23 Aug 2011
A 30-bed hospital has stopped admitting patients because of an outbreak of Clostridium difficile.
Seven people at Lockhart Hospital in Lanark, Lanarkshire, have been infected with the superbug since June.
According to the health board responsible, NHS Lanarkshire, hygiene has been improved since the outbreak.
Dr Chris Mackintosh, associate medical director of primary care at the board, said: “Our monitoring procedures have allowed us to identify these cases early and take rapid action to reinforce our infection control systems within the hospital. This has included enhanced cleaning, hand hygiene and prescribing measures.
“We have also sought guidance from Health Protection Scotland to ensure we are taking all appropriate measures.
“Infection control is a top priority for NHS Lanarkshire and we have a wide range of initiatives in place to reduce rates of infection.”
Copyright Press Association 2011