Author: Spigelman, M.

Source: Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England, Volume 87, Number 6, November 2005 , pp. 452-453(2)

Publisher: The Royal College of Surgeons of England

Abstract:

The recent debate over MRSA in our community is really getting to the state of the ridiculous. There is no question that this bacterium, which has been around for at least 40 years, is becoming a bigger and bigger menace in hospitals.

Prior to the election, the shadow health secretary, Andrew Lansley, claimed that hospitals are being told to push more patients through beds rather than concentrating on hygiene and this is the cause of the epidemic. He calls for a search and destroy strategy to clean up wards.

The health secretary, Dr John Reid, blames the increased use of contract cleaners under the last Tory government for the rise in the rates of infection. This is supported by the Public Sector Trades Union. They believe that it is the high input of patients that prevents MRSA and other hospital-acquired infections being tackled effectively. The answer, they feel, is strict hospital hygiene and frequent hand washing, with a higher proportion of single rooms.

Now, we are told that matrons should take charge of cleanliness in hospitals. Despite all the hand wringing and washing, the morbidity and mortality are both in an upward spiral.

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Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1308/003588405X60650

Affiliations: 1: Centre for Infectious Diseases and International Health, Windeyer Institute of Medical Sciences, University College London, London, UK

Publication date: 2005-11-01

More about this publication?

• The Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England is the official journal of the College and is published eight times a year in January, March, April, May, July, September, October and November. The main aim of the journal is to publish high quality, peer-reviewed papers that relate to all branches of surgery.
  
  The Annals also includes letters and comments, a regular technical section, NICE news, controversial topics, CORESS feedback, book reviews and the best trainee presentations from England and Wales. The editorial board is composed of members of the College Council and experts from across the surgical specialties.
  
  Archive issues of the Annals of The Royal College of Surgeons of England are available via the PubMed Central database
  
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