Eight patients die from infection

A total of 54 patients were treated for C. diff at the Vale of Leven Hospital

The virulent Clostridium difficile, or C. diff, infection has killed eight patients at the Vale of Leven Hospital in Alexandria in the last six months.

An investigation into cases between December and June found that eight of the 54 patients who contracted C. diff died as a direct result.

The infection was also a contributory factor in a further eight deaths.

A review of hygiene procedures and the use of antibiotics at the hospital is now underway.

A total of 22 patients who contracted C. diff at the hospital during the period later died, although the so-called superbug was not found to have played a part in six of those deaths.

C. diff is a bacterium that causes diarrhoea and more serious intestinal conditions such as colitis.

That doesn't sound like better detection, but rather a complete failure of the health board to stay on top of virus control Ross Finne, Scottish Liberal Democrats health spokesman

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde launched an inquiry in May due to fears the infection had been passed between the Vale of Leven Hospital and the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley.

That investigation found higher than expected levels of C. diff in January, February and May.

It also established that a high number of elderly patients died during that period - particularly those who had been prescribed antibiotics.

When the review was completed on Tuesday, the health board's health protection unit immediately called an outbreak control meeting.

This agreed to review the use of antibiotics, which are known to reduce the body's natural defences against C. diff.

'Health board failure'

The Vale of Leven was also to be given improved hand washing facilities, with greater emphasis placed on hygiene protocols.

The latest techniques for treating and managing C. diff will also be introduced.

Dr Syed Ahmed, chair of the Outbreak Control Team, said: "The overall number of C. diff cases within the six-month period is higher on average than we would expect, but we are particularly concerned about the number of deaths due to this infection.

"This may not be due to any specific strain of C. diff but more to do with the type of patients treated at the Vale of Leven which has a high proportion of elderly patients who are more likely to develop symptoms of the infection.

Improved hand washing facilities are being introduced at the hospital

Dr Ahmed said confirmed C. diff cases were rising across Scotland due to better detection methods.

But this was disputed by the Scottish Liberal Democrats health spokesman, Ross Finnie.

"We need to know the truth about the cause of the increase in the level of C. diff cases that have arisen," Mr Finnie said.

"Their report stated that the health board investigation had been launched after a cluster of three cases was found in the Clyde area.

"Having then looked at all incidents of C. diff at Vale of Leven from December to June they then found that eight patients had died from C. diff. "That doesn't sound like better detection, but rather a complete failure of the health board to stay on top of virus control."

The Scottish Government has said reducing healthcare associated infections was one of its key priorities.

A spokeswoman said: "We expect all boards to have robust policies in place to help manage C. diff.

"These should include monitoring of compliance with cleaning standards and hand hygiene, environmental cleaning, appropriate infection control precautions, prudent prescribing of antibiotics, and rapid accurate diagnosis of cases."

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