Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 715: To ask the Minister for Health the frequency and location of MRSA infections in hospitals reported for each year for the past five years to date in 2012; the steps that have been taken to reduce the occurrence of the virus; if a reduction has been achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8189/12]

Patrick Nulty (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 716: To ask the Minister for Health the frequency and location of norovirus infections in hospitals reported for each year for the past five years to date in 2012; the steps that have been taken to reduce the occurrence of the virus; if a reduction has been achieved; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8190/12]

James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 715 and 716 together.

A table showing the data on Staphylococcus aureus/MRS bloodstream infection from acute hospitals (public and private) for the past five years follows. The information is taken from a report by the Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC) which is available on their website. The Table shows that there has been a decrease of 43% in the number of MRS cases reported between 2007 and 2010.

The control of Healthcare Associated Infections (HCAIs) continues to be a policy priority for my Department and the Health Service Executive (HSE) and a number of initiatives have been taken in the last few years aimed at reducing the incidence of HCAIs. National Infection Control Action Plan was launched by the HSE in 2007, aimed at reducing HCAIs by 20%, MRS infection by 30% and antibiotic consumption by 20%. National Standards for the Prevention and Control of HCAIs were published by HIQA in May 2009 and the process of implementation by the HSE is ongoing. Hand hygiene is an important factor in the control of HCAI's. The HSE continues to encourage good hand hygiene among its staff and monitors the level of compliance with hand hygiene standards across the hospital system.

In relation to norovirus infections, data on the frequency of occurrence by hospital for the past 5 years is not available. There is no requirement to report hospital name or location of outbreaks in relation to norovirus to the HPSC. The HPSC, does however, collect the number of confirmed norovirus outbreaks in acute hospital settings, by region, each year. These are set out in the table which shows the total number of outbreaks and a geographical breakdown of the location.

In 2003, National Guidelines on the Management of Outbreaks of Norovirus Infection in Healthcare settings was produced to address the issue of hospital and other healthcare settings. In 2002 the average size of norovirus outbreaks in Irish hospitals was about 100 cases. Average hospital outbreak size fell to about 28 cases by 2006. In 2011, the average size of norovirus outbreaks in hospital has reduced again to 22, a clear indication of the improved capacity within the acute sector to rapidly control norovirus outbreaks. It should be noted that norovirus is highly transmissible and what is seen in hospitals is simply a reflection of generalised norovirus activity in the community rather than a reflection on the hygiene conditions in any particular hospital. The reason hospitals figure so prominently in norovirus data is that outbreaks are more likely to be identified and managed in hospitals than in any other setting. In addition, people ill with norovirus are more likely to present to hospital hence inflating the figures.

Health Protection Surveillance Centre (HPSC)

Confirmed norovirus outbreaks in acute hospital settings by region