Bacteria scare forces neonatal unit closure
Melbourne’s Monash Medical Centre has closed its neonatal intensive care unit to new patients after the death of a second baby possibly caused by the serratia bacteria.
Melbourne’s Monash Medical Centre has closed its neonatal intensive care unit to new patients after the death of a second baby possibly caused by the serratia bacteria.The baby was known to be infected with the bacteria and died late last week following a major operation.Last month another baby from the unit died from the bacteria, while 19 babies are currently carrying the disease.Southern Health chief executive Doctor Syd Allen says the hospital is stepping up its hygiene protocol and as a precaution will not accept any new patients.Dr Allen has sought to reassure parents the hospital is confident of bringing the bacteria under control.”We have taken advice from special advisers elsewhere and they have supported the measures we are taking,” he said.”We’ll continue to take advice from other people and we will make decisions on a day-by-day basis as to how drastic the movements we make are to be.”Health Minister Bronwyn Pike says she is confident the hospital is handing the situation appropriately.”I’ve been working closely with Monash Medical Centre and I’m confident that the actions that they have taken are in line with world’s best practice on this matter,” she said.(Source: ABC Health News, April 2004)
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