NHS meets target to cut C. difficile infections two years ahead of schedule

Health Secretary Andy Burnham has congratulated NHS staff for their success in meeting the Government's target to reduce Clostridium. difficile (C. difficile) infections by 30 per cent two years ahead of schedule.

Annual figures on C. difficile, published by the Health Protection Agency today, show that the number of C.difficile infections has fallen by 36 per cent compared to the base level in 2007/8 when a target was set for such infections to be reduced by 30 per cent by 2010/11.

Alongside the reductions in C. difficile, today’s figures reveal further progress in cutting the number of MRSA bloodstream infections which have fallen by a further 29% since the NHS met its target to halve MRSA bloodstream infections last year.

The figures show that the risk of becoming infected with an MRSA bacteraemia or C. difficile is at its lowest for 5 years. This has been achieved by a package of measures including higher standards of clinical practice, greater cleanliness including better handwashing and an increase in matrons.

Speaking at the NHS Innovation EXPO today, Andy Burnham said:

'I am exceptionally proud of the NHS staff who have truly risen to the tough challenge we set them to substantially reduce healthcare associated infections. Because of their tireless hard work the target to reduce C. difficile infections by 30 per cent has today been met and exceeded with numbers down by 36 per cent - 2 years ahead of schedule.

'Once again, these figures show that our strategy to reduce healthcare associated infections is working and that the NHS is delivering safer, high quality care.

'One preventable infection is one too many and this remains a top priority for the Government and the NHS. That is why I have asked the National Quality Board to help develop a new minimum standard that will ensure all hospitals drive down MRSA bloodstream infections to the levels currently being achieved by the best performers - making the NHS even safer for staff and patients.'