Bacteria traced to hospital drain

Press, 6 May 1983, Page 1

Bacteria traced to hospital drain

Doctors believe they have eradicated the source of a bacterial infection among babies in the neo-natal unit at Christchurch Women’s Hospital. . k One baby was Severely affected by the bacteria, pseudomonas, and others to a lesser degree during recent weeks. Premature babies are particularly vulnerable to the sometimes fatal infection.

Pseudomonas, however, is more commonly associated with burns, urinary tract infections, and skin infections picked up from spa pools. Christchurch Hospital pathologists called in to investigate the outbreak, believe that a hospital drain outside the unit was the source of the bacteria. They have investigated other cases of pseudomonas among patients several times in the past. ;

The medical superintendent of Christchurch Women’s Hospital, Mr Hamish McCrostie, was not prepared to say if any babies had died.

“Publicity only causes alarm and despondency among people who have a premature baby,” he said.

Organisms such as pseudomonas “floated round” any hospital. The bacteria were a secondary type of infection usually found in adults with low resistance but posed a potential threat in neo-natal units throughout the world. “There are a number of steps we are taking to make sure we won’t get it again, but we will get it again,” he said. The head of the neo-natal unit, Dr R. A. Johnson, said more than one baby had been infected by the bacteria which were found anywhere there was water.