Nwicker60
18-Apr-12, 07:56
Wards being closed to admissions
A MEETING was held this afternoon in Raigmore Hospital to review a number of recent cases of Clostridium difficile infection. While there are periodically people in hospital with clostridium difficile, we have three cases confirmed in one ward and are therefore managing this as if it was an outbreak, and are closing the ward to admissions.
The first case was confirmed at the end of March, the second case was confirmed at the beginning of April and the most recent case was confirmed on Saturday (14th April). The clostridium difficile infection is currently confined to one ward. The patients affected are being treated and are in isolation.
Clostridium difficile is a bacterium which particularly affects patients on strong antibiotics. It is spread in the faeces through bacteria and by spores which allow the bacteria to survive in the environment. It is a serious problem for hospitals because many patients are on antibiotics and are also already sick which makes them susceptible.
Commenting on the situation, Dr Rod Harvey, Associate Medical Director for Raigmore Hospital, said: “We are obviously very disappointed that there has been an increase in cases. The situation is being closely monitored.”
When controlling clostridium difficile there is no single solution but measures being taken include:
§ Closure of an affected ward (2C, which treats Oncology patients) to eliminate the risk of cross infection to newly admitted patients and to allow specialist cleaning to happen
§ Isolation of symptomatic patients
§ Increased frequency of routine cleaning
§ Ongoing intensive surveillance across the hospital
§ Limiting the use of broad spectrum antibiotics
§ Scrupulous compliance with hand-hygiene by staff and visitors to reduce the risk of spread in the hospital environment
§ Heightened awareness of control measures among staff, patients and visitors
Dr Harvey said: “The risks to healthy patients, visitors and staff are minimal. The actions we are taking are largely to reduce the risk of the infection spreading within the ward environment. Staff have already spoken to patients and have also contacted relatives of patients in the affected area to advise them of the situation and to discuss visiting arrangements.”
NHS Highland has advised that any member of the public who has recently been an inpatient in Raigmore Hospital and is concerned about symptoms of diarrhoea should contact NHS24 or their GP in the first instance.
A MEETING was held this afternoon in Raigmore Hospital to review a number of recent cases of Clostridium difficile infection. While there are periodically people in hospital with clostridium difficile, we have three cases confirmed in one ward and are therefore managing this as if it was an outbreak, and are closing the ward to admissions.
The first case was confirmed at the end of March, the second case was confirmed at the beginning of April and the most recent case was confirmed on Saturday (14th April). The clostridium difficile infection is currently confined to one ward. The patients affected are being treated and are in isolation.
Clostridium difficile is a bacterium which particularly affects patients on strong antibiotics. It is spread in the faeces through bacteria and by spores which allow the bacteria to survive in the environment. It is a serious problem for hospitals because many patients are on antibiotics and are also already sick which makes them susceptible.
Commenting on the situation, Dr Rod Harvey, Associate Medical Director for Raigmore Hospital, said: “We are obviously very disappointed that there has been an increase in cases. The situation is being closely monitored.”
When controlling clostridium difficile there is no single solution but measures being taken include:
§ Closure of an affected ward (2C, which treats Oncology patients) to eliminate the risk of cross infection to newly admitted patients and to allow specialist cleaning to happen
§ Isolation of symptomatic patients
§ Increased frequency of routine cleaning
§ Ongoing intensive surveillance across the hospital
§ Limiting the use of broad spectrum antibiotics
§ Scrupulous compliance with hand-hygiene by staff and visitors to reduce the risk of spread in the hospital environment
§ Heightened awareness of control measures among staff, patients and visitors
Dr Harvey said: “The risks to healthy patients, visitors and staff are minimal. The actions we are taking are largely to reduce the risk of the infection spreading within the ward environment. Staff have already spoken to patients and have also contacted relatives of patients in the affected area to advise them of the situation and to discuss visiting arrangements.”
NHS Highland has advised that any member of the public who has recently been an inpatient in Raigmore Hospital and is concerned about symptoms of diarrhoea should contact NHS24 or their GP in the first instance.