The Department of Health and the Health Protection Agency have published the results of the first ever mandatory surveillance schemes for Clostridium difficile associated diarrhoea and glycopeptide resistant enterococci (GRE) bacteraemias. Chief nursing officer Christine Beasley said: “We added Clostridium difficile and glycopeptide resistant enterococci to the mandatory surveillance system to help the NHS establish the scale of the problem, and provide information to help improve infection control.
Bacteraemia infection data published
“We have issued guidance on dealing with outbreaks, with advice on antibiotic policies and isolating patients – this is being reviewed and Clostridium difficile will now be included in Saving lives: a delivery programme to reduce healthcare associated infections including MRSA.”
The data shows 44,488 cases of Clostridium difficile associated diarrhoea were reported in England between January and December 2004. For glycopeptide resistant enterococci, a total of 620 cases were reported for the year ending September 2004.