Hospital commended despite superbug risk

Still on the subject of hospitals, as mentioned below, here is the full article on St Mary's, our local hospital here in north London, produced for the Wood & Vale. St Mary's is based down in Paddington.

There's an interesting little tale as to how the story came about. It originated from a press release on the part of St Mary's NHS trust concerning their positive results in the annual health check. A little digging, however, led to a far more interesting story. It raised certain issues regarding which angle to take. One that attacked the hospital for it's MRSA failure, or one which commended it for the health check results.

So, I decided, the contrast between these two angles became the story. At the time of researching and writing, I was fully under the impression that I had a second front page story on my hands. As it was, however, the subs had other ideas. And therein lies a valuable lesson between what I personally consider the big story, and what the editors, who have been doing the job for years and know the paper and their audience, consider the big story. The two opinions are by no means the same.

All part of the learning curve I guess. So, by way of illustrating this point, here is the original story as submitted, along with pics, and below this, is the abridged version, which appeared not on page 1, but on page 13 of the Wood & Vale, Oct 26th, 2007.

HOSPITAL COMMENDED DESPITE SUPERBUG RISK

St Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, has achieved good results in the health care commissions annual health check; despite the failure of the hospital to hit targets designed to reduce super bug infection rates.

The report, released last Thursday, rated St Mary’s NHS Trust, which has since merged to form the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, “Good” for financial management, an improvement on the Trust’s rating of “Fair” last year. The trust also received a “Good” rating, for the second year running, for the quality of its services.

“Quality of Services” covers a range of areas including some related to MRSA infection, including cleanliness, and safety of patients.

MRSA rates at St Mary’s were 45 for 2006/07, down from 67 in 2005/06, though this figure is still above that set by the hospitals local delivery plan.

Figures obtained from the Healthcare Commission reveal that, back in June the St Mary’s NHS Trust was asked to make a declaration, stating whether it complied with three separate core standards relating to the control of super bug infections such as MRSA.

The first of the core standards is defined as: “Ensuring that the risk of infection to patients is reduced, with emphasis on high standards of hygiene and cleanliness.”

The Trust declared that they had “not met” the required standard.

A spokesperson for Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust said: “The infection rates were above projected figures set in the local delivery plans.

“For this reason the Trust declared ‘non-compliance’ on the healthcare standard to reduce MRSA, which forms part of the overall annual health check score.”

After the release of last years figures, Roy Oliver, Chairman of the Patient and Public involvement Forum, St Mary’s Committee, said: “MRSA has been a high concern of patients for the last two years.

“The forum is concerned that non-compliance with national standards on bed spacing, and high occupancy rates, makes it difficult to control hospital acquired infection.”

However, Mr Oliver stated he was: “Pleased that the trust is now screening patients for MRSA as part of their surgical preadmission clinic.” The forum also declared they were “pleased with the progress the hospital has made since the 2005/06 results”.

The Trust has established a “saving lives” task force to tackle issues relating to MRSA infection.

Mark de Costres, 61, contracted MRSA in 2000 at St Mary's, where he was being treated after breaking his leg. He said: “It was very scary. Very frightening. I was kept in isolation for two weeks after being diagnosed. I didn't now what was going to happen. Only my daughter was allowed in to see me.”

Anna Walker, Chief Executive of the Healthcare Commission, warned: “There is no silver bullet for healthcare associated infections. It requires action across [a range of] areas, and relentless attention to good practice for every patient, every time.

“We will not hesitate to use our powers under the Hygiene Code or through investigations to require trusts to make immediate improvements in their infection control practices if necessary.”

The Healthcare Commission has imposed a nationwide commitment to halve MRSA infection rates by March next year.

And the story as it appeared in the Wood & Vale...

Healthy St Mary's

St Mary’s Hospital has achieved good results in the Health Care Commissions annual health check, despite failure to hit targets designed to reduce superbug infection rates.

The report, released last Thursday, rated St Mary’s NHS Trust “Good” for financial management, an improvement on the Trust’s rating of “Fair” last year. It also received a “Good” rating, for the second year running, for the quality of its services.

MRSA rates at St Mary’s were 45 for 2006/07, down from 67 in 2005/06, but this figure is still above that set by the hospitals local delivery plan.