MRSA Update

Hospital-acquired infections such as MRSA are still rising. But they only kill about 5,000 patients a year, and our rulers are full of bright ideas on what to do about it.

Let's get some experts from abroad. When in doubt - hire a consultant.

Another good managerial solution - appoint a Director Of Infection Control at each hospital. Doubtless to be followed by an Assistant Director and a project team, monitors, facilitators and co-ordinators. And some secretarial support. And a PA or two. But there may be problems. Are there enough reserved car parking spaces ? And are there enough good quality hotels for all those away days, conferences and team-building exercises ?

The Guardian reports that the patients can do the monitoring of the wards. After all, they just lie around in bed all day, except those who are still on trolleys. Or in wheelchairs.

The Guardian also reports that the cause may be full occupancy of beds or (surprise surprise) shortage of funding (after all, we know how expensive soap is these days) or staff. Apparently when bed occupancy rises above 85%, so do infections. Simple solution then - buy some more beds and leave them empty !

On the other hand hospital staff could just wash their hands and clean the f*****g wards properly.

But apparently that sort of thing takes months or years. The Kent and Sussex hospital, which will be cleaner by Christmas, was killing patients with MRSA (and apologising for it) in 1996.