University Hospital of North Staffordshire bug kills two babies
TWO new-born babies have died and a third is still in isolation after a rare bug swept through a hospital department.
The outbreak at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire (UHNS) also spread to four more premature babies who have now recovered and been allowed home.
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University Hospital of North Staffordshire's neonatal intensive care unit had to be closed to new cases to stop the disease attacking other infants.
The complex's neonatal intensive care unit had to be closed to new cases to stop the disease attacking other infants.
And the whole special care baby unit in the top floor of the four-year-old maternity centre was deep-cleaned.
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The deaths also prompted hospital managers to bring in experts from the Health Protection Agency (HPA) to review infection control practices.
Post-mortem examinations on the babies, born before 28 weeks, found they died from the Serratia Marcescens bacteria.
Further tests confirmed the link between the disease and the hospital.
The bug is found in the stomach and bowel of children and while not harmful to healthy people, in rare cases it causes serious infection in the vulnerable, such as pre-term babies.
The outbreak started in July but details were only revealed for the first time at a hospital meeting yesterday.
Although the unit continued to admit babies born in the centre, it was closed to admissions from other hospitals which make up the regional network of baby units. The restrictions stayed in place for two weeks.
The surviving infants – including the baby still in intensive care – were found to be carriers of the bug and did not suffer the illness itself.
But they were placed in isolation incubators while their treatment continued for conditions linked to be being born prematurely.
Last night, chief executive Julie Bridgewater, below left, passed the trust's condolences to the two bereaved families. She said: "We identified the infection in our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). It can affect babies born extremely prematurely.
"Sadly two babies who died, both born before 28 weeks, had this uncommon infection and post-mortems confirmed Serratia Marcescens as the cause of death. The families of the two babies were informed at the time of this infection." UHNS infection experts said parents of babies already discharged had no need to worry.
Consultant Microbiologist Dr Jeorge Orendi said: "As a precaution we temporarily closed NICU to new admissions.
"The five other babies who were carrying the organism, but not unwell, were isolated.
"One of those continues to be treated on the unit for other conditions and will remain here until well enough to go home.
"In addition we carried out a deep clean of neonatal intensive care and reviewed infection prevention practice immediately with assistance from the HPA.
"Further tests on the organisms isolated performed by the HPA confirmed an outbreak."
Was your baby affected by the outbreak?
Comments
by A_Reader
Saturday, September 29 2012, 10:00AM
“I get the most most red arrows for saying something that almost all the other posts are saying. I plan on going to Macclesfield Hospital if I get sick, not this filthy, bug ridden hospital where floors are cleaned with mucky mops and staff put anti bacteria procedures in place AFTER a tragedy has happened. Disgusting place - these babies should not have lost their lives!”
by RachaelJade90
Friday, September 28 2012, 11:17AM
“Is this site slow to upload comments or is it my laptop? I think its your caldoncut disliking what I say I bet you have no idea what it is like to give birth to your baby, just to have it taken away from you then seeing it covering in tubes and hooked up to machines, it breaks your heart its the worst experience in life ever, then when I got told there was a bug outbreak, that just makes it a million times worse, just hope to god it never happens to you”
by RachaelJade90
Friday, September 28 2012, 11:10AM
“Obviously some childish person isn't liking my comments, grow up, you have no idea what it is like to have a very poorly child in there, it absolutely break your heart to see your baby (and others) covered in wires and tubes, just hope it never happens to you as it is the worst experience you will ever get xx”
by KarenMcLeary
Friday, September 28 2012, 10:54AM
“3 of my Grandchildren and my great nephew have been in the neonatal unit over the last 3 years and have recieved excellent care from both the Doctors and Nurses in the neonatal unit and the maternity unit. The care and dedication given to my daughter when she had her twin grandsons at 23 weeks gestation was exceptional both by the Neonatal staff and the Midwives and Doctors and even though they did not survive the Doctors did everything the could to keep them alive. Mr Young, my daughters consultant has taken considerable care over her for her following 2 pregnancies and I wouldn't have my 2 beautiful grandaughters if it wasn't for that care and dedication.
Over the last 3 years I have spent a considerable amount of time visiting the maternity hospital and have never found it unclean. The Doctors and Nurses have always followed correct handwashing procedure and take care not to spread infection. The cleaners work tirelessly to ensure that the wards are clean.
Unfortunately prem babies are susceptible to bacteria that would not hard a full term baby; the staff have to juggle between keeping the babies safe from harm and ensuring that the babies family maintain a functional family unit. Infection can enter a unit through many vehicles and the neonatal staff cannot entirely be responsible for one carried in by visitors, they can only maintain a high degree of cleanliness to ensure that the babies are as safe as possible - we have many opportunistic bacteria that naturally live on our skin and in our respiratory tract it is impossible to eradicate them all.
As a lecturer of students who are hoping to become nurses I often visit my ex students in their hospitals and view their standards of cleanliness and I can ensure you that North Staffordshire Maternity Hospital cleanliness and procedures to combat against infectious diseases are second to none.
My daughters new baby is now in the neonatal unit and I am grateful for their continual care and dedication.”
by warren-lloyd
Friday, September 28 2012, 10:41AM
“Can we try and keep it a good debts hear please this is a big story and people will be coming hear o seen local reports and reaction. The problem needs debate in an adult way, so let respect everyone views and lay off the red silly red arrows yes. I can only talk for the hospital in general and the cardiac wards that I have been on, and At times, the cleaning on them wards could be brought into question at some times of day.”
by RachaelJade90
Friday, September 28 2012, 10:05AM
“Whoever gave me a bad comment, were you there? Was your baby critically ill? Have some heart for whats happened”
by RachaelJade90
Friday, September 28 2012, 9:58AM
“Whoever gave me a bad rating, were you THERE when it happened? Hmmm... Try having a heart for whats happened”
by RachaelJade90
Friday, September 28 2012, 9:57AM
“Whoever gave me a bad rating, were you THERE when it happened? Hmmm...”
by RachaelJade90
Friday, September 28 2012, 9:01AM
“I mean gloves, but to be honest me and my boyfriend were always with my son and I never saw the floor mopped or anything until the news of this bug came out... Maybe you did Zimo as there was twins in the opposite room my son was moved into there after the bug came out x”
by RachaelJade90
Friday, September 28 2012, 8:50AM
“The nurses washed, sanitised and changed clothes between seeing each baby caldoncut,”