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Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Scotland : Battle to fight infection

Via Herald Scotland :

" Last Tuesday, ward one at Ninewells Hospital was closed by the winter vomiting bug.

The general medical ward remained shut to new admissions for three days, after several patients were affected by the norovirus, which causes diarrhoea and vomiting.

Every year, this virus inflicts disruption and expense across the Scottish NHS. Last week was relatively quiet: in one week in January more than 25 wards across the country were closed, while more than 15 wards were closed in both December and February.

“Norovirus imposes a massive cost and a massive burden on the NHS,” says Dr Robert Masterton, newly appointed director of Scotland’s first institute of Healthcare Associated Infection (HAIs).

“One of the hidden costs is the number of staff who are off sick as a result."

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