P.E.I.'s C. difficile, superbug numbers improving

P.E.I. is doing better when it comes to superbugs, but there's still more that can be done.

That's the message coming from Health PEI during World Antibiotic Awareness Week.

The rates for C.difficile and superbugs such as MRSA are down significantly, says Dr. Greg German, a medical microbiologist with Health PEI.

"The trend is suggesting that C. diff rates are going down by 30 per cent, 20 per cent in the community and 40 per cent in hospitals," said Dr. German. "Our antibiotic resistance rates are staying the same, which is a good thingbecause they tend to go down from year to year in a lot of other places."

There were 97 cases of C.difficilein 2015, down from 137 the year before.

Dr. German credits increased awareness in the publicand in the health-care community for the better statistics.

There's a concerted effort on the Island to stop the overuse of antibiotics, he believes.

"Now we've put guidelines in place, causing pharmacists to approach physicians, it's causing physicians to approach other physicians, about 'Is there any way we can not use this antibiotic?'" he said. "So there is a dialogue that is happening."

I think we're safer.- Dr. Greg German, medical microbiologist

Health PEIhas lots of anecdotal evidence showing people are using fewerantibiotics, and doing better using the appropriate ones, said Dr. German.

Plus, there are better practises in place in institutions, including more effective cleaning of bed pans. "I do think it's a combined effort of antibiotic stewardship, infection control, washing our hands better," he said.

YouTube videos effective

Health PEI has created a series of YouTube videos featuring some of the problems superbugs have caused on the Island, and Dr. German calls that an effective way of getting the word out about improving antibiotic use.

"Pharmacists, patients, physicians, talking about their struggles, because it seems we can't always get our Island to work together when it's just statistics," he said. "You really have to be sharing people's stories."

While he's preaching continued action and education, Dr. German also said what's been done so far is very good.

"We're making a difference on our antibiotic rates, and we're making a difference on how we use antibiotics," he said. "I think we're safer, and I really like the direction that we're going."

One of the events for World Antibiotic Awareness Week is a town hall for the public, being held Tuesday in O'Leary from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Rodd Mill River Resort.

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