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Infection Prevention & Control Annual Report
The Saskatoon Health Region Infection Prevention & Control Annual Report for 2010-11 is now available:
Healthcare associated infections – a report to our patients, residents and clients
Saskatoon Health Region (SHR) works hard to prevent and control the spread of healthcare associated infections. Regional leadership is provided through our Infection Prevention and Control Program. The goal of the Program is to improve patient outcomes by preventing and controlling the spread of healthcare associated infections and to promote awareness of the principles of preventing and controlling spread of infection among staff, patients/residents/clients and visitors.
Infection Prevention and Control works very closely with our Occupational Health and Safety and Public Health teams.
Of particular importance is the control of antimicrobial resistant bacteria. These bacteria cause concern because they are resistant to a large number of the antibiotics commonly used to treat infections. Tracking of Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) are common to many healthcare facilities.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus prevention and control
Staphylococcus aureus, which is often referred to as "Staph", is commonly found on the skin and in the nose of healthy people. In the general population, approximately 25-30% are colonized (carry the bacteria but do not have an infection) in their nose. Of these colonized people, 20-30% will develop an infection. These bacteria are one of the most common causes of skin infections.
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of Staph that has become resistant to many of the antibiotics usually used to treat it. Although MRSA has mainly been associated with health care facilities in the past, in the last few years, MRSA infections are becoming much more common in the community setting.
To prevent the transmission of MRSA in our facilities, the Saskatoon Health Region Infection Prevention and Control Program has specific policies for the management of all patients that are identified to be infected or colonized with MRSA.
The following figures show the rates of hospital acquired Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus over the previous five fiscal years. Rates are given per 1000 patient days.
Vancomycin Resistant Enteroccoci prevention and control
Enterococci are bacteria normally found in the lower gastrointestinal tract. Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) is a strain that has developed resistance to several antibiotics including vancomycin. In most instances people will be colonized (carry the bacteria but do not have an infection) rather than be infected. Spread of VRE can occur via direct contact or indirectly via a contaminated environment.
To prevent the transmission of VRE in our facilities, the Saskatoon Health Region Infection Prevention and Control Program has specific policies for the management of all patients that are identified to be infected or colonized with VRE. Over the last several years VRE has reappeared in Saskatchewan, causing multiple outbreaks within hospitals including those in Saskatoon. The annual rates noted below include cases identified during outbreak investigation.
The following figures show the rates of hospital acquired Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci over the previous five fiscal years. Rates are given per 1000 patient days.
Another bacteria commonly under surveillance in health care facilities is Clostridium difficile (C. difficile).
Clostridium difficile prevention and control
Clostridium difficile is often called "C. diff". Clostridium difficile was first identified in 1935. It is a bacteria which can be part of the normal bowel flora. C. difficile associated disease occurs when normal bowel bacteria is changed, often the result of antibiotic use. This allows the C. difficile to grow and produce a toxin that causes diarrhea. The infection can usually be treated with an appropriate course of antibiotics.
C. difficile can be spread on the hands of people and on environmental surfaces. Hands must be washed with soap and water after all patient contacts.The Saskatoon Health Region has specific policies and procedures in place for the management of C. difficile which includes good hand cleaning, and additional precautions to prevent the spread to others. Monthly rates of infection are monitored in order to evaluate the policies and procedures and improve care.
The following figures show the rates of hospital acquired Clostridium difficile, over the previous five fiscal years. Rates are given per 1000 patient days.
The approach to prevention and control of infections due to antimicrobial resistant bacteria and Clostridium difficile includes:
- the use of surveillance to identify patients infected or colonized with these microorganisms;
- verification that appropriate precautions are implemented;
- enhanced environment cleaning;
- staff education; and
- patient education.
Fact sheets for patients and visitors (PDF):
For general information please access the Public Health Agency of Canada website at http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca. Once at the website click on the A-Z index and search by letter (M for MRSA, etc).
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