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| Deaths prompt heart patient alert | |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| A hospital has recalled 14 people who have had 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 contacted the patients, who all underwent 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 the three who died were among eight patients who had the surgery who went on to develop the skin infection staphylococcal. | 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 the other 14 were at low risk but had been recalled as a precaution. | |
| We have undertaken tests of our theatres and are confident that they are not the cause of the infections Dr Stephen Fowlie | 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. | 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". | 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 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]. | "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. | "Two of these patients are undergoing further tests, the others are well. |
| "We are making strenuous efforts to contact the remaining patient," he said. | "We are making strenuous efforts to contact the remaining patient," he said. |
| 'Thorough investigation' | '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. | 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. | 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. | "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. | "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." | "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 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". | 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. | A helpline has been set up via NHS Direct for concerned patients. |