 It is hoped early results will reduce post-operative contamination |
Devon and Cornwall's biggest hospital is pioneering new technology to reduce the rate and spread of MRSA. Plymouth's Derriford Hospital is one of the first to invest in a screening system, which will reduce the time for results from five days to three hours.
The new technology is said to be invaluable for people going into hospital for an operation.
It means patients with MRSA can be treated within hours, minimising the risk of spreading the infection.
Contamination concern
Until now, bacteria from swabs has been grown in the laboratory but by the time it yielded results, patients may already have undergone surgery.
Tackling MRSA, which is resistant to conventional antibiotics, is an ongoing battle for every UK hospital.
Dr Peter Jenks, the director of infection control at Derriford, said: "Using this technology we get an answer very rapidly.
"Once we know the patient has got MRSA we can then prescribe antibiotics to try to eradicate the bacteria from that patient." Margaret Allen, of the Patients' Forum, said the new screening system was a good use of health service funds.
She said: "If you can treat people before they come in for operations, you stop contamination when they're in."
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