In an effort to reduce the number of hospital-associated infections, the Canadian government is targeting superbugs MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) and
Canadian hospitals applying for accreditation will have to provide MRSA and Clostridium difficile infection rates, compelling organizations to track these organisms within their organizations.
Healthcare accreditation is largely voluntary in Canada (except for Quebec). However, 99% of acute care hospitals in Canada participate in accreditatation programs, as do many nursing homes, community health centres and home-care services.
Hospital-associated infection accounts for approximately 220,000 illnesses in Canada each year. MRSA and Clostridium difficile are two of the most problematic organisms involved in hospital-associated infections.
MRSA has been denoted a superbug because of its increased resistance to antibiotics and in some cases higher potential to cause infection, particularly in healthcare facilities where the population is generally more susceptible because of underlying disease conditions. Organisms with a greater potential to cause infection and/or increased resistance to commonly used antibiotics pose serious infection control issues for healthcare organizations.
Clostridium difficile is another superbug that gained notoriety in Quebec hospitals due to the spread of strains with a greater potential to cause infection. However, Clostridium difficile is an infection concern for many acute care hospitals, transitional care and long-term care facilities. Clostridium difficile produces a toxin that causes severe diarrhea and inflammation of the bowel (pseudomembranous colitis) that can be life-threatening. It is difficult to clear from the environment because once out of the human body, it enters a protective state (spore) that is resistant to heat, cold, chemicals and disinfectants. In older facilities, like many of the Quebec hospitals involved in recent outbreaks, C. diff is even more difficult to eliminate.
Read more about superbugs:
C. difficile Associated Disease (CDAD)
Methicillin Resistant Staph: Superbug Infections
Source:
Priest, Lisa. ‘Ottawa Targets Hospital Superbugs: Health agency acts as infection rate soars.’ Globe and Mail, Tuesday February 5, 2008.
