CLOSTRIDIUM DIFFICILE INFECTION

90 Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (1 June 2010). What is the current rate per 1,000 for admitted patients of Clostridium Difficile infection in—

1. (a) all South Australian public hospitals;

(b) public hospitals in rural and remote Areas;

(c) the Royal Adelaide Hospital, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Flinders Medical Centre, and Lyell McEwen Hospital, respectively; and

(d) the Whyalla, Port Augusta, Port Lincoln, Berri and Mount Gambier Hospitals, respectively?

The Hon. J.D. HILL (Kaurna—Minister for Health, Minister for Mental Health and Substance Abuse, Minister for the Southern Suburbs, Minister Assisting the Premier in the Arts): I am advised:

1. The Department of Health monitors the rate of detection of Clostridium difficile disease in all public acute care hospitals and the larger country hospitals. Rates are expressed as cases detected per 1,000 patient-days, in line with national surveillance definitions.

The current rates for the hospitals named are: