. Whilst on the subject spare a thought for the community nurses who daily run the gauntlet of bevvied/drugged up patients and their relatives and have to administer vital care in filthy surroundings not fit to keep animals in some instances and all for the equivalent of a bus drivers pay
Posted by: sandra, edmonton canada on 8:32pm Thu 19 Jul 07
Sad to say but Glasgow hospitals are as bad ( or worse in some cases) as third world countries. I have been back and forth over the last 5 years due to my mother being ill and have seen first hand how horrible they are. She got MRSA in the intensive care unit at the Western and when she was in Gartnavel her room was so filthy I threatened to bring the press into see it, they sure didn't like that idea and got her room steamed cleaned real quick.
Sad to say but Glasgow hospitals are as bad ( or worse in some cases) as third world countries. I have been back and forth over the last 5 years due to my mother being ill and have seen first hand how horrible they are. She got MRSA in the intensive care unit at the Western and when she was in Gartnavel her room was so filthy I threatened to bring the press into see it, they sure didn't like that idea and got her room steamed cleaned real quick.
Posted by: Bill Gibson on 8:38am Fri 20 Jul 07
Solutions exist, all it takes is for them to be applied
http://www.hubmed.or
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6517004
Solutions exist, all it takes is for them to be applied
http://www.hubmed.or
g/display.cgi?uids=1
6517004
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