The number of antibiotic resistant bugs is on the rise.
The Hanover and District Hospital is taking a number of proactive steps to reduce the rates of anti-microbial resistance in the hospital.
All patients are now screened and swabbed to determine if they are carrying one of these dangerous antibiotic resistant bugs.
Those include MRSA or Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus aureus, VRE or vancomycin-resistance enterococci and C-diff or c. difficile.
The Hanover Hospital is also undertaking a 3 month retrospective study that will examine the amount of antibiotics physicians are prescribing.
This study will provide doctors with Best Practice Guidelines aimed at reducing antibiotic usage.
Infection Control Practitioner Bev Morgan says hand hygiene is another effective way to reduce the spread of bugs.
She says staff, patients and visitors have to be vigilante and ensure they properly clean their hands.
The hospital also isolates all patients that have one of these ‘super bugs.’
Dietary changes are also on the way for patients on antibiotics.
The Hospital is going to provide more yogurt in an attempt to keep the patients ‘good’ bacteria in balance.