Durban - A multi-drug resistant bacterial infection is suspected to have claimed the lives of two babies, with seven others infected, at the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital - all within a month.
The infection, known as Acinetobacter, is a bacterium that causes septiceamia, meningitis and hospital-acquired pneumonia, especially in people with compromised immune systems. But the Department of Health says there is no outbreak.
Leaked documents, sent to the DA in Pietermaritzburg, show a string of e-mails between health professionals and includes a list of patients infected with the bacteria.
One e-mail, with the subject line “MDR Acinetobacter outbreak in the NICU (Neonatal ICU) IALCH (the hospital)” read: “We have (had) 9 babies with this organism from February to date. Four babies came in with the organism (three from Lower Umfolozi and one Prince Mshyeni Hospital) and the remainder was acquired here...
DA MPL Dr Imraan Keeka said he received a call from a source last week informing him of the outbreak.
The caller, who is believed to be from the hospital, sent documents to Keeka, which he verified before going public.
On Sunday Keeka sent a letter to the health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo.
“The fact that the department kept this information under wraps is criminal. Inkosi Albert Luthuli’s neonatal ICU is regarded as the top unit in the province. Babies referred there are the sickest in the province and often have multiple complications and are either scheduled for, or have had, multiple surgeries.
“To then acquire this life-threatening infection, while being in what is supposed to be one of the best units in the country, is shocking. The confirmation of nine cases within one unit can, under no circumstances, be regarded as normal.
“Clearly infection control regulations are not being adhered to as this is not the first of such outbreaks.”
Keeka said he would urge Dhlomo to act and table a motion in Parliament on Tuesday.
“We expect the department to conduct an immediate and comprehensive inspection of infection controls in that facility,” he said.
The leaked document also highlighted the outcome of a spot inspection report done at the neonatal ICU in March. Among the findings were:
*Poor waste management with mixing of food items with medical and other waste.
*Dirty waste container lids being changed by an Ecocycle staff member in the middle of the unit.
*An untidy sluice room with shelves thick with dust and linen not being removed in regulation yellow bags.
*An emergency trolley that had still not been checked by 10am on that day with the oxygen cylinder not prepared.
*A dead baby’s chart revealed there was no referral letter. The same chart revealed the mother was not kept informed of the child’s condition until death.
*Medication administration delayed by two hours in one instance.
Health department spokesman, Sam Mkhwanazi, said the hospital had identified the presence of the Acinetobacter, and it had been addressed as per infection control protocols.
“These protocols were extended to the mentioned hospitals. The babies who passed away were born prematurely and had poor immunity. They were in the intensive care unit and had been on life support. The bacterium was not the primary cause of death.
“The department regrets the loss of lives and extends its condolences to the families. The situation has been dealt with and there is no outbreak.”
Sunday Tribune