Taps Linked To Maternity Hospital Infection

A killer infection which killed three babies at the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital has been traced to taps, according to NI Health Minister.

All the taps and connected pipe work in the room are to be removed as experts try to eradicate all traces of the pseudomonas bacteria according to Mr Edwin Poots.

Mr Poots said: "I can report that investigations so far have shown that pseudomonas bacteria have been found in a number of taps in the intensive care area of the neonatal unit in the RJMH. The Trust Health Estates team are in the process of removing and replacing all taps and related pipework in the affected area. There is no evidence of pseudomonas in the water system. This indicates that it is likely to be a localised problem."

An outbreak of a different strain of pseudomonas in Londonderry's Altnagelvin hospital last month, which claimed the life of one baby, was also linked to the water system in its neo-natal facilities.

Mr Poots said special ultraviolet technology may be installed in the region's hospitals in a bid to prevent further outbreaks. He also revealed the incident in Altnagelvin prompted health chiefs to write to all trusts in Northern Ireland reminding them of the infection risks posed by water systems.

The minister said the baby with suspected pseudomonas had been struck down with pneumonia.

Mr Poots said six other babies were found to be carrying traces of the bacteria, for example on their skin, but had shown no signs they had contracted the infection.

Mr Poots concluded: "My priority at present is to manage the outbreak, however it is vital to learn lessons from this situation so that we can reduce the risk of this happening again. In the longer term, RQIA is currently considering the most effective way to approach inspections in intensive care settings such as neonatal units."

(CD)