28 September 2007

The Lancet And MRSA

Labour's plans for tackling MRSA has been criticised in an editorial in The Lancet.

The government wants to deep clean hospitals ward-by-ward over the next year and eliminate clothing such as long-sleeves and ties.

In contrast:

The Lancet said the focus should be on disinfection of high-touch surfaces ... and making sure "doctors, nurses and visitors wash their hands properly, the proven way to stop hospital acquired infections," the editorial stated.

Professor Richard James, director of the Centre for Healthcare Associated Infections at the University of Nottingham said in addition to hand washing, other useful strategies would be screening patients for MRSA on admission, regular use of hydrogen peroxide vapour generators to kill bugs in the hospital environment and educating patients and visitors on ways they can reduce risk.

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