Nwicker60
04-Jun-12, 16:25
Routine testing revealed germ in three patients - all have since been discharged
AS a result of routine testing in Raigmore Hospital, in Inverness the bacterium Pseudomonas was identified in three patients who were being treated in the hospital. The clinical condition of the patients was not affected and they have all been discharged from hospital.
Pseudomonas is avery resistantbacterium (sometimes called a bug/germ) that is often found in soil and water. It is more likely to infect people who are hospitalised and have underlying health problems, particularly the very young and the elderly. It is unlikely to cause serious infection in healthy people.
The source of the infection was linked back to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). As a precaution, the Infection Control and Prevention Team advised that the unit needed to be temporarily closed to allow a thorough and rapid cleaning process.
By far the most effective way of cleaning the hospital environment is to use Hydrogen peroxide. However, to use this agent for cleaning it has to be done with no people (staff or patients) in the area.
In order to manage this situation Raigmore implemented their Business Continuity arrangements for ICU and Intensive Care facilities within Theatres was put in action. This allowed a cleaning regimen and re-testing to take place over the weekend. This has now been successfully completed and temporary arrangements will be stepped down tonight with all patients and staff returning to the unit.
Commenting on the arrangements Mr Ron Coggins, Clinical Director for the Surgical Services Division, said: “Patients who were in ICU were transferred for their care to the Theatre recovery area. In effect the care which is provided in ICU ran as normal but in a different location. There was no disruption to Surgical Services over the weekend.”
Dr Emma Watson, Lead Doctor in Infection Control, explained: “We are continuing to carry out our investigations which form part of our routine plans for responding to situations likes this. So far we have no evidence that the clinical condition of any patients have been affected.”
The identification ofPseudomonas comes on the back of a Clostridium difficile out break earlier in the year which was subject to a detailed Significant Event Review report, which has now been published.
Dr Rod Harvey, Associate Medical Director for Raigmore Hospital said: “We are already acting on the findings of Significant Event Review (SER). To a certain extent the finding ofPseudomonas reflects some of the practical challenges that we have already highlighted in keeping the fabric of the building microbiologically clean. They are, however, very different bugs, and like Clostridium difficile, it is common for Pseudomonas to be in a hospital environment.
“The cleaning regimen we have used over the weekend reflects the recommendations from the Significant Event Review. We also took the opportunity to make other improvements in the facilities in ICU while it was unoccupied. This is part of our ongoing planned programme of work to systematically review all of the clinical areas in the hospital. This work is progressing well.
“As the hospital operates 24/7 services it is common to have to temporarily shut areas to allow routine maintenance or upgrading work to happen, and this went very smoothly.”
No special precautions are required of visitors to the hospital. However as is always the case all visitors should pay particular attention to their hand hygiene when entering and leaving wards to help prevent the spread of infection.
The hospital continues to operate normally.
AS a result of routine testing in Raigmore Hospital, in Inverness the bacterium Pseudomonas was identified in three patients who were being treated in the hospital. The clinical condition of the patients was not affected and they have all been discharged from hospital.
Pseudomonas is avery resistantbacterium (sometimes called a bug/germ) that is often found in soil and water. It is more likely to infect people who are hospitalised and have underlying health problems, particularly the very young and the elderly. It is unlikely to cause serious infection in healthy people.
The source of the infection was linked back to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). As a precaution, the Infection Control and Prevention Team advised that the unit needed to be temporarily closed to allow a thorough and rapid cleaning process.
By far the most effective way of cleaning the hospital environment is to use Hydrogen peroxide. However, to use this agent for cleaning it has to be done with no people (staff or patients) in the area.
In order to manage this situation Raigmore implemented their Business Continuity arrangements for ICU and Intensive Care facilities within Theatres was put in action. This allowed a cleaning regimen and re-testing to take place over the weekend. This has now been successfully completed and temporary arrangements will be stepped down tonight with all patients and staff returning to the unit.
Commenting on the arrangements Mr Ron Coggins, Clinical Director for the Surgical Services Division, said: “Patients who were in ICU were transferred for their care to the Theatre recovery area. In effect the care which is provided in ICU ran as normal but in a different location. There was no disruption to Surgical Services over the weekend.”
Dr Emma Watson, Lead Doctor in Infection Control, explained: “We are continuing to carry out our investigations which form part of our routine plans for responding to situations likes this. So far we have no evidence that the clinical condition of any patients have been affected.”
The identification ofPseudomonas comes on the back of a Clostridium difficile out break earlier in the year which was subject to a detailed Significant Event Review report, which has now been published.
Dr Rod Harvey, Associate Medical Director for Raigmore Hospital said: “We are already acting on the findings of Significant Event Review (SER). To a certain extent the finding ofPseudomonas reflects some of the practical challenges that we have already highlighted in keeping the fabric of the building microbiologically clean. They are, however, very different bugs, and like Clostridium difficile, it is common for Pseudomonas to be in a hospital environment.
“The cleaning regimen we have used over the weekend reflects the recommendations from the Significant Event Review. We also took the opportunity to make other improvements in the facilities in ICU while it was unoccupied. This is part of our ongoing planned programme of work to systematically review all of the clinical areas in the hospital. This work is progressing well.
“As the hospital operates 24/7 services it is common to have to temporarily shut areas to allow routine maintenance or upgrading work to happen, and this went very smoothly.”
No special precautions are required of visitors to the hospital. However as is always the case all visitors should pay particular attention to their hand hygiene when entering and leaving wards to help prevent the spread of infection.
The hospital continues to operate normally.