10th February, 2007.

MRSA and Family Network central council members have just returned from a trip to Holland. The purpose of the visit was to see at first hand the ‘Search and Destroy’ policy which is operated by hospitals in Holland. This system has ensured that the level of Hospital Acquired Infections in Holland bears very little resemblance to the situation in Ireland where MRSA has recently been described by an eminent physician as endemic in our hospitals.

The group was hosted by Paul Bergervoet and Nico van Riessen, who are infection control practitioners in Deventer Hospital. In addition to presentations by Paul and Nico, the group was addressed by Mr. John Aalbers, Manager Patient care, Dr. Fre Sebens, Microbiologist, Mrs. Tessa Savelkoel, Cleaning department, Mr. Hans Hutten, Manager Emergency Care and Nurse Annemiek Spliethof who works in the renal care unit of the hospital. They were given a tour of Deventer hospital, where infection control measures including isolation rooms, hand hygiene facilities and uniform provision were seen. Also included in the trip was a visit to a nursing home in Zwolle where the strategies for dealing with MRSA in such a setting were discussed. We were impressed with the professionalism of all the health care workers we met.  We were also most impressed with the coordinated striving for, and achievement of, excellence which was apparent to us.  

The visit was a revelation for MRSA and Family Network members. Much important information was gathered and this will be put into a more formal report in the near future. However, there were several striking features of the ‘Search and Destroy’ policy which bear mentioning here.

An outbreak of MRSA in Holland could consist of one person who is colonized with the bacteria on the skin and/or in the nostrils. This ‘outbreak’ will be notified to the local press and complete openness is maintained on the ongoing situation.

MRSA blood stream infections are very rare, and no one we spoke to had heard of MRSA related deaths. Clostridium difficile is also very rare.

All uniforms for hospital staff are supplied daily and laundered on site. These uniforms do not leave the hospital building.

Despite the knowledge that their system is world class, the attitude of those involved in infection control is not one of complacency. They are constantly looking down the road and preparing to deal with any contingency which may arise.

The ‘Search and Destroy’ policy extends to nursing homes and to other institutions which house patients needing care because of disability. Regular screening is carried out.

We, in MRSA and Family Network were delighted with the willingness we met in our Dutch hosts to share their knowledge with us, and their generosity with their time and their patience in dealing with our incredulous questions. We, in Ireland, pride ourselves on our welcome to strangers, but we found rivals in Deventer where we were treated as respected guests. We hope that the knowledge we have brought home with us will receive a similar welcome in the health care field in Ireland.

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