Eighth C diff infection is confirmed at Raigmore

Published on Saturday 28 January 2012 02:19

An eighth patient has contracted Clostridium difficile in an outbreak of the infection at a Highland hospital.

The region’s health board said a new case of C diff had beenconfirmed yesterday. Seven patients have already contracted the bug at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness in the past month.

One ward with four patients remains closed to new admissions or transfers.

NHS Highland said three of the patients have symptoms and one has been symptom-free for three days.

Three other patients have been discharged. One person, who was admitted as an emergency and was seriously ill, died shortly after admission from an existing medical condition. The board said the deceased had contracted the infection outwith the hospital.

C diff is a bacterium that causes diarrhoea and high temperatures. It can be spread by poor hygiene and through spores in faeces.

It particularly affects patients on strong antibiotics, making it a serious problem for hospitals as many patients may already be sick, making them more susceptible to the infection.

Dr Emma Watson, lead infection, prevention, and control doctor for NHS Highland, said: “We are continuing to monitor the situation very closely and are taking all necessary actions.

“We believe the recent patient was most likely infected before the outbreak was declared.

“I would like to reiterate that the risks to healthy patients, visitors and staff are minimal.”

NHS Highland said the number of cases confirmed in January was “higher than would be expected”.

Compliance with hand-hygiene by staff and visitors has been stepped up and the frequency of routine cleaning increased. NHS Highland advised that recent inpatients concerned about symptoms such as diarrhoea, should contact the NHS24 helpline or their own doctor for advice.