This type of antibiotic resistant ‘superbug’ is not new.
For more than a decade Great Ormond Street Hospital has actively looked for bacteria with resistance mechanisms, like NDM-1, through a policy of screening the faeces of all inpatients.
A computer system was also developed by the Microbiology department to tell ward staff which patients have not been screened, thereby increasing compliance with the process.
The inpatient faeces screening policy increases our ability to detect resistance mechanisms and we remain vigilant with all samples. This proactive approach also allows us to implement additional control where required, for example, strict isolation and environmental cleaning and screening.
On a day to day basis, application of standard infection prevention and control mechanisms are important for everyone working in a hospital, all the time.
Contact information:
For further information please contact Hayley Dodman, Great Ormond Street Hospital press office on 0207 239 3126 or email
dodmah@gosh.nhs.ukFor genuine and urgent out of hours call speak to switchboard on 020 7405 9200
