Hospitals with the highest MRSA deaths and Clostridium difficile were released. The Office for National Statistics figures were released publicly and have revealed the hospitals that had the highest infections that lead to death between 2002 - 2006.

One such hospital in Bath, the Royal United, had 268 cases that lead to death. That number represents more than 3% of all fatalities at the hospital over a period of 4 years.

Approximately 230 people at George Eliot hospital in Nuneaton, Warwickshire died with with the cause stated as being related with C. Diff. This was also approximately 3% of the total deaths.

Now these numbers only represent the people that actually died. So many more were actually infected but were able to be treated. It should also be noted that MRSA may not have been the actual cause of death, just that it was mentioned on their
death certificate. So for example a man could have contracted C. Diff or MRSA and then died of a heart attack. However his certificate would have to mention that he had been infected.

Over 200 institutions are mentioned in the statistics. Approximately 1 hospice and 217 hospoitals. Also included are the location of fatalities at “communal establishments”. Over 2500 cases are cited spanning hundreds of locations, not all related to MRSA.

Three other hospitals that were listed are:
Walsgrave hospital in Coventry recorded 233 deaths
Leicester Royal Infirmary recorded 203
Kettering general hospital 200 deaths

all related to the “superbug“. The highest number of directly related deaths was 94 which occured at Derriford Hospital in Plymouth. Second highest was Queen Alexandra hospital which is in Portsmouth, the number was 81. Third is Maelor in Wrexham - 79, Musgrove Park in Taunton - 77. Finally the Royal Sussex County Hospital located in Brighton with 75.

It appears that older people are at higher risk than other age groups, and there is rising concern for the sake of elderly folk at hospitals. “Any rise in hospital acquired infections will affect older people more heavily” one spokesman for “Help the Aged” was quoted.