Investigation into outbreaks of Clostridium difficile at Stoke Mandeville Hospital, Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trust

The report outlines the Healthcare Commission's (HC) investigation into two serious outbreaks of Clostridium difficile at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. The HC caried out the investigation at the request of the Secretary of State for Health. The report highlights the serious failings on the part of senior managers at Buckinghamshire Hospitals NHS Trust who failed to follow advice on stopping the spread of infection from infection control staff, clinicians, nurses and the Health Protection Agency. Patient safety was therefore compromised. The recommendations include; that all hospitals should urgently review and ensure the effectiveness of their procedures for infection control in light of the investigation and the results of the national survey on Clostridium difficile infection; the Department of Health must ensure that all hospitals are consistent in their methods of testing, controlling and reporting outbreaks of hospital acquired infections and that priority is given to infection control and safety of patients.