03/11/2009

C Diff Hits Drogheda Hospital

Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda has been hit by an outbreak of the C Diff bacteria, leading to a number of services being suspended.

The outbreak of Clostridium Difficile (C Diff) has meant a number of hospital beds have been closed as a clean-up team tackles the bacteria.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has since released a statement saying there had been a number of confirmed cases to date and that "Infection Control Procedures" have been implemented at the hospital.

The public are asked not to visit the hospital at this time: "If a visit is essential or unavoidable the public are asked to telephone the hospital in advance to make arrangements, also all elective admissions, including elective scopes are cancelled until further notice," the HSE said.

Ten cases of infection have so far been confirmed and results on two other patients are being awaited.

Most ambulance and GP referrals are being sent to other hospitals around the region.

(DW/BMcC)

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