BBC News Online: Health

Flowers pose health risk, says hospital

The Royal Shrewsbury Hospital has put up signs urging visitors to bring alternative presents because flowers increase the chances of patients being struck down with a bacterium called pseudomonas.

The bug develops in the flowers' water when vegetation rots and is particularly active in hot weather. The bug can cause patients' wounds to produce a bluish-green pus.

Huge costs

Up to 5,000 patients die from a hospital-acquired infection every year, costing the NHS £1bn, according to the National Audit Office (NAO).

Many of these infections could be prevented.

A hospital spokesman said the directive only applied to patients on the surgical ward.

"We were advised by our infection control unit and we have asked visitors to bring plants instead," a hospital spokesman said.

"Visitors can bring flowers to other parts of the hospital. We love flowers they brighten the whole place up."

Potential deadly

At any one time, 9% of patients in NHS hospitals are suffering from an infection acquired while on wards or in surgery, according to the NAO.

Urinary tract infections are particularly common, but surgical wounds, skin and the bloodstream can all be infected with potentially deadly bacteria.

In extreme cases, antibiotic-resistant superbugs like MRSA - methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus - can spread through hospitals.