MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) is a type of bacterial infection that is resistant to a number of widely used antibiotics.
Bloodstream infections caused by MRSA are serious infections, which can prove deadly to patients, particularly those whose immune systems are already under strain.
A spokesperson from Weston Area Health NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, said they have cracked down on the superbug by swabbing every patient admitted to the hospital to see if they were carriers – allowing for easier identification of those at risk of MRSA.
Measures have also been put in place to reduce the risk of the superbug developing in patients or spreading to others, including blanket MRSA screenings and implementing an electronic ‘alert system’ that warns staff when patients with a previous history of MRSA are admitted to the hospital.
Helen Richardson, Director of Nursing and infection control lead at Weston Area Health Trust said: “To have gone two years MRSA free is a brilliant achievement and is the result of a huge team effort with outstanding focus on infection prevention and patient safety.
“This work has been spearheaded by the Infection Prevention and Control Team, but has been supported by all members of staff – everyone has helped in the fight against MRSA infection. This is a huge achievement and one that we are very proud of.”