Hospital patients to be screened for MRSA
EAST Sussex Hospitals NHS Trust will screen all new in-patients for MRSA from April.
The Department of Health initiative requires health trusts to implement MRSA screening of all in-patients by 2010.
MRSA is a bacteria that about 30 per cent of people carry on their skin or in their nose.
Under normal conditions this bacteria can be carried harmlessly on the human body. However, sometimes it can cause infections when the body's natural defences are breached, for example wounds or surgical procedures.
Currently, most patients admitted for a planned operation are already being screened for MRSA and provided with treatment before admission if found to have MRSA.
In future all patients admitted as an emergency will also be screened for MRSA, by taking a number of skin swabs.
If it is found, treatment will provided by the hospital. The aim is to reduce the risk of MRSA infection by reducing the amount found on the patients' skin. Deep-cleaning programmes for all wards and clinical areas will be completed by March 31.
The trust runs Eastbourne District General Hospital, Uckfield Community Hospital, the birthing unit at Crowborough and the Conquest Hospital at Hastings.
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Tuesday 07 February 2012
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