Trust takes part in drug trial

University of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust was one of seven health trusts in the country to use a targeted antibiotic to treat C.diff infection.
Royal Lancaster InfirmaryRoyal Lancaster Infirmary
Royal Lancaster Infirmary

The CDI Service Evaluation Study analysed over 1,450 patient episodes of Clostridium difficile infection from seven NHS Secondary Care Trusts, including University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Foundation Trust.

The study assessed the effectiveness of current CDI treatment for patients.

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Betweeen July 2012 and July 2013, patients were given the antibiotic fidaxomicin, and the data collected was compared with other antibiotics given during the previous twelve month period.

On 177 patients treated with fidaxomicin, the number of deaths and recurrences of infection was drastically reduced. In two of the centres they saved nearly £140,00 by not having to treat patients for a recurrence of infection.

With 16,947 cases of CDI reported in the UK between April 2013 and March 2014,the potential NHS cost saving for the treatment of this potentially fatal condition is likely to be far greater. Guidance from Public Health England recommends fidaxomicin as an initial treatment option for severe cases of CDI in patients at high risk for recurrence.

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