C.diff cases increase in healthcare settings
The infection is more likely to impact older people.
The number of patients picking up clostridium difficile (c.diff) infections in Dumfries and Galloway healthcare settings has increased by 25 percent, according to the latest figures.
C.diff is a bacterium that can cause diarrhoea, nausea, and various other symptoms, and it can spread when hygiene measures are not strictly followed.
It is significantly more common in the elderly, due to an impaired immune system, and increased exposure in healthcare settings like hospitals and nursing homes.
New figures released by NHS Dumfries and Galloway show that the number of C.diff cases in its healthcare settings this year had hit 44 by May.
For the same period the previous year, the number of cases was 35.
The issue was raised at NHS Dumfries and Galloway’s bi-monthly meeting on Monday.
Mark Cook, chairman of the health board, said: “Could I ask about the C-difficile rate?
“It’s slightly higher than we would like it to be. Is that indicative of hand washing and hygiene?
“What’s the plan for that? Because obviously that could close significant areas, couldn’t it?”
Mark Kelly, executive nurse director, said: “There are several reasons around the rate of clostridium difficile picking up.
“Certainly the teams are doing a lot of work around the hand hygiene space, and we’ve actually seen some real improvements in recent months and a stabilisation.”
He added: “Although there had been a slight increase in the numbers, the review has noted no link between the cases, which is important for healthcare-acquired infections.”
While it’s normally harmless, C-diff can proliferate when good bacteria in the gut are reduced by antibiotics, allowing it to cause health issues.
Infection can spread through from person to person, especially in healthcare settings where hygiene measures are not strictly followed.
Prevention measures include proper hand hygiene by thoroughly washing hands with soap and water, especially after using the bathroom and before eating.
In hospitals, healthcare workers must use gloves and gowns, and patients are often placed in single rooms to prevent the spread of the infection.
Meanwhile, there was positive news around the number of healthcare-acquired infections for staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB).
The same report by NHS Dumfries and Galloway confirmed that the number of cases registered by May this year had reached 26 – a reduction of two compared to the same period the previous year.