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C. difficile-linked deaths 'rise by over two-thirds'

28/02/2008

There was a 72 per cent increase in deaths linked to the infection Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) between 2005 and 2006, new figures have revealed today.

Deaths linked to the infection have been increasing since 1999 but there has been a significant jump in the last few years.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) says there were 6,480 death certificates which mentioned C. difficile, with about half of these stating the infection as the underlying cause of death.

Older people are some of the most vulnerable to C. difficile, an infection which is a concern to healthcare professionals because of the difficulty in removing the spores it produces so that they cannot spread.

Mortality rates in 2006 for C. difficile-linked deaths in the 85 and over age group were 2,795 and 2,785 per million population for males and females respectively.

This compares to 0.2 and 1.3 deaths per million population for males and females respectively in the under 45 age group.

Shadow health secretary Andrew Lansley described the figures as "shocking" and said the government had failed to ensure good hygiene in healthcare settings.

"Almost three times as many people are now killed by hospital infections as are killed on the roads each year," he said.

"The overall scale of infection is unacceptable and the need for a comprehensive infection-control strategy, including improved antibiotic prescribing and access to isolation facilities, hand hygiene and cleanliness, is paramount."