MRSA infections survey

A study of more than 75,000 beds showed fewer than 5% of patients in acute hospitals in Ireland suffered potentially life threatening infections while being treated.

The average across the UK and Ireland was 7.6%.

Inspectors checked for killer diseases such as MRSA infections, pneumonia and blood poisoning in the survey.

Dr Kevin Kelleher, assistant national director of population health with the Irish Health Service Executive (HSE), said while the results were good for the country more could be done.

"These results give a detailed picture of hospital associated infection in Ireland and allow some comparison with similar institutions in the UK," he said.

Between February and May 2006, infection control officers in the UK and Ireland surveyed 75,763 beds and found 7.6% of adult patients in acute hospitals to have a healthcare-associated infection.

In Ireland the overall figure was 4.9%.

Infection levels of MRSA

Overall, 0.5% of patients surveyed had an infection where the MRSA infections were considered the causative organism.

The survey showed:

• In England 190 hospitals and 58,795 patients were checked with an infection rate of 8.2%.
• Wales had an infection rate of 6.3% from 23 hospitals and 5,825 patients.
• In Northern Ireland 15 hospitals and 3,625 patients were assessed and a 5.5% rate recorded.
• And in the Republic of Ireland the infection rate was 4.9% from 45 hospitals and 7,518 patients.

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