Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 31 Mar 1999

Vol. 503 No. 1

Written Answers. - MRSA Infection.

Pádraic McCormack

Ceist:

98 Mr. McCormack asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of cases of MRSA infection in Western Health Board hospitals in the past five years; the number of cases at University College Hospital, Galway, and Merlin Park Regional Hospital, Galway; if the number of these cases in either of the two hospitals exceeds the norm nationally or internationally; if the number of cases in the two hospitals is increasing, decreasing or remaining stable; if the level is increasing; and the number of cases in each of the two hospitals over the past five years. [9371/99]

Minister for Health and Children (Mr. Cowen)

As MRSA is not a notifiable disease under the infectious disease regulations, national statistics on incidence are not available. In 1995 a survey was undertaken to ascertain the number of times MRSA was isolated in acute hospitals over a defined period of time. Hospitals from each health board area were included. Subsequently, guidelines for acute hospitals and other facilities were developed and circulated, drawing attention to such issues as the need for education and training of staff, and for infection control committees.

In order to review the situation, a repeat all-Ireland study was carried out during 1-14 February, 1999 under the direction of the Eastern Health Board, and the results of the study are currently being collated.

The information requested is as follows:

Year	UCHG	Merlin Park Regional Hospital	Roscommon County Hospital
1998	361	128	56
1997	347	102	51
1996	386	138	50
1995	408	128	67
1994	308	106	43

The figures for Mayo General Hospital are not readily available. I have sought this information from the Western Health Board and I will forward them to the Deputy as soon as it becomes available.