THE bug responsible for the deaths of four babies in Northern Ireland has been found in the maternity unit of a third hospital – the Ulster in Dundonald.
Separate outbreaks of the pseudomonas bacteria claimed the life of one infant in Altnagelvin in Londonderry last month, plus three babies in the neonatal unit at Belfast’s Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital (RJMH) in recent weeks.
After the presence of the bacteria in taps forced a refit of both units, officials revealed on Saturday night that pseudomonas was detected in water outlets in the neonatal intensive care unit at the Ulster Hospital outside Belfast.
In a statement, health chiefs said: “All babies in the unit have been tested and the results indicate that no baby has tested positive for pseudomonas.
“Babies will continue to be screened on an ongoing basis. Parents of babies in the unit have been informed of the position.”
Staff in hospitals have been told to avoid using tap water with babies, while tests on water outlets and necessary refits are carried out.
The health service update on the outbreaks said: “According to the latest figures, there are no new cases of pseudomonas infection at the Royal Jubilee Maternity Hospital’s (RJMH) neonatal unit, so the overall total who have been infected in this outbreak remains at seven.
“It was also confirmed yesterday (Friday) that the number of babies who have the pseudomonas bacteria on their skin associated with the RJMH outbreak remains unchanged at seven.
“It is not causing active infection in these babies.”
It said all necessary precautions are being taken to avoid the spread of infection.
A spokeswoman for the department of health said last night that out of seven babies which were actively infected at the RJMH, three died, one recovered but died from another condition, two others recovered and one is still being treated. Three babies were infected at the Altnagelvin Hospital in Londonderry, one of which died and two of which recovered.
The South Eastern Trust revealed that it had received the results indicating the presence of pseudomonas at the Ulster Hospital on Saturday night. All babies in the unit have been checked and the results indicate that no baby has tested positive for pseudomonas, a trust statement said.
It said: “A carefully planned programme is under way to ensure that all appropriate control measures are in place across all trusts to minimise the risk of pseudomonas.
“An ongoing programme of testing water and replacement of taps in neonatal intensive care units in all trusts has commenced and will be completed as soon as possible. Until this programme has been completed, tap water will not be used directly with the babies.
“All staff will continue to use alcohol hand gel following hand-washing. It is important also that the public continues to follow good hygiene practice when visiting hospitals.”
Also in the statement, the trust said the Department of Health issued further guidance to health trusts on dealing with pseudomonas in neonatal units. The interim guidance, developed in conjunction with the Health Protection Agency and the Public Health Agency, provides advice on testing for pseudomonas and best practice for dealing with it and reinforcing guidance issued in previous communications.
As a precautionary measure, babies’ skin may be screened again as the situation requires to see if they are carrying the bacteria, the trust said.
The trust said: “All necessary precautions are being taken to avoid spread of infection. All other maternity services and wards in the Royal Jubilee Hospital are fully operational and working as normal.
“Expectant mothers should attend their appointments as scheduled. The neonatal network continues to manage well.”