MRSA rate of 14% is highest in Europe

SURGICAL patients infected with the MRSA superbug spend on average an extra 18 days in hospital compared with patients who undergo surgery but are MRSA-free.

These prolonged hospital stays are not only a huge cost to the health service, but are putting considerable additional pressure on beds already in short supply, according to Fine Gael Seanad health spokesperson Senator Frances Fitzgerald.

Ms Fitzgerald yesterday published a study on MRSA rates in Ireland, which claims we have one of the highest rates at 14.6% in Europe, where the average rate is 3.8%.

The HSE disputed this figure, saying that a study carried out in 2006 found of more than 7,500 patients surveyed in 44 acute hospitals, the figure of MRSA infection emerged at less than 0.5%. However, preliminary figures for 2007, collated by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre, suggest a 1% increase in the number of MRSA-related bloodstream infections.

The proportion of MRSA in Ireland has been approximately 42% for the past four years, but unconfirmed figures for 2007 suggest it may have risen to 43%.

The study also calculated the rate of MRSA bloodstream infection in a number of hospitals around the country and found the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital in Cork had the highest rate at 4.4%.

However, hospital chief executive Ger O’Callaghan said the survey was “unreliable and inaccurate” because it was dependent on the process of screening carried out at each hospital — all patients entering the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital are screened, which is not the case in all hospitals.

Screening drives up detection rates.

Ms Fitzgerald’s report, carried out by the Oireachtas Research Unit on her behalf, concluded the promotion of hospital and personnel hygiene standards; improved hospital layout; the screening of staff and patients for MRSA; the isolation of patients with MRSA and the eradication of the unnecessary prescribing of antibiotics were all essential to tackle the superbug.

Ms Fitzgerald said a HSE advertising campaign placing the onus on patients to ensure that medical staff have clean hands is not the way to eliminate MRSA.

“Hand hygiene is a major factor, but it must form part of a multifaceted approach. Ireland needs a ‘search and destroy’ policy, in other words screening, followed by isolation and containment, which has proved highly successful in other countries,” said Ms Fitzgerald.

However, the HSE defended its Clean your hands — Say No to Infection campaign, arguing that the single most effective way to stop transfer of infection is for everyone who passes over the threshold of a health care facility to clean their hands regularly.

In addition, a National Infection Control Steering Group to take charge of reducing health care associated infection has been set up; additional infection control staff have been recruited; and a GP education initiative has been developed.