MRSA reduction targets likely to be missed

A scanning electron micrograph of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, commonly referred to as MRSA.

LONDON (Reuters) - The government is unlikely to meet its target of reducing the MRSA hospital "superbug" by 50 percent by 2008, the Lancet medical journal said on Friday.

A "mops and matrons" approach to cleanliness in hospitals remains a problem even though the number of MRSA infections has fallen by 6 percent since January this year.

"Adherence to hand-cleaning practices rarely exceeds 60 percent among health-care workers," the Lancet said in an editorial.

MRSA, or methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, infections are resistant to treatment with most available antibiotics. The bacterium, commonly transmitted while patient are in the hospital, most often affects those with weak immune systems and the elderly.

Research shows that washing hands is a number one priority in the fight against MRSA, and providing more facilities for health professionals to clean their hands while on duty substantially improves the chances of beating MRSA.

The Lancet said few National Health Service (NHS) trusts in Britain provided relevant training.

"Such staff management issues need to be resolved along with other practical problems that hamper health workers' ability to prevent infections, such as the lack of single rooms in NHS hospitals to isolate and treat infected patients."

The Lancet said the Healthcare Commission's pledge to inspect 120 trusts unannounced over the coming year would go a long way in putting the necessary pressure on trusts to put infection control at the core of hospital care.