Canadian Press
<!-- dateline -->ST-HYACINTHE, Que.<!-- /dateline --> ? The C. difficile bacteria has claimed an 11th life at the same hospital, the institution said Tuesday.
The Honore-Mercier Hospital in St-Hyacinthe, east of Montreal, confirmed that 31 patients have been infected since July.
An internal report prepared for the hospital cited poor hygiene for the outbreak.
The report by an official responsible for disease control noted inadequate disinfection measures, including one bed that was used by three infected patients who died.
The hospital said no new cases of infection have been reported since it began a disinfection program required by the provincial Health Department.
Health Minister Philippe Couillard said the number of cases at the hospital reinforces the need for vigilance and appropriate precautions.
Mr. Couillard said the infection rate across the province has decreased by 40 per cent since 2004.
?It's not because we greatly improved the situation that the problem can be considered under control in local establishments and regions.?
He said the government-mandated measures put in place across the province should remain a permanent component of the health-care system.
?By definition, the problem of hospital infections is a persistent problem that will always remain part of the health system,? Mr. Couillard said.
?We must never let our guard down.?
C. difficile is commonly found in older hospital patients taking antibiotics and is transmitted by physical contact with the bacteria.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl.../National/home
<!-- dateline -->ST-HYACINTHE, Que.<!-- /dateline --> ? The C. difficile bacteria has claimed an 11th life at the same hospital, the institution said Tuesday.
The Honore-Mercier Hospital in St-Hyacinthe, east of Montreal, confirmed that 31 patients have been infected since July.
An internal report prepared for the hospital cited poor hygiene for the outbreak.
The report by an official responsible for disease control noted inadequate disinfection measures, including one bed that was used by three infected patients who died.
The hospital said no new cases of infection have been reported since it began a disinfection program required by the provincial Health Department.
Health Minister Philippe Couillard said the number of cases at the hospital reinforces the need for vigilance and appropriate precautions.
Mr. Couillard said the infection rate across the province has decreased by 40 per cent since 2004.
?It's not because we greatly improved the situation that the problem can be considered under control in local establishments and regions.?
He said the government-mandated measures put in place across the province should remain a permanent component of the health-care system.
?By definition, the problem of hospital infections is a persistent problem that will always remain part of the health system,? Mr. Couillard said.
?We must never let our guard down.?
C. difficile is commonly found in older hospital patients taking antibiotics and is transmitted by physical contact with the bacteria.
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servl.../National/home
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