MRSA deaths double under Labour- latest statistics report
The number of deaths linked to the hospital superbug MRSA has risen by nearly a quarter, in only 2 years. The Office for National Statistics data revealed that between 2003 and 2004 the mentions of MRSA, on death certificates increased by 22% to 1,168. Since Labour came to power in 1997 the number of deaths has more than doubled.
The number of death certificates mentioning Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) infection increased each year from 1993 to 2004 in England and Wales. An increase in the number of death certificates specifying MRSA accounted for all of this increase in deaths.
Age-standardised rates for deaths involving S. aureus and MRSA were highest in males. The rates for both males and females increased over the period 1993 to 2004. The age-standardised rate for deaths involving MRSA in males increased from 16.3 per million population in 2003 to 20.2 in 2004. In females the rate for deaths involving MRSA increased from 8.5 to 9.0 per million population over the same period.
Most of the deaths involving S. aureus or MRSA were in the older age groups. Mortality rates in 2004 for deaths involving MRSA - in the 85 and over age group - were 546.3 and 258.0 deaths per million population for males and females respectively. In the under 45 age group there were 0.8 and 0.4 deaths per million population for males and females respectively.
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=1067
Patients Association chairman Michael Summers said: "We are disappointed by these new figures. It is clear that MRSA and hospital infections are winning the war in many of our wards."
He added simple hygiene measures, such as washing hands, could have a huge impact and should be taken by everyone in hospitals."
And Tony Field, chairman of MRSA Support patient group, said the problem was that the NHS was focussed on controlling the superbug rather than preventing it.
Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley added: "The government is still failing to tackle the problem, despite pledges to the contrary. Every time a worse statistic is released, patient confidence in the government's policy is undermined further."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4742770.stm
The number of death certificates mentioning Staphylococcus aureus (S.aureus) infection increased each year from 1993 to 2004 in England and Wales. An increase in the number of death certificates specifying MRSA accounted for all of this increase in deaths.
Age-standardised rates for deaths involving S. aureus and MRSA were highest in males. The rates for both males and females increased over the period 1993 to 2004. The age-standardised rate for deaths involving MRSA in males increased from 16.3 per million population in 2003 to 20.2 in 2004. In females the rate for deaths involving MRSA increased from 8.5 to 9.0 per million population over the same period.Most of the deaths involving S. aureus or MRSA were in the older age groups. Mortality rates in 2004 for deaths involving MRSA - in the 85 and over age group - were 546.3 and 258.0 deaths per million population for males and females respectively. In the under 45 age group there were 0.8 and 0.4 deaths per million population for males and females respectively.
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/cci/nugget.asp?id=1067
Patients Association chairman Michael Summers said: "We are disappointed by these new figures. It is clear that MRSA and hospital infections are winning the war in many of our wards."
He added simple hygiene measures, such as washing hands, could have a huge impact and should be taken by everyone in hospitals."
And Tony Field, chairman of MRSA Support patient group, said the problem was that the NHS was focussed on controlling the superbug rather than preventing it.
Shadow Health Secretary Andrew Lansley added: "The government is still failing to tackle the problem, despite pledges to the contrary. Every time a worse statistic is released, patient confidence in the government's policy is undermined further."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4742770.stm
posted by Dr Search- Principal Consultant at the Search Clinic at
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