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11/04/2008
Harney Was Warned Over Superbug Dangers
An Irish newspaper has revealed the minister for health had been previously warned about a superbug, which claimed 15 lives.
It was reported that consultant Terry Hennessy wrote to the Health Minister Mary Harney in April 2005. The consultant warned her about overcrowding at Ennis General Hospital, saying occupancy levels were reaching 120% - a level that would leave patients at risk of cross-infection.
A report into the proliferation of Clostridium difficle (C-diff) by the HSE published on Thursday revealed how major weaknesses in the care of patients at the hospital meant they were particularly vulnerable to infection.
The female medical ward where 22 patients were infected had occupancy levels of between almost 100% and 106% during the period of the outbreak.
Over 40 patients were infected by the bug while receiving treatment in the hospital, roughly half of which are now dead.
The outbreak took place Ennis Hospital in Co Clare last year and caused a storm of controversy over the spread of the deadly bug.
The report was commissioned following the 15 deaths in the hospital during the outbreak in the first six months of 2007.
C-diff was found in the bodies of all patients.
The bug is well known to the medical industry and has a habit of turning up in Hospitals. The bug has appeared as far a field as Canada, Atlanta, the UK and Holland.
(DW/JM)
It was reported that consultant Terry Hennessy wrote to the Health Minister Mary Harney in April 2005. The consultant warned her about overcrowding at Ennis General Hospital, saying occupancy levels were reaching 120% - a level that would leave patients at risk of cross-infection.
A report into the proliferation of Clostridium difficle (C-diff) by the HSE published on Thursday revealed how major weaknesses in the care of patients at the hospital meant they were particularly vulnerable to infection.
The female medical ward where 22 patients were infected had occupancy levels of between almost 100% and 106% during the period of the outbreak.
Over 40 patients were infected by the bug while receiving treatment in the hospital, roughly half of which are now dead.
The outbreak took place Ennis Hospital in Co Clare last year and caused a storm of controversy over the spread of the deadly bug.
The report was commissioned following the 15 deaths in the hospital during the outbreak in the first six months of 2007.
C-diff was found in the bodies of all patients.
The bug is well known to the medical industry and has a habit of turning up in Hospitals. The bug has appeared as far a field as Canada, Atlanta, the UK and Holland.
(DW/JM)
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