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Questions remain over 16 deaths at Southside hospital

Thursday, 08 May 2008

Serious questions are being raised following the deaths of 16 people from infections at St Columcille’s Hospital, Loughlinstown.
Staff at the hospital had repeatedly called for a consultant microbiologist to be available to determine whether the infections were received in the hospital or before patients arrived.
There are currently 80 hospital related infections a day recorded in Irish hospitals affecting almost one in every 20 people admitted - a shocking 30,000 people a year.
Concerns over the hospital deaths and the absence of a microbiologist were raised in the Dail by the Labour TD for Dun Laoghaire, Eamon Gilmore.
“The solution has been there for some time, as far back as 2005, when the first request for a consultant microbiologist was made,” he stated.
Staff at Loughlinstown first called for the consultant to be appointed three years ago and the request was repeatedly supported by the county coroner who had the task of examining the deaths.
“I have two specific questions,” Deputy Gilmore added. “Firstly, why wasn’t a consultant microbiologist appointed to Loughlinstown over the last three years, and secondly when are we going to get one?
“There are people out there who have relatives being admitted to that hospital, or who are being admitted themselves, and that’s what they want to know.”
Consultant microbiology advice is currently only available to the hospital on request from St Vincent’s University Hospital.
In a statement the hospital outlined how it intended to deal with the spate of infections and create a new role for a consultant.
The hospital said funds had been earmarked to create a consultancy position in conjunction with St Vincent’s while staff were reviewing infection control procedures to identify what measures could be taken to prevent further infection.
“There has been and remains in place at all times the facility for consultants treating patients in St Columcille's Hospital to contact consultant microbiologists in St Vincent's University Hospital for advice,” the hospital spokesman said.
“There are hygiene stations at every entrance and in all patient areas. There are clinical sinks in all patient areas.”
The post of consultant microbiologist shared between St Vincent's University Hospital and St Columcille's Hospital will be advertised shortly, the spokesman added.

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