Deaths of two patients probed in C Diff outbreak
Tuesday November 03 2009
The deaths of two patients at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda are being investigated amid an outbreak of the hospital infection, C Diff (Clostridium Difficile).
The hospital has shut its doors to new patients and visitors as it battles to stem the spread of the infection.
A HSE spokeswoman confirmed two deaths in recent days were notified to the coroner to determine if the bug was responsible.
"If a patient dies that has been exposed to or contracted C Diff, their death is notified to the coroner and he is responsible for determining if C Diff was the cause or a contributory factor to their death," she said.
Ten patients have tested positive for the bug while another two are showing symptoms, which can include diarrhoea and fever.
Health chiefs have shut down three wards and cancelled all planned surgery at the Co Louth hospital until they bring the outbreak under control.
In a statement, the HSE asked members of the public not to visit the hospital, which treats patients from Louth, Meath and north Dublin
"If a visit is essential or unavoidable, the public are asked to telephone the hospital in advance to make arrangements," it said. "Also all elective admissions, including elective scopes, are cancelled until further notice."
C Diff is contagious and spreads very easily but can usually be prevented with good hygiene.
Naturally present in humans, it does not cause problems for healthy people but can multiply out of control, particularly in people being treated with antibiotics - making hospitals susceptible to infection. Most people make a full recovery, however, in rare cases it can be fatal.
