HEALTH SECRETARY Nicola Sturgeon yesterday ordered NHS boards to reverse the rise of the killer bug C difficile on hospital wards and demanded a 30% cut in infections by 2011.
Last year the Healthcare Associated Infection (HAI) afflicted 6430 patients aged over 65 in Scotland, the only group in whom it is monitored.
Clostridium difficile was a factor in 597 deaths, 40% up on the previous year. It was the main cause in 220 fatalities and a contributory factor in the remaining 377.
The bacterium was responsible for the outbreak at the Vale of Leven hospital in Alexandria during the first six months of this year, when 55 patients were infected and 18 died.
Sturgeon also announced a ban on hospitals contracting out cleaning or catering work to the private sector, a demand of trade unions and nursing bodies, who have blamed sloppy contractors for poor hygiene control.
"By 2011, all NHS boards will be expected to have reduced the rate of the C difficile in their hospitals by at least 30%. That is a very tough target and the very highest standards of hospital cleanliness will be required to meet it.
"I can also tell you that on Monday morning a letter will issue from my department to all health boards advising them that from now on, there will be no further privatisation of hospital cleaning and catering services anywhere in Scotland."
http://www.sundayherald.com:80/news/heraldnews/display.var.2461514.0.0.php?act=complaint&cid=1952726
Stumble It!
coyoteman 
Eat yer hearts out.