Written question asked by Tim Loughton (Conservative) on Friday, 18 March 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 5 April 2005. It was answered by Melanie Johnson (Labour) on Tuesday, 5 April 2005 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, how many cases of MRSA have been reported involving kidney patients receiving treatment through intravenous tubes in each of the last three years; what measures have been taken to prevent MRSA infections being contracted during dialysis treatment.

Answer: Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) how many cases of MRSA have been reported involving kidney patients receiving treatment through intravenous tubes in each of the last three years; [223536] (2) what measures have been taken to prevent MRSA infections being contracted during dialysis treatment. [223537] Miss Melanie Johnson: [holding answer 23 March 2005]: Figures on the incidence of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in kidney patients dialysed using central venous catheters are not available. All national health service trusts need to take steps to control MRSA and other healthcare associated infections and general guidance on infection control is set out in "Winning Ways: Working together to reduce healthcare associated infection in England". Specific advice on infection control in dialysis units has been issued by the Renal Association in "Treatment of adults and children with renal failure--standards and audit measures".

Secondary information