Nurses Day! - Birmingham Children's Hospital

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Reducing Infection: Reducing Rates of Clostridium Difficile
Clostridium difficile are bacteria present naturally
in the gut of around two-thirds of children and 3%
of adults. C.difficile does not cause any problems
in healthy people. However, some antibiotics used
to treat other health conditions can interfere with
the balance of ‘good’ bacteria in the gut. When this
happens, the bacteria can multiply and produce
toxins, which cause illness such as diarrhoea and
fever. As C.difficile infections are usually caused
by antibiotics, most cases happen in a healthcare
environment. Reducing rates of C.difficile in
hospitals is a national priority.
Figure 19: C.Difficile infections 2010/11 - 2012/13
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GOAL:
no more than 1
infection during the
year
Reducing Infection: Preventing MRSA
Blood stream infections with MRSA can be very
serious for people who are unwell and can result
in additional treatment and an increased length of
stay.
Figure 20: MRSA infections 2007/08 - 2012/13
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2
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GOAL:
maintain a
zero level
of MRSA
MEASURE:
number of infections
per year
2
1
MEASURE:
number of infections
per year
0
2007/08 2008/09 2009/10 2010/11 2011/12 2012/13
How have we done?
For the second year in a row we have had no
MRSA infections at all.
0
2010/11 2011/12 2012/13
How have we done?
We had one case of C.difficile in 2012/13 and made
sure that the ward where this occurred had extra
cleaning until there was no trace of C.difficile in the
environment. We also carried out tests in other high
risk wards and found no C.difficile at all.
What are we doing to improve?
We have tried out a new sampling technique and
now carry out extra testing to identify patients who
do not have true C.difficile infection but might be
carrying the bacteria which could put other patients
at risk. Early identification and protection measures
reduce this risk.
What are we doing to improve?
Achieving this goal has been a challenge in
2012/13, particularly with some patients who are
at very high risk of MRSA bacteraemia. We will
continue to practice everything we have learned
that has ensured that we have had no MRSA
infections since 2010, and we will continue to
apply new best practice and learning from other
organisations.