Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/news/4648668.Blackburn_baby_unit_hit_by_superbug/
Blackburn baby unit hit by superbug
8:30am Friday 25th September 2009
Photograph of the Author By Nafeesa Shan ?
SEVEN babies in intensive care have contracted a superbug at Royal Blackburn Hospital.
Health bosses at the hospital have limited admissions to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Baby Unit after tests revealed the outbreak.
The hospital has said none of the seven babies carrying MSSA, or Methicillin-Sensitive Staphylococcus Aureus, on their skin are ill as a result of the colonisation.
But they will not be able to leave the hospital until they are given the all clear, which could be several weeks.
Three of the babies have been confirmed as being colonised with a type of MSSA called PVL-producing.
This variant is no more dangerous in most cases, but can rarely cause severe infection if it enters the bloodstream.
In some of the babies in the hospital it has caused skin spots, and in a small number of cases, stickiness in the eyes.
Only babies born in East Lancashire who need specialist intensive care treatment will be admitted.
A deep clean has been carried in one area of the unit. The babies will be transferred to another hospital with intensive care cots once stabilised.
The seven babies were identified as carrying an unusual strain of a common bacteria on their skin by the mirco biology testing department.
All of the babies identified to have MSSA colonisation are being given antibacterial baths to decolonise the skin.
They are being treated in isolation as a precaution.
Parents whose babies have been on the Baby Unit within the past two to three weeks are being asked to contact their GP if they notice any rash or spots on their child?s skin or have any other concerns.
Admissions to the unit have been limited as a precaution, to ensure that the bacteria do not spread, but it has not been closed.
The infection was discovered earlier this month and the unit will reopen as normal in about three weeks if three tests come back clear for MSSA.
MSSA, which can be treated with antibiotics unlike MRSA, often naturally occurs on the skin without causing any symptoms.
It is often found in acne spots.
Rineke Schram, director of infection prevention and control for East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: ?While we are concerned that these babies are colonised, we are confident that the bacteria can be contained quickly.
?We have identified the bacteria at an early stage and are dealing with it appropriately, working with colleagues in the Health Protection Agency and following its guidance.
?I am pleased that the identification and prevention process that we have had in place for some time has proved to be effective.
?I would like to reassure any families with babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit that we are taking this situation very seriously and every possible measure to eradicate MSSA from the unit is being taken.
?As always, the babies' safety is our main priority and staff are working hard to maintain the highest level of care possible for them.
?We continue to work closely with the families of the babies to ensure they are kept up to date with the situation and other babies within the unit are being screened on a regular basis to ensure we keep control of the situation.
"We once again ask anyone visiting the hospitals, especially the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, to be aware of hand hygiene and to wash their hands upon entering and leaving patient areas."
During the time in which admissions to the unit are limited, babies needing high-dependency care can be looked after in the special care baby unit at Burnley General Hospital.
The small number of mothers whose babies are expected to need intensive care will be transferred to other hospitals.
Dr Tom Smith, the Lancashire Telegraph?s doctor, said: ?MSSA is not as dangerous as MRSA.
"It can be treated with antibiotics where MRSA is resistant to them.
?MSSA is a benign germ which can be found in the nostrels or skin.
"It is usually found in teenagers acne spots.
"The babies could have contracted it from a mum coming to visit or possibly, and unusually, from a nurse contaminated with it.?
Blackburn baby unit hit by superbug
8:30am Friday 25th September 2009
Photograph of the Author By Nafeesa Shan ?
SEVEN babies in intensive care have contracted a superbug at Royal Blackburn Hospital.
Health bosses at the hospital have limited admissions to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Baby Unit after tests revealed the outbreak.
The hospital has said none of the seven babies carrying MSSA, or Methicillin-Sensitive Staphylococcus Aureus, on their skin are ill as a result of the colonisation.
But they will not be able to leave the hospital until they are given the all clear, which could be several weeks.
Three of the babies have been confirmed as being colonised with a type of MSSA called PVL-producing.
This variant is no more dangerous in most cases, but can rarely cause severe infection if it enters the bloodstream.
In some of the babies in the hospital it has caused skin spots, and in a small number of cases, stickiness in the eyes.
Only babies born in East Lancashire who need specialist intensive care treatment will be admitted.
A deep clean has been carried in one area of the unit. The babies will be transferred to another hospital with intensive care cots once stabilised.
The seven babies were identified as carrying an unusual strain of a common bacteria on their skin by the mirco biology testing department.
All of the babies identified to have MSSA colonisation are being given antibacterial baths to decolonise the skin.
They are being treated in isolation as a precaution.
Parents whose babies have been on the Baby Unit within the past two to three weeks are being asked to contact their GP if they notice any rash or spots on their child?s skin or have any other concerns.
Admissions to the unit have been limited as a precaution, to ensure that the bacteria do not spread, but it has not been closed.
The infection was discovered earlier this month and the unit will reopen as normal in about three weeks if three tests come back clear for MSSA.
MSSA, which can be treated with antibiotics unlike MRSA, often naturally occurs on the skin without causing any symptoms.
It is often found in acne spots.
Rineke Schram, director of infection prevention and control for East Lancashire Hospitals NHS Trust, said: ?While we are concerned that these babies are colonised, we are confident that the bacteria can be contained quickly.
?We have identified the bacteria at an early stage and are dealing with it appropriately, working with colleagues in the Health Protection Agency and following its guidance.
?I am pleased that the identification and prevention process that we have had in place for some time has proved to be effective.
?I would like to reassure any families with babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit that we are taking this situation very seriously and every possible measure to eradicate MSSA from the unit is being taken.
?As always, the babies' safety is our main priority and staff are working hard to maintain the highest level of care possible for them.
?We continue to work closely with the families of the babies to ensure they are kept up to date with the situation and other babies within the unit are being screened on a regular basis to ensure we keep control of the situation.
"We once again ask anyone visiting the hospitals, especially the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, to be aware of hand hygiene and to wash their hands upon entering and leaving patient areas."
During the time in which admissions to the unit are limited, babies needing high-dependency care can be looked after in the special care baby unit at Burnley General Hospital.
The small number of mothers whose babies are expected to need intensive care will be transferred to other hospitals.
Dr Tom Smith, the Lancashire Telegraph?s doctor, said: ?MSSA is not as dangerous as MRSA.
"It can be treated with antibiotics where MRSA is resistant to them.
?MSSA is a benign germ which can be found in the nostrels or skin.
"It is usually found in teenagers acne spots.
"The babies could have contracted it from a mum coming to visit or possibly, and unusually, from a nurse contaminated with it.?