'Sub-standard cleaning' link to hospital superbug rise

The Royal Liverpool Hospital has missed its targets on C.diff infections for eight consecutive months

Sub-standard cleaning in hospitals may be linked to rising cases of the bacterial infection C. difficile in patients, health bosses have said.

The Royal Liverpool Hospital has a set target of less than four C.diff infections per month - but recorded 16 in July alone.

The hospital also failed to hit that target for eight consecutive months.

C.diff affects the intestines and can cause serious complications in immune-compromised patients.

The issue came to light at a report to the board of directors at Liverpool University Hospitals Foundation Trust (LUHFT), which runs the Royal alongside Aintree and Broadgreen hospitals in the city.

July's total was the highest number of cases recorded since staff and patients moved into the new Royal hospital building in September 2022.

Cleaning standards link

Across the trust as a whole, 25 cases were recorded that month, including nine at Aintree Hospital.

The BBC understands the NHS no longer routinely monitors the numbers of patient deaths potentially linked to C.diff.

The report, prepared ahead of a LUHFT board meeting on 29 August, said: "Whilst it may be due to several factors, a link to the non-compliance with cleaning standards could not be ruled out."

It added that an "improvement plan was in place" to "immediately rectify the issues on wards where the standards fell below expectations".

A spokesperson for the trust said patients diagnosed with a C.diff infection are immediately isolated and treated to reduce the risk of it spreading.

He said: "We’re monitoring the situation closely and we’ve implemented enhanced cleaning regimes in those areas affected, alongside greater education on hand hygiene for staff, patients and families.

"Various factors that may have led to this recent rise in cases in parts of the hospital, are being examined.”