Nicola Sturgeon has instigated the setting up of a website for the public to view the infection rates for clostridium difficile and MRSA the Herald reports today. It will also declare the results of hand washing inspections in each health board area and link to data showing a breakdown of how many patients have died from the two bugs in different regions.The portal will be part of the Scottish government's website and launched next month.
This is an innovative step in the progress to destroy the presence of these bugs in our hospitals. Although c.difficile will never be completely erradicated, it can be far better controlled than it has been in the past years. It is not a 'new' bug, c.difficile has been around a long time. Progress in clinical methods has led to better identification but also a drop in basic cleaning and hygiene has caused an increase in recent years.
The website, it is hoped, may encourage hospitals to improve their hygiene and cleaning methods as they will be aware they are now under public scrutiny at the click of a mouse.
Personally I welcome this with open arms. I survived c.difficile which I 'caught' on a day visit to my local hospital. A combination of dirty toilets, floors and the issuing of completely unnecessary antibiotics caused my illness. This bug leaves even the most healthy person with lifelong health problems and I applaud Nicola's efforts at making the statistics transparent for all.
Note: The problem isn't only the responsibility of the NHS. Visitors to hospitals should wash their hands both on arrival and departure. The gels are not effective against c.diff, washing with hot water and soap is the proven barrier.
Posts
6 comments:
off to the hosp in a mo wife having long awaited op. will wash hands always do
Niko, hope it all goes well. Tell your wife to keep washing her hands too.
If it's long awaited then she'll be glad when it's all over.
Wifey has a chest infection so op off for two weeks on anesthetist advice. Back to nursing her again this time she has got to do as she is told..No shopping trips no visits and visiting gossiping mates.
we will both be glad when it is over and we get life back to normal..i wish
ps
here is a Blog you might like .
http://burningourmoney.blogspot.com/
Now niko, be kind to the patient. You know the style, cups of tea, cooking, allowing her to watch whatever she likes on tv, chocolates if she likes them. Tell her she looks better every day, that's important (even if it's a white lie).
I'm quite sure you'll be the perfect nurse. Men seem to be better at nursing as long as they have written instructions. That's how it works here.
Thanks for that link, I've looked at it before but think I'll put in on the blog.
Let me know how things go. You should be there now anyway doing your evening visit.
subrosa
"evening visit"
she is at home with me nursing her the 'Butler' things you do for love.
Glad all's well niko. I didn't think unionists did anything for love - I thought it was just for money :-)
There's always one ...
Post a Comment