March 6 2009

NHSG/18/09

Tackling MRSA in Aberdeen

The public in Aberdeen are being urged to learn more about MRSA and how to prevent its spread.

Infection control staff from NHS Grampian will be manning a stand at the Trinity Centre on Saturday, March 7. They will be explaining that the spread of infection can be reduced by simple measures such as hand washing.  

Shoppers will be invited to complete an electronic questionnaire on the 'opinionmeter' and there will be goodie bags containing stickers, word search puzzles, pens and mouse pads for children.

Project manager Pamela Harrison said: "Reducing the spread of infection is a top priority for NHS Grampian and we are pleased the figures for MRSA infections are continuing to fall. 

"However, there is more that can be done and so the purpose of the day is to raise awareness about two of the measures that NHS Grampian is employing to try and prevent the spread of infection - the hand hygiene campaign and the MRSA screening programme.  

"The screening programme involves testing all patients staying overnight in Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, and parts of Woodend Hospital, to see if they are carrying MRSA so that they can be offered treatment.  So far, about 25,000 patients have been screened and a recent survey has shown they generally find it a positive and reassuring experience".

MRSA stands for meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.  It is a common type of germ that has become resistant to a group of commonly used of antibiotics.  It lives on the skin and in the nose without causing any harm.  Like many germs, Staphylococcus aureus only becomes a problem to people who are vulnerable to infection, for example when it is able to enter the body through wounds of patients who have undergone surgery, but it can be treated.

Ends
 

NHS Grampian
Corporate Communications Department
Ashgrove House
Foresterhill
Aberdeen, AB25 2ZA
01224 554400

Tackling MRSA in Aberdeen