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Hospital recalls heart patients Hospital recalls heart patients
(30 minutes later)
A Nottingham hospital is recalling patients who have undergone heart valve surgery after three patients died from an infection. A hospital has recalled 14 people who have had heart valve surgery after three patients died from an infection.
Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust is contacting those who have undergone the procedure at the Trent Cardiac Centre at the City Hospital. Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust contacted the patients, who all underwent the procedure at the Trent Cardiac Centre at the City Hospital.
A trust spokesman said some patients who had the surgery developed an infection with the same bug. A trust spokesman said the three who died were among eight patients who had the surgery who went on to develop the skin infection staphylococcal.
He said patients were at low risk but are being recalled as a precaution. He said patients were at low risk but were being recalled as a precaution.
The trust said those affected will be contacted by the end of the week and offered tests. We have undertaken tests of our theatres and are confident that they are not the cause of the infections Dr Stephen Fowlie
The trust said the five patients suffering from the infection were in a stable condition.
Medical director Dr Stephen Fowlie said any infection after an operation could be "very serious".
"We have contacted 15 patients who had very similar operations for tests to check their health and post-operative recovery.
"We will have completed checks on 14 of the 15 patients by the end of today [Thursday].
"Two of these patients are undergoing further tests, the others are well.
"We are making strenuous efforts to contact the remaining patient," he said.
'Thorough investigation'
Dr Fowlie said a further 79 patients who have had heart valve operations in the centre this year will be invited to undergo checks.
He said this group was at a low risk because their operations were not "as similar" as surgery carried out on the 15 patients.
"Patients can be reassured that those who are at greatest risk of post-operative infection with this bug have already been contacted," Dr Fowlie added.
"As soon as an unusual pattern of post-operative problems emerged, we commenced a thorough investigation.
"We have undertaken tests of our theatres and are confident that they are not the cause of the infections."
The doctor said that no other types of heart operations or other operations have shown any cause for concern.
The trust has not stopped heart valve operations at the centre, but some procedures have been changed to "ensure patient safety".
A helpline has been set up via NHS Direct for concerned patients.