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THE trust that runs Andover and Winchester hospitals has cut its MRSA rate to zero after introducing a simple prescription technique which could have dramatic effects across the NHS.

Winchester and Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust has begun prescribing the insertion of cannulae - the route for intravenous fluids - as well as implementing a scorecard system to monitor them closely afterwards for any signs of infection.

Previously patients who were likely to need IV fluids or drugs in this way were given a cannula as a routine part of their medical care.

Since November, however, cannulae have been treated as a prescribed event' - only given when absolutely necessary by specialists trained in their insertion and signed off by a doctor.

In 2007/08 the trust had had 11 MRSA bloodstream infections - four of these cases were cannula-related.

But since the introduction of the new system there have been no new cases of MRSA at all at the trust, which runs Andover War Memorial Hospital and the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester.

It is believed to be the first time a trust has introduced a combined prescription and monitoring procedure in the UK.

Dr Chris Gordon, consultant physician and divisional director for medicine at the trust, recommended the change in practice, together with medical assistants.

8:59am Friday 9th May 2008

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