Hospital cleaning stepped up after bug linked to 17 deaths

Published on Saturday 31 March 2007 12:10

A HOSPITAL said it had intensified its cleaning regime after a virulent stomach bug was linked to the deaths of 17 elderly patients over a four-month period.

Medics said another 16 patients at the James Paget University Hospital in Gorleston, Norfolk, had been treated for the 027 strain of Clostridium Difficile - commonly known as C Diff.

Senior staff said the bug - which initially causes diarrhoea - was a "major concern".

Nick Coveney, director of nursing at the hospital, said since December, 17 patients had experienced complications from C Diff that had "contributed to their death".

Another five patients had undergone major bowel surgery after being struck down by the bug, while 11 more were being treated at the hospital.

The vast majority of victims were over 65, staff said.

Mr Coveney said a "wide-ranging infection control programme" was in place.

"C Diff is causing us major concern at the moment," he added.

"This strain of C Diff is much more virulent than any strain we have experienced previously."

Mr Coveney said doctors had issued detailed advice to people visiting the hospital.