Dust, Debris And Disease

Mar 16 2008 By Marion Scott

Exclusive Mrsa Gran Uncovers Secret Report Exposing Filthy Ward

A PATIENT has uncovered a secret document exposing filthy conditions in the ward where she caught MRSA.

The damning report uncovers a catalogue of disease risks in one of Scotland's busiest operating theatres.

Gran Elizabeth Miller caught the superbug in 2001 while being treated in Glasgow Royal Infirmary's ward 65.

The leaked minutes highlight medics' fears about dust and debris falling through missing ceiling tiles, on to sterile equipment.

Consultant cardiothoracic surgeons Alan Faichney and Ian Colquhoun and microbiologist John Hood discussed the issue at a meeting about problems at ward 65.

The report, from November 2001, states: "The Infection Control Team are very short staffed. Some hand wash basins were lacking in soap and some equipment was very dusty and dirty.

"Dust levels on the ward were high and shower areas had not been cleaned appropriately...the theatre environment is very poor.

"There are several ceiling tiles missing from just outside the single rooms and directly in front of the clinical area where sterile equipment is stored. There is a risk of dust and debris falling from the open ceiling and thereafter accumulating on the floor, furnitire and equipment.

"High levels of dust may harbour MRSA which survives well in dust.

"Dr Faichey raised concerns that Infection Control Nurses have not investigated the links with theatres more thoroughly as there have been a number of deep-seated infections.

"The cardiothoracic theatres are, in his opinion, in a poor state of repair and very dirty."

The meeting took place just over a week after gran Elizabeth, 71, of Kilsyth, was diagnosed with MRSA following a heart valve op. She is suing in a case which could open the floodgates to similar claims - costing the NHS millions.

Her lawyer Cameron Fyfe said: "These damning reports clearly show the most senior doctors and infection experts expressing grave concerns and it is clear the situation had been ongoing for some time. The NHS should make minutes such as this public as an incentive to ensure hospital managers enforce infection control policy."

An NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde spokeswoman said: "We can't comment due to ongoing legal action."

The government has pledged to spend £53million in the next three years to try to wipe out MRSA. In 2001, 830 cases were recorded in Scotland's hospitals.

Last year there were 1162 cases and MRSA contributed to 422 deaths and was recorded as the main cause in 51 others, a 30 per cent rise from 2006.

Richard Stern, of campaign group MRSA Support, said: "True figures of hospital infection may be as high as four out of every 10 patients.

"We applaud Mrs Miller because the NHS will be forced to explain in court how they have allowed this level of carnage to continue."

Source: SUNDAY EMAIL