James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to be able to tell Deputy Keating that Tallaght Hospital's rate of MRSA has fallen, from 27 cases in 2008 to seven cases in 2012. This is a provisional figure because we must be absolutely sure.

The hospital follows national MRSA guidelines and has a comprehensive programme to reduce MRSA, including screening of patients for infection. Infection control measures include hand-hygiene, appropriate use of antibiotics, surveillance and audit of infection, and staff education and research.

Given that there is such interest from Deputy Kelleher, perhaps he would like to know the Cork University Hospital rate of MRSA has fallen, from 25 cases in 2008 to 17 cases in 2012. The infection prevention control service for Cork University Hospital is based on an internationally accepted model. Measures to minimise the spread of MRSA within Cork University Hospital include adherence to hand-hygiene protocols; detection of MRSA cases and carriers and prompt isolation of patients with MRSA to prevent and control spread; prompt decolonisation protocols; strict anti-biotic control of both systemic and topical antibiotic uses; and early discharge of patients and environmental hygiene controls. Since 2010, there has been a 20% reduction in MRSA across the country.

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