Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 November 2012
1154. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of cases of MRSA and clostridium difficile in hospitals over the last 12 months; the number of cases in 2010 and 2011; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48385/12]
View answer1157. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Health the number of cases of MRSA and Clostridium difficile in hospitals in the last 12 months; the figure for 2010 and 2011 respectively; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48393/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1154 and 1157 together.
The information available on the number of cases of MRSA and Clostridium difficile in hospitals for 2010, 2011 and the first 6 months of 2012 is as follows.
MRSA: The Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) which collates statistical information on bloodstream infections from all hospital laboratories, both public and private, reports on a quarterly basis. Provisional statistics for 2012 to end-June 2012 only are now available. MRSA statistics for 2010 and 2011 record 305 and 263 cases respectively. The figure to end June 2012 is 128 cases. The number of cases of MRSA has fallen by 55% between 2006 and 2011 (from 592 to 263 cases) and the downward trend is holding per statistical returns to date.
Clostridium Difficile: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) or C. difficile associated disease (CDAD) has been a notifiable disease in Ireland since May 2008. Prior to 2012 only new cases of CDI were notifiable. The case definition for this disease has been revised and since 1st January 2012 both new and recurrent cases are notifiable. Clostridium Difficile statistics for 2010 and 2011 record 1,693 and 1,848 cases respectively. Provisional data for the first half of 2012 using the enhanced surveillance system which records both new and recurrent cases, indicates that there have been 939 cases of C. difficile. It is difficult to comment on these figures in that some of the increase may be due to changed testing practices.
The control of Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs) and antimicrobial resistance continues to be a challenge worldwide and the Department will continue to work at all levels to support healthcare policy development and assist healthcare providers in reducing same.
