Health boards will have to monitor hospital superbug infections more closely under new rules announced today by the Scottish Government.

Health boards will have to monitor hospital superbug infections more closely under new rules announced today by the Scottish Government.

Rates of infection for the MRSA and Clostridium difficile bugs will have to be reported at frequent intervals for each hospital.

Health boards will have to show how these match national and regional targets.

They will also have to report how hospitals are complying with hand hygiene and cleaning requirements.

And findings will be published every two months for discussion in public at board meetings.

The moves follow a report last year into an outbreak of C diff which affected a total of 55 people at the Vale of Leven Hospital in West Dunbartonshire.

The infection was the main cause of death in nine patients and factor in another nine deaths.

The moves were announced by Ms Sturgeon ahead of a visit to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where she also say a demonstration of an electronic bed management system which may in future be used to track infection cases.

Ms Sturgeon said the new rules would bring "clear, standardised and transparent" information on infection rates.

"Better monitoring will allow us to identify any infection trouble spots and take urgent action to address problems, while also giving the public unprecedented levels of local information," she said The health secretary declared: "It's vital that everyone has confidence in their NHS and the standard of care they will receive if they need to go into hospital.

"That's why tackling healthcare associated infections (HAIs) is a top priority for us.

"Today's announcement is part of a package of measures designed to both address the problem and boost public confidence."