Written question asked by Mike Penning (Conservative) on Wednesday, 3 December 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 8 December 2008. It was answered by Ann Keen (Labour) on Wednesday, 10 December 2008 on behalf of the Department of Health.

MRSA: Screening

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what advice his Department has issued on the screening of patients for MRSA prior to admission into accident and emergency departments in England.

Answer: The Department's Saving Lives guidance¹ gives general guidance on screening, referring specifically to emergency orthopaedic and trauma admissions. The guidance issued covering elective patient MRSA screening² also includes information relevant to emergency patient screening. Both guidelines have been placed in the Library.We currently require all relevant elective admissions to be screened for MRSA by April 2009, and all emergency admissions by April 2011. Further guidance will be issued as necessary."¹ Department of Health (2007). Saving Lives: Reducing infection, delivering clean and safe care. Screening for meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) colonisation.""² http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Publicationsandstatistics/Lettersand circulars/Dearcolleagueletters/DH_086687"

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 485 c163-4W; 240742
Session: 2008-09
Related items: Deposited Paper DEP2008-3038
Wednesday, 10 December 2008
Deposited papers
House of Commons
Subjects: MRSA Screening
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk