Testing shows no cross infection on neonatal unit

Routine water testing in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) identified higher than normal levels of a bacteria called Pseudomonas last week.

Clinical testing showed that three babies were colonised with Pseudomonas bacteria, but none of the babies are showing any clinical signs of Pseudomonal infection.

The hospital is carrying out further testing of the Pseudomonas samples from the three colonised babies and from the water, to get a better understanding of whether there are any links between these, and this testing is ongoing.

The results of the samples from the three colonised babies show that these are all different strains. This confirms that there has been no cross-infection between these babies which gives us assurance that our infection control processes on NICU are working well. No baby has become unwell as a result of the Pseudomonas we have found.

The team in NICU has spoken again individually with parents who have babies in the unit to update them on the test results to date.

As a precaution we have replaced the flexible hoses in all the basins from which the affected samples were taken. For the time being we will continue to use sterile water until the testing process has restored our confidence in the water quality.

In a letter to parents, Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital Chief Executive Anna Dugdale said:

“I should like to apologise for the additional anxiety that I know this event may have caused you at an already stressful time. As an organisation we are committed to being open with our patients and their families working on the basis that the trust we hope to build with you is an essential component of excellent care.

“Thank you for your understanding and we will continue to keep you informed as more information becomes available.”


Ends

Notes to Editors:

1. The text of the letter to parents form Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital Chief Executive Anna Dugdale, is as follows:

I am writing to you personally to provide you with an update on the information we gave you last week with regard to the higher than normal level of pseudomonas we found during our routine water testing.

As you know we have been doing further testing of the pseudomonas samples from the three colonised babies and from the water to get a better understanding of whether there are any links between these the testing is ongoing. We have received the results of the samples from the three colonised babies and these are all different strains. This confirms that there has been no cross infection between these babies which gives us assurance that our infection control processes on NICU are working well. No baby has become unwell as a result of the pseudomonas we have found.

As a precaution we have replaced the flexible hoses in all the basins from which the affected water samples were taken. For the time being we will continue to use sterile water until the testing process has restored our confidence in the water quality.

Lastly, I should like to apologise for the additional anxiety that I know this event may have caused you at an already stressful time. As an organisation we are committed to being open with our patients and their families working on the basis that the trust we hope to build with you is an essential component of excellent care. Thank you for your understanding and we will continue to keep you informed as more information becomes available.