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Five die in hospital bug outbreak | Five die in hospital bug outbreak |
(about 20 hours later) | |
An outbreak of the Clostridium difficile (C.diff) bug has killed two hospital patients and contributed to the deaths of three more. | |
The patients were among a total of eight elderly people who contracted the infection at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee over an 18 day period. | The patients were among a total of eight elderly people who contracted the infection at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee over an 18 day period. |
All of those affected had been in the hospital's ward 31, which generally cares for geriatric patients. | All of those affected had been in the hospital's ward 31, which generally cares for geriatric patients. |
Seven of the patients had contracted the more dangerous 027 strain. | Seven of the patients had contracted the more dangerous 027 strain. |
NHS Tayside said it carried out regular testing in order to detect C.diff outbreaks early. | |
Dr Gabby Phillips, lead infection control doctor for Ninewells Hospital, said the ward remained closed to new admissions. | Dr Gabby Phillips, lead infection control doctor for Ninewells Hospital, said the ward remained closed to new admissions. |
The hospital has been dealing with the outbreak since September, over a 10 week period. | The hospital has been dealing with the outbreak since September, over a 10 week period. |
The deaths occurred between 19 October and 6 November. | The deaths occurred between 19 October and 6 November. |
'Appropriate measures' | 'Appropriate measures' |
Dr Phillips added: "We have comprehensive infection monitoring procedures throughout our hospitals and these are able to rapidly identify any emerging trends of infection which then trigger a rapid response from our infection control teams. | Dr Phillips added: "We have comprehensive infection monitoring procedures throughout our hospitals and these are able to rapidly identify any emerging trends of infection which then trigger a rapid response from our infection control teams. |
"These cases of C.diff infection were detected very early which meant we were then able to identify the 027 strain rapidly and reinforce all appropriate infection control measures. | |
"There have been no new cases identified in the ward for 10 days. I am confident that all appropriate procedures to deal with this infection were put in place immediately." | "There have been no new cases identified in the ward for 10 days. I am confident that all appropriate procedures to deal with this infection were put in place immediately." |
She added that the hospital had sought external advice over its policies and procedures, and had been "reassured that our surveillance systems are robust". | She added that the hospital had sought external advice over its policies and procedures, and had been "reassured that our surveillance systems are robust". |