Latest news with #InfectionPreventionandControl
IOL News
7 days ago
- Health
- IOL News
DA raises alarm over rising nosocomial infections in Gauteng hospitals
The Democratic Alliance (DA) has raised serious concerns about a health crisis in Gauteng, highlighting a surge in nosocomial (hospital-acquired) infections linked to unsanitary conditions and overcrowding in public hospitals. DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health, Jack Bloom. The Democratic Alliance has sounded the alarm over what it calls a 'growing health crisis' in Gauteng's public hospitals, where an increasing number of patients are reportedly contracting new infections due to unsanitary conditions, overcrowding, and neglect. This revelation follows a DA inquiry in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, which revealed that 7,743 patients acquired nosocomial infections while receiving care in public hospitals in 2024, many of them antibiotic-resistant and potentially life-threatening. DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health, Jack Bloom, explained that the infections, known as nosocomial infections, occur when patients contract illnesses during their hospital stay that are unrelated to their original condition. He pointed out that Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital (CMJH) had the highest incidence, with 1,473 out of 12,940 patients in 2024 contracting nosocomial infections, an alarming 11%, meaning roughly one in every ten patients was affected. Bloom also stated that nosocomial infections are more prevalent in higher-level hospitals due to the nature of their work, treating more complex cases, longer patient stays, frequent invasive procedures, and increased antibiotic use. He lamented that many of these infections are easily preventable with proper hygiene and stricter infection control measures. 'I am concerned that many patients are getting infections that can be easily avoided with basic improvements like decent cleaning and adequate linen. Imagine the extra pain and suffering of patients who pick up infections that extend their stay in the hospital and can even be life-threatening.' He also emphasised that linen shortages are a contributing factor, forcing patients to reuse bedding and pyjamas for extended periods. 'Surgical patients, in particular, face increased risks due to the hospital's inability to provide clean linen both before and after operations,' said Bloom. However, Bloom stressed that while a certain number of hospital-acquired infections may occur even in well-managed facilities, urgent intervention is needed at the most affected institutions, particularly Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital. He added that this is yet another reason why the hospital's CEO, Gladys Bogoshi, should be swiftly replaced with a capable and experienced professional. In response to the alarming surge in hospital-acquired infections, Gauteng Department of Health spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said several crucial measures have been implemented to curb the spread of nosocomial infections and enhance patient safety across public hospitals. 'A dedicated Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) committee has been established to oversee the implementation of IPC guidelines across healthcare facilities in the province. This committee convenes monthly to identify and address challenges faced by these facilities.' He further stated that Gauteng MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, assured that an Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Framework (IPCAF) evaluation was conducted to gauge compliance with infection control measures in healthcare facilities. The results were shared with hospital management, and six facilities were flagged as underperforming during the assessment. "Six healthcare facilities were identified as underperforming during the IPCAF assessment, leading to enforcement letters being issued to the CEOs of those hospitals. The IPC committee conducted follow-up visits to non-compliant hospitals, guiding them to develop Quality Improvement Plans and monitor their implementation," said Modiba. Modiba stressed that the department has rolled out a province-wide monitoring system to track and respond to hospital-acquired infections, with teams conducting regular checks to detect outbreaks early. 'IPC practitioners conduct daily, weekly, and monthly surveillance activities to monitor infection trends and identify microorganisms responsible for HAIs,' Modiba said. Modiba added that Antimicrobial Stewardship teams have been established to ensure antibiotics are used correctly and to curb resistance. He also noted that the department is offering refresher training for Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) practitioners. 'This training equips healthcare workers with up-to-date IPC practices, and participants are awarded a certificate of competence upon completion,' he said. Other hospitals with a worrying number of hospital-acquired infections include: Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital (CHBH) - 1796 (6%) out of 31 950 admissions. Edenvale Hospital - 407 (8%) out of 5166 admissions. Kalafong Hospital - 554 (6%) out of 8952 admissions. Tembisa Hospital - 596 (5%) out of 13 116 admissions. Rahima Moosa Hospital - 217 (5%) out of 4320 admissions. Leratong Hospital - 365 (4%) out of 1026 admissions. Pholosong Hospital - 249 (4%) out of 5796 admissions. The Star
RTÉ News
02-07-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
Emeis Ireland pauses all nursing home admissions
The Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has said that Emeis Ireland, the nursing home group which operates the two care centres featured in the RTÉ Investigates programme last month, has paused admissions to all 25 homes it runs in Ireland. An interim report published by HIQA outlines the regulatory history of the 25 centres, and details how it had to place restrictions on the operations of seven of the 25 homes as they failed to comply with regulations. The authority says at the Residence Portlaoise, which featured in the RTÉ Investigates programme, it had to issue "a formal letter warning of prosecution if the provider admitted any new residents and the condition was breached again", after it received information that the operator had not ceased admissions on 22 April as ordered. This followed a restrictive condition issued to the home after failings in care were discovered during inspections in October 2024, and in February this year. At the other home featured in the programme, Firstcare Beneavin Manor in Glasnevin in Dublin had a "chequered history of regulatory compliance" since 2021. It notes that in that year the home "voluntarily stopped admissions" and "also recognised that they were admitting residents whose needs they could not meet and agreed to review this". It says there was improvement in 2022, but an inspection in July 2023 found these were not sustained. A series of subsequent inspections led to improvements seen in an inspection in November last year. HIQA says The Residence Carton in Raheny, Dublin 6, which changed its name from TLC Carton in 2024, "has a history of poor compliance with the regulations, specifically regarding Governance and Management and Infection Prevention and Control". After several meetings with the provider, HIQA issued a letter last year warning it would cancel registration for the home unless issues were addressed "in a timely manner". It also issued a Notice of Proposed Decision which would have prevented the home admitting any patients, but this was not proceeded with, after the company issued a robust plan to address the issues and follow up inspection identified that improvements had been made. At the Belmont Private Nursing Home in Stillorgan, Co Dublin HIQA attached a restrictive condition in June 2022 "because the size and layout of all bedroom accommodation in the nursing home did not support the privacy and dignity of the residents living in these shared rooms". This was removed in October 2023 when the provider had complied with the requirements of the order. But an unannounced visit to the nursing home in January 2024 identified non compliance on infection prevention and control, premises and fire precautions. There was a cautionary meeting after which the management reduced the number of residents to enhance the lived experience of patients. At the Brookvale Manor Private Nursing Home in Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo, HIQA attached a restrictive condition in 2021 to reduce the number of residents from 57 to 37 to ensure that "residents are in receipt of appropriate care and support" and "the management team in place for the centre knows what a good service looks like and can ensure the delivery of that service". The restriction was removed in October 2023 and "The registered provider has sustained the improvements that were implements (sic) as evidenced by the findings of the most recent inspection in March 2025." At the Residence Citywest, in Fortunestown, Dublin 24, inspectors found during a visit in 2022 that the provider, Cubedale Limited, "was not complying with key regulations which underpin the care of residents: governance and management, oversight of the day to day operation of the nursing home, staffing and residents rights resulted in escalating regulatory engagement". There were two subsequent unannounced visits "before inspectors could be satisfied that Cubedale Limited was on a pathway to improved regulatory compliance and that the care of residents was improving." The most recent inspection in August 2024 "evidenced good levels of compliance with regulations, and residents and families expressed their satisfaction with the service in the nursing home. Staff and resident interactions were found to be positive and respectful," the report said. Maynooth Lodge Nursing Home in Co Kildare "has had an inconsistent history of regulatory compliance arising out of an unstable governance and management structure, insufficient staffing resources at times and ineffective service oversight." The report notes that "since 2021 there have been seven changes in the person in charge". Inspectors were sufficiently concerned to require weekly updates on staffing levels from October 2021 to March 2022. There was an improvement in March 2022, leading to an increase in the number of beds permitted at the home in May of that year. But then "subsequent risk inspections carried out on foot of unsolicited information in 2023 found a gradual decline in compliance and that the improvements previously observed were not sustained in the long-term." Inspections last year found "improving levels of compliance". The Residence Ashbourne, in Co Meath, "has had a history of non-compliance with regulations which resulted in escalating regulatory action and the addition of a restrictive condition to the registration of the designated centre." But HIQA reports the registered provider has since 2022 "continued on an improved trajectory of regulatory compliance across most regulations. Concerns in respect of premises and infection control were effectively addressed." 'Work in progress' HIQA says The Residence in Santry, Co Dublin, has "a chequered history of compliance over the past five years." Inspectors have found "sustained good levels of care and clinical oversight with good regulatory compliance," but also "significant and repeated concerns in respect of the governance and management and oversight of premises and fire safety persisted, which led to escalating regulatory action". This led to the number of beds at the centre being reduced from 128 in 2023 to 94 in 2024. That restrictive condition was removed last October when specific issues were addressed. HIQA says a programme of renovations "remains a work in progress" but inspectors could see improvements with the most recent announced inspection in June. The RTÉ Investigates programme, broadcast on 4 June, uncovered multiple examples of care failings and neglect of vulnerable older residents at the two nursing homes, run by Emeis Ireland. An interim HIQA report published on 17 June revealed hundreds of cases of alleged or confirmed abuse at Firstcare Beneavin Manor in Glasnevin in Co Dublin since June 2022 and at The Residence Portlaoise since December 2023. The report said a high number of notifications "does not necessarily indicate a non-compliant service, and often means a strong culture of recognising and submitting incidents which fall into the required notification categories".
NZ Herald
05-05-2025
- Health
- NZ Herald
Waikato Hospital NICU babies treated for Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections
The first case was reported on December 28. Adams said the hospital could not confirm how many babies were affected 'due to very small numbers and the risk of individuals becoming identifiable'. 'Visitor restrictions are in place for the NICU, with a limit of two parents or caregivers for each family,' Adams said. 'There are strict hygiene requirements for anyone entering and exiting the ward.' Adams said Pseudomonas aeruginosa was generally found in soil and water and was easily transmitted through contact. 'Premature babies are susceptible to bacterial colonisation or infection due to their low immunity. 'Those testing positive will generally be asymptomatic or have limited signs of infection but they are at greater risk of serious infection than healthy adults.' Adams said the NICU had extremely strict infection prevention protocols in place and was working closely with Infection Prevention and Control to eliminate the bacteria. 'The NICU remains a very safe environment for pre-term babies and babies born with high needs across the Waikato, and the wider Te Manawa Taki region. 'There is a regular cycle of precautionary screening in place for a range of infections.' In response to follow-up questions about when the visitor restrictions were put in place, a Health New Zealand spokesperson said: 'The visitor restrictions referred to in our statement are a general policy which has been in place since the Covid-19 pandemic.' What is Pseudomonas aeruginosa and how dangerous is it? University of Otago Department of Microbiology and Immunology associate professor Daniel Pletzer said Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections could lead to serious complications. 'The most severe include the spread of the bacteria to the bloodstream and other organs, potentially resulting in sepsis, multi-organ failure and death.' While it rarely causes disease in healthy individuals, Pletzer said, Pseudomonas posed a significant risk to immunocompromised people. 'Pre-term infants, particularly those with low birth weights, are also at higher risk of serious infections.' Pletzer said Pseudomonas is a well-known cause of hospital-acquired infections and easily spread through contaminated surfaces like taps and sinks, medical equipment and direct human contact. 'Pseudomonas aeruginosa is highly adaptable and can survive in a wide range of harsh environments, making it a true survival specialist.' Pletzer said some strains of the bacteria could be resistant to 'nearly all available antibiotics'. 'Another unique feature is its ability to form biofilms. Biofilms protect the bacteria from environmental threats, the host immune system and antibiotic treatments, making infections difficult to eradicate, especially in hospital settings.' Pletzer said treating infections in newborns was also more challenging than in adults, requiring careful antibiotic selection, dosing and monitoring. 'Consultation with an infectious disease specialist is crucial,' Pletzer said. 'Strict infection control protocols should be implemented, including enhanced hand hygiene for anyone entering the NICU, thorough and frequent cleaning of rooms and equipment and ensuring the safety of the hospital's water supply.' Pletzer said the seriousness of the situation depended on the strain's resistance to antibiotics. 'If a multidrug-resistant strain is present, containment and strict infection control measures are critical to preventing further spread and protecting vulnerable infants.' In 2020, four newborn babies and four of their caregivers developed symptoms of antibiotic-resistant superbug MRSA at Waikato Hospital's NICU. The then Waikato DHB said the outbreak ended after no new cases were identified for eight weeks.
