Labour call for PRI C. diff outbreak probe
Scottish Labour has demanded an investigation into the outbreak of the superbug C. diff at Perth Royal Infirmary which has been contracted by four patients, one of whom has died.
- By Eric Nicolson
- Published in the Courier : 06.04.10
- Published online : 06.04.10 @ 12.46pm
Labour health spokeswoman Jackie Baillie MSP has insisted it is "essential" that the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate looks into the situation as a matter of urgency.
Ms Baillie said, "There can be no doubt that hospital acquired infections such as C. diff remain a real threat to patients in Scotland.
"Our thoughts are with the families affected by this outbreak.
"There needs to be an investigation of how this outbreak occurred, when the first case was identified and whether all appropriate steps were taken to prevent the spread of C. diff to other patients in Perth Royal Infirmary.
"This is not the first significant outbreak experienced in NHS Tayside. It is therefore essential that the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate carry out an urgent inspection of the hospital so that lessons can be learned.
"Ministers should immediately implement Labour's 15point plan for tackling hospital superbugs, which was drawn up with assistance from Britain's leading expert in infection control, Professor Hugh Pennington.
"Investing in an effective and comprehensive programme of measures to tackle hospital superbugs would improve safety for patients."
NHS Tayside released details of the timeline of the outbreak.
- February 12 — patient tests positive (patient immediately in isolation in a side room; died late March). There are no results to suggest this was the beginning of the outbreak, it was stated. This was managed as a single, sporadic case. and the patient was isolated immediately.
- March 30 — second patient tests positive. Patient moved to a side room as soon as they developed symptoms, before the sample had been tested. This was managed as a second presumed sporadic case.
- April 2 — third patient tests positive. Again the patient was moved to a side room as soon as they developed symptoms, before the sample had been tested. This was managed as a possible linked case.
- April 4 — fourth patient tests positive. Outbreak confirmed and ward closed to new admissions.
Three elderly patients at PRI are still under close observation in the wake of the death.
The care for the elderly ward they are in (Tay ward) has been closed to new admissions while a specialist inspection control team takes charge of the situation.
NHS Tayside took this decision on Sunday in the wake of a patient's death after contracting the dangerous infection.
C. diff 'a factor' in death
A spokesperson stressed that Clostridium difficile infection "was a factor but not the main cause" in the patient's death.
Of the three others now being monitored, one patient is recovering from the infection and two still have mild symptoms.
The first case was isolated as soon as the infection was confirmed and the others as soon as symptoms occurred, NHS Tayside said.
The inspection control team will meet again today to reassess the situation.
The spokesperson stated, "It won't be until they are completely satisfied that the ward will be reopened to new admissions."
For all cases, samples have been tested locally as positive for C. diff.
The samples are now all at the reference laboratory for typing to identify the strain of C. difficile and this can take some time.
Staff have spoken to Tay ward patients and families to explain the situation and to assure them of the actions they have taken on the ward.
Also contacted were those patients who have been discharged from Tay ward since Friday, March 26, to inform them of the situation and give them the opportunity to speak to senior nurses if they have any concerns.
Dr Gillian Orange, consultant microbiologist, stated, "These cases of C. diff infection were detected very early which meant we were then able to reinforce all appropriate infection control measures.
"I am absolutely confident that all appropriate procedures to deal with this infection have been put in place immediately and that every effort has been made to make patients and their families aware of what is happening."
Last year figures were released showing that between May 2008 and May 2009, Perth Royal Infirmary recorded 51 cases of C. diff.
