HHS
UPDATE: Sept 5 - C. difficile at the Juravinski Hospital on a Medicine Unit |
| September 5, 2012 MEDIA UPDATE Issue: C. difficile outbreak on a medical unit (E3), at the Juravinski Hospital site of Hamilton Health Sciences. Status as of 7:25 pm on September 5, 2012: •There are 5 hospital-acquired cases on E3, 2 of which are new today. From the affected area, one patient was transferred to another unit over the weekend to access a private room, and one patient passed away today. After a careful medical review of the deceased patient’s case, it was determined that C. difficile was unlikely to have contributed to the patient’s death as the patient’s symptoms were resolving. Since C. difficile infection can be triggered by antibiotic use, each patient on antibiotics on the unit continues to be reviewed by the Antimicrobial Stewardship Group and antibiotic treatments are adjusted as required by the patient’s condition. Enhanced C. difficile infection prevention and control measures have been implemented to prevent the spread of this infectious disease. This has included careful cleaning of specific patient care areas. Over the next two days, additional cleaning measures involving a very careful cleaning of the entire unit will be undertaken. To allow for this work to be done, Unit E3 will be closed to new admissions. All clinics and services at the Juravinski Hospital are continuing to function as usual. Hamilton Health Sciences, in partnership with Hamilton Public Health, is monitoring this situation closely and will provide updates. Hamilton Health Sciences recognizes the need for ongoing staff and public education about C. difficile, and has produced two videos that are now available online. In one, Dr. Dominik Mertz, HHS Medical Director of Infection Control & Prevention, gives basic information about C diff. In the other, Cindy O’Neill and Cindy Rogers, also from HHS’ Infection Control program, discuss and demonstrate proper hand washing. Here is the link: http://vimeopro.com/hamiltonhealthsciences/expertswhoknow (If viewing on a slower connection, please allow a moment for the video to load.) Background •C. difficile outbreak on a medical unit (E3) at the Juravinski Hospital declared on August 27, 2012 -30- For more information, contact: Vel Snoukphonh Public Relations & Communications, Hamilton Health Sciences Tel.: (905) 521- 2100, ext. 64138 Paging: (905) 521-5030 Email: Vel.Snoukphonh@jcc.hhsc.ca |