Treat MRSA at home, scientists urge

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

A new report claims the NHS could save millions of pounds if people infected with the bug were treated away from hospital.

Scientists said those with MRSA were unlikely to spread the bug to healthy people and could take antibiotics at home.

But one leading expert in the field warned the plan may not be safe for everyone.

The study, produced by seven experts and the campaign group, National Concern for Healthcare Infections (NCHI), said many patients could be treated at home. Contrary to common fears, treating people in the community is unlikely to spread MRSA infection as it generally only infects through open wounds or IV lines, it said.

"Traditionally, people who have an infection caused by MRSA have been treated in hospital, usually by intravenous antibiotics. Intravenous medicines need to be given by a healthcare professional, such as a nurse, and in some cases it is only the need for intravenous antibiotics that keeps a person in hospital when they are otherwise medically fit to go home.

"In many cases, it is thought that if appropriate treatment was available, it would be possible for the MRSA infection to be treated outside hospital. People with MRSA infection are not a danger to healthy people."

The report said studies have suggested that up to a third of those with MRSA could be discharged from hospital with an oral antibiotic.

Mark Wilcox, professor of medical microbiology at the University of Leeds, worked on the report. He said: "Treating people with MRSA at home offers multiple benefits in terms of infection control, and reducing NHS costs and resource use. Many patients would also prefer to be discharged from hospital to be with their families while they finish their treatment, and they should be given that option, where possible."

A spokesman for the Department of Health said home treatment may be appropriate for some patients. "There is now a strong move to provide treatment for patients at home, and we would support this approach being more widely available when appropriate," he said.