NJ: Acinetobacter baumannii outbreak in a neonatal intensive care unit

[Shiloh]

Source: http://nj1015.com/another-deadly-outbreak-at-2nd-health-facility-in-nj/

Another deadly outbreak at 2nd health facility in NJ
Adam Hochron
October 25, 2018

NEWARK ? State health officials are investigating a bacterial outbreak at University Hospital, marking the second fatal outbreak involving child patients this month at a health facility in the state.

The New Jersey Department of Health learned about cases of acinetobacter baumannii on Oct. 1. For the past three weeks, two teams from the health department have been investigating, revealing "major infection control deficiencies." Four patients in the neonatal intensive care unit have developed infections...

 

[Shiloh]

Source: https://patch.com/new-jersey/newarknj/nj-officials-probe-3-baby-deaths-newark-hospital-sees-outbreak

3 Babies Die After Bacterial Outbreak At Newark Hospital: DOH
Newark Mayor: "An overhaul of the quality of care and the leadership of University Hospital is urgently needed."
By Eric Kiefer, Patch Staff | Nov 27, 2018 1:00 pm ET | Updated Nov 27, 2018 2:52 pm ET

NEWARK, NJ ? A pair of premature infants died last week after contracting a bacterial infection in the neonatal intensive care unit of University Hospital in Newark. A third baby passed away last month after catching the same bacteria at the hospital, state health officials announced Tuesday.

Due to other medical conditions related to being born premature, the bacterial infection may not have been the cause of death, New Jersey Department of Health (DOH) officials said.

Despite the unclear role of the bacteria in the infants' deaths, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka issued a scathing statement on Tuesday, calling the fatalities "stark reminders that an overhaul of the quality of care and the leadership of the hospital is urgently needed." (Read Baraka's full statement below)

The bacteria, A. baumannii, causes a variety of diseases ranging from pneumonia to serious blood or wound infections. Symptoms vary and usually pose "very little risk to healthy people," but people who have weakened immune systems, chronic lung disease or diabetes may be vulnerable, according to the CDC...