AN ISOLATED case of hospital super-bug MRSA was down to a drug user who refused blood tests.

The individual, who came to Great Western Hospital for treatment in September, initially refused to give bloods for a blood culture – a method used by doctors to diagnose infections.

Dr Guy Rooney, medical director, told a meeting of the hospital trust’s board of directors: “Eventually, when the individual did agree to have blood cultures taken, MRSA was identified.

“They were later found to have an abscess in their spine which also grew MRSA, so it’s likely that’s the reason why they came in.

“They probably had it before they arrived here.”

The individual was the only patient found to be carrying MRSA across the Great Western Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in September.

Often referred to as a hospital “super-bug”, MRSA is resistant to a number of common antibiotics.

The bacteria can cause an infection that results in confusion, dizziness and some flu-like symptoms.

Peter Hill, a non-executive director of the trust, said: “The staff need to be congratulated for very good work on infection control.”