Clean Hospital?
The Edinburgh Royal Infirmary's maternity provision seems to be a target for the Edinburgh Evening News this week. In Week 35: Getting more real I posted a comment about the story they published regarding transfers. Today's topic is MRSA and the neo-natal unit's record for last year.
So what is their angle?
First off they say there have been three outbreaks. But they don't say over what time period. Is that in 2005, or since the place opened?
It came to light after four cases emerged at the end of last year. So was that four cases happened late last year, or the four cases were only passed on to the powers that be at the end of last year (ie covered up in the interim)?
A further two outbreaks in April & May where five babies were found with MRSA. Is that five across the two months, or five each month?
So there's an action plan to clean up. Fantastic, then.
It's only a small story today, so it's been edited down to leave more questions than the given facts. Am I worried about MRSA? Of course I am, but no more and no less than I was twenty minutes ago before I read this.
You can read and worry about far too much in life.
Comments
As per usual the Evening News has omitted the basic facts.
The actual numbers and time periods are as follows:
"NHS Lothian said four babies were discovered to be carrying the bug on their skin at the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary unit during April and May.
It followed two previous "clusters" in the past year which did not emerge until yesterday.
Between November and December, four cases of MRSA were reported at the unit, which opened in October 2003 as part of £184 million new hospital and provides care for babies born prematurely.
Two were infections that had spread into the body, while the other two were colonisations - meaning the bacteria was present on the skin but not in the body.
There were then no further cases found until March, when one infection and four colonisations were reported.
Dr Alison McCallum, director of public health at NHS Lothian, said these clusters were dealt with by the unit, which admits around 700 babies a year, and the problem appeared to be over. But the third cluster prompted a detailed plan to address infection control issues."
From a purely selfish perspective - it's the special care baby unit for premature babies. And as I'm now 35 weeks - Ripley and I shouldn't have to go anywhere near the place!!
[edit: Lee]
URL Deborah posted: http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/index.cfm?id=1083312006
Posted by: Deb | July 27, 2006 9:55 AM
Yep, that is typical of the Evening News. Which is funny, as it's part of the Scotsman group.
Dumbing down at its best?
Posted by: Lee ? | July 27, 2006 9:56 AM