C Diff Cases Decrease

The number of C.diff infections acquired by hospital patients is falling.

Between January and March, the number of cases identified in people aged 15 to 64 dropped to 91, while 270 cases were recorded amongst the over 65s.

Cases of MRSA are also falling among all age groups.

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.”