UK NEWS
DEATHS FROM KILLER SUPERBUG SOAR BY 72%
Electron micrograph of Clostridium difficile bacteria
Thursday February 28,2008
By Nicola McCafferty for express.co.uk
THE number of deaths from killer hospital bug Clostridium difficile has risen by a staggering 72 per cent, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) said.
Between 2005 and 2006 the number of death certificates in England and Wales that mentioned the C. diff infection rose from 3,757 to a shocking 6,480.
More than 80 per cent of the deaths were elderly people.
The dramatic rise in deaths from the deadly infection has increased in both sexes, with the number of fatalities involving the C. diff infection increasing by 77 per cent among males, and 66 per cent among females between 2005 and 2006.
To date, the rate of males who died from the disease went up from 37 to 65.5 per million, and from 38.6 to 64.2 per million in females.
If infected with the deadly C.diff disease, victims can experience symptoms that range from mild diarrhoea to a very severe form of infectious diarrhoea which can be fatal.
The more acute cases can result in ulceration and bleeding from the
colon and, at worst, perforation of the intestine leading to
peritonitis.
People most at risk are the over-65s and those who have taken strong antibiotics, which
reduce their resources of “good” bacteria.
Sadly the disease has been on the increase in the UK for several years.
The number of reports increased from fewer than 1,000 in the early 1990s to 22,000 in 2002, 28,000 in 2003 and 44,488 in 2004.
But some of the increase in deaths involving the bacteria may be due to more complete reporting on death certificates.
Among deaths with a mention of C. diff, the percentage for which it was the underlying cause has been similar - around 55 per cent - each year since 1999.
The Department of Health said steps had been taken to tackle infections since 2006 and said non-fatal cases of both MRSA and C diff have been falling.
It insisted figures were now in line with those in other developed countries.
Chief microbiologist Professor Brian Duerden said: “The chief medical officer wrote to the NHS in July 2005 to make clear that we wanted infections such as MRSA and C difficile to be reported more accurately on death certificates.
“These statistics from 2006 show that this move has worked and our figures are now in line with other developed countries.”
Professor Duerden added that the NHS has taken a number of steps to help stop C.diff spreading in hospitals, which has caused the rate of infection to fall.
He added: “Since 2006 we have taken significant steps to tackle infections.
“These include stringent hand-washing guidance for the NHS, a bare below the elbows dress code, putting matrons back in charge of cleanliness on their wards and an ongoing deep clean of every ward. Now MRSA and C difficile infections are falling.”
He continued: “We are not stopping there.
“We are investing an extra £270 million per year by 2010/11 to fight infections which will pay for more specialist staff, including antimicrobial pharmacists, and MRSA screening for all patients.”
Video 
AWFUL
29.02.08, 11:10pm
I wouldnt attend hospital even if my head was hanging off.
Sadly, if my children are ill, i cannot take any chances.
I have made it a point not to get antibiotics for my children. Thy have to fight it themselves, and use of antibiotics reserved for when necessary.
• Posted by: betty • Report Comment
HOW TO CLEAN
29.02.08, 11:00pm
There is a simple, easy and cost effective way to clean certain areas, starting with toilet areas. Of course the companies that sell cleaning chemicals and equipment won't be to pleased, there lies the problem.
• Posted by: beowulf • Report Comment
DEATHS FROM KILLER SUPERBUGS SOAR BY 72%
29.02.08, 4:05pm
It takes comments made by Lord Bancroft "whist being cared for in Bath Royal infirmary", as to the cleanliness of nurses and hospital envirionment.
The director / whatever, is wishing to discuss this matter with Lord Bancroft.
Is The Director, whom "take it from me,"
On a nice little earner, totaly unaware of conditions prevailing in her domain/ jurisdiction.
Sack Her, Or make her adame.!
• Posted by: juan01 • Report Comment
TO THE TUNE OF YMCA...
29.02.08, 2:19pm
Young man, are you feeling unwell? I said
Young man, are you feeling like hell? I said
Get down, to the hospital quick
They’ve got ways to make you more sick
Come in, tell the doc where the pain is and
Lie there, never mind what that stain is and
Look up, at the mould on the ceiling and
Trust us with your healing…
My hospital’s got the MRSA
My hospital’s got the MRSA
They can’t get the place clean
They put crap in your meal
They just do whatever they feel
Young man, I was once in your bed, I said
Young man, I was feeling half dead, I said
I saw, something hard to believe
A nurse wiped her nose on her sleeve
That’s when, doctor came up to me
He was drooling, and he smelt just like wee
I said ‘young man, you are such a disgrace’
He just laughed and coughed in my face…
©2008 Ivor Spital
• Posted by: Ivor_Spital • Report Comment
KILLER SUPERBUG UNNECESSARY DEATHS.
29.02.08, 8:40am
WHY DOES MCBROWN WANT TO KILL US OFF?
He must do or he would stop it.
These deaths are tragic and unnecessary.
Why does our unelected PM not get these filthy hospitals cleaned up so no more deaths occur through C.Diff and similar? It is only a matter of cleaning and hygiene and above all being sensible and willing.
Stopping staff going outside of the hospital in their nurses clothing to do their shopping will definitely help.
When doctors and medical staff go from bed to bed touching patients and their surroundingd they only wash or gel their hands now and again, not all the time.
When a patient leaves hospital their bed is wiped over but only cursorily and quickly.
Wards are not cleaned properly by these CONTRACT staff who are a bunch of ragtags employed for pittance on the cheap whom on many occasions cannot communicate in English.
Stale blood on the bedding and curtains.
Old rotting flowers in stagnant water.
Pills on the floors under beds and cupboards where the cleaners skimp and rush.
A dozen or more of ethnic minorities being allowed to visit at the same time, sitting on the bed in every day clothing, given special treatment while we were only allowed two visitors.
FACTS.
Old newspapers and magazines being passed around. The situation has worsened since Hattie Jacques passed away and contract staff were given the cleaning responsibility 'to save money', HA HA HA.
Now let us get to the bathrooms and toilets, FILTHY, no I will not bother just use your imagination.
Filthy mops and cleaning cloths.
These observations are based on 360 plus days experience in hospital, this I have all seen with my own eyes.
Speaking to the staff nurses is a waste of time as they do not want to be bothered as they all have their asses under their arms over their LOW PAY.
• Posted by: MadMaureen • Report Comment
WHERE'S MATRON??
29.02.08, 7:54am
Hospitals have not been 'clean' since the demise of the Matron! This well-feared ruler of the Wards kept an eye on all around here and everyone knew their role! The wards were clean, tidy and clinical spaces as they should be. Trying to make them 'user-friendly' and 'PC' has created this 'super-bug' environment!
Matron would also rule the visitors to her ward with a rod of iron and keep the numbers 2 to at a bed at any time! Not have up to 10 at a time as I have seen being allowed in other faiths to allow for prayer!
" Hello I would like more visitors please! Oh, not for Church of England? Oh that's OK I don't want to make a fuss and offend anyone!!"
Perhaps if we kept the immigrants, that land here with their weird and wonderful stomach bacteria's and poor hygiene standards etc...etc...out of the hospitals 'we' pay for, then we might stand a better chance of surviving a hospital visit long enough to see our grandchildren!!
• Posted by: sal68 • Report Comment
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