C diff outbreak in Drogheda hospital

[Posted: Tue 03/11/2009 by Joanne McCarthy]

Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda has shut its doors to new patients and visitors after an outbreak of the hospital superbug, Clostridium difficile (C diff).

Three wards have also been closed at the hospital following the outbreak. So far, ten cases have been confirmed and results on two other patients are awaited. Nine other patients have been given the all clear.

As a result of the outbreak, all elective admissions, including elective examinations, have been suspended. Most ambulance and GP referrals are being sent to other hospitals around the region.

The HSE has asked people not to visit the hospital.

“If a visit is essential or unavoidable, the public are asked to telephone the hospital in advance to make arrangements," it said. "Also, all elective admissions, including elective scopes, are cancelled until further notice."

C diff is bacteria found in the intestines. It is normally present and does not cause problems in healthy people but it can multiply out of control, especially in people being treated with antibiotics.

C diff is highly contagious but can be prevented with good hygiene. Symptoms include diarrhoea and fever. Most people make a full recovery, but in rare cases it can be fatal.

anony  Posted: 03/11/2009 14:00

This has been waiting to happen. I thought this was a 'Centre of Excellence'?

nk1  Posted: 03/11/2009 21:10

Is this the same hospital that has taken over the care of many of  the former Monaghan patients?  Is this what we must look forward to when all of the services are removed from Nenagh General Hospital and Ennis and every patient that moves is shifted into the Regional Hospital in Limerick.? Brendan, and Mary are you watching this space............??????????????

anony  Posted: 04/11/2009 14:24

Yep nk1, this is where all Monaghan trauma and major surgical patients are supposed to go, together with their children and pregnant mothers. There are two hospitals for Monaghan people - Drogheda and Cavan. Cavan has over 20 on trolleys each day, Drogheda is half closed and gets poor ratings every month in Rate Your Hospital on this site, has endless bad press, Cavan too has been in the press for the wrong reasons, and this, according to HSE and Government is a better service than was in Monaghan, which had one of the top medical units in this country.

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