Sharp rise in healthcare-acquired infections in Dumfries and Galloway

A sharp increase in healthcare-acquired infections in Dumfries and Galloway is being linked directly to NHS workers being overstretched during the pandemic.
The number of bloodstream infections – known as SABs (staphylococcus aureus bacteremia) – has climbed worryingly high in 2021/22, according to a new report.
The set limits for the whole year is 14 cases, yet NHS Dumfries and Galloway has reported 17 in just seven months.
At least half of the infections have been caused when under-pressure NHS staff have been using invasive devices, such as catheters, on patients.
Ross Darley, infection prevention and control manager, said during Monday’s health board meeting: “What we are concerned about and reported to the ICC (infection control committee) is that approximately 50-60 per cent of our healthcare-associated SABs sources are witin the area of invasive devices.
“We had quite a considerable discussion at the ICC around this, and the ICC were equally concerned at the data that was being presented.
“We also have to acknowledge that we’ve been in a pandemic for two years and the pressure on the staff has been excessive at times, and staffing has been a problem.
“There’s very good evidence that in healthcare environments where pressure is enhanced then hospital-acquired infection tends to go up at the same time.
“It’s a natural progression. However, I will say that the ICC requested that we do some offline work with our quality lead and acute services general manager to see if we could come up with some idea or plan in the short-medium term as to how we can manage these invasive device-related SABs.”
SAB can occur following a break on the skin, a wound, or an intravenous line being put in place.
NHS Dumfries and Galloway had an “exceedance limit” of no more than 14 cases in 2021/22, which is a rate of 1.25 cases per month.
However, in April there were four cases, in June there were five, and the remaining months up until October 2021 brought the total up to 17.
The health board’s infection prevention and control team (IPCT) commented: “Whilst the board acknowledges that its staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia rate was high, when compared with the Scottish rate, we have to date been unable to identify any interventions at board level which will impact on this rate.
“Once resources become available the primary focus will continue to be on healthcare associated bacteraemias as part of the board’s remobilisation plan.
“However, the IPCT, will continue to work in collaboration with public health colleagues, to drive any SAB improvements within the community.”
Meanwhile, 41 cases of healthcare-acquired e-coli infections have been recorded in seven months – already maxing out the exceedance limit with five months of the year to go.