How are superbugs spread?
The most common cause of infection is bad hygiene. The National Patient Safety Agency published a report that found only 40 per cent of necessary hand-hygiene procedures were being carried out in NHS hospitals. Research by the Royal College of Surgeons found that doctors’ neckties were a significant source of cross-contamination among patients. What can be done to prevent infection? Strict hygiene is the best defence. When in hospital, an MRSA campaign group urges patients to demand that staff wash their hands with anti-bacterial soap, that skin is sterilised before injections, and that cleaners sweep under beds to remove dust. Other high-risk activities are sharing newspapers with another patient and using the ward telephone. Basic hygiene rules include keeping your hands clean by washing thoroughly with soap and water; keeping cuts and sores clean and covered with a clean dressing until healed, and avoiding contact with other people’s wounds or material contaminated from wounds. Not
