Written question asked by Lynne Jones (Labour) on Tuesday, 5 January 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 7 January 2010. It was answered by Ann Keen (Labour) on Tuesday, 12 January 2010 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Hospitals: Infectious Diseases

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what tests are available to detect (a) MRSA and (b) clostridium difficile infection; and by what means such tests are deployed in the NHS.

Answer: Diagnostic tests for the presence and illness caused by both Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus and Clostridium difficile can be divided into the following categories:"simple methods using routine culture that rely on the initial growth of the organism from a clinical specimen and may take 24 to 72 hours to produce a result;""rapid tests that may detect parts of these bacteria, such as toxins, enzymes or nucleic acids such as DNA or RNA (molecular tests) and may produce results in hours; and""combinations of these methods designed to improve performance and minimise cost."The actual choice of test or combination of tests is a decision made by each laboratory. This decision is based on experience and national guidance, for example diagnostic methods published by the Health Protection Agency.

Secondary information