OBSERVER ONLINE has been reliably informed that patients at the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) have been infected with a strain of multi-drug resistant bacteria over the past week.
A source close to the situation said the hospital does not have enough of the drugs that are needed to treat the infection, and that two of three infected patients remain seriously ill.
The medical source told OBSERVER ONLINE that the Health Ministry “should be aware as of yesterday (Tuesday)”.
The source said medical staff is trying to control the spread of the germ, acinetobacter, using techniques such as barrier nursing, and proper hygienic practices.
There is fear that the germ could spread. According to the source, up to Monday of this week, one of the patients was on a general ward with other uninfected patients.
Acinetobacter is a major cause of healthcare-associated infections, especially in the intensive care settings. It is usually resistant to multiple antimicrobial agents causing infections, including pneumonia, meningitis, and central venous catheter-related infection, among other complications.
The South East Regional Health Authority (SERHA) told OBSERVER ONLINE a short while ago that a press release on the matter would be issued soon.
The revelation comes amidst public outcry over the deaths of 19 babies from hospital-acquired infectios (klebsiella and serratia) at the University Hospital of the West Indies and the Cornwall Regional Hospital, since June of this year. There have been calls for the Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson to resign over the issue.
The Medical units at KPH do not have rooms to isolate patients that needs to go on contact isolation.What i do know is that they have these little portable screen which they used back then,for now i don’t know. It is highly difficult for them to contain such bacteria with minimal supplies and other resources.Although handwashing is very important to minimize infection. How many workers /visitors/patient adhere to this policy.Education is the key however with Jamaica present situation who want to be told handwashing save lives.Tell them how to scam,cellphone,pretty car,food and hypeness.For KPH to maintain such,they have to transfer the patient to the units that have single rooms and place the patient in there.That room has to be terminally clean before pt place in room also after pt is better and discharge to home. KPH administrator can ask the USA for some of the present Antibiotics they used to treat this bacteria, instead of leaving the people to die.It’s heart aching.The amount of supplies that is waste in America, Jamaica would do well with some of these.Can you imagine when a patient admit in a hospital in America and they get this Admission package which include a tub for you to wash up,tooth paste,shampoo,lotion,mouthwash,comb,soap,water pitcher,cup,kidney dish,washcloth and a box of tissue.Most time your bed change everyday.Everybody has their own blood pressure cuff.Some of these Ministry of this and that needs to go out and start begging things to make the country better.