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Brockville General Hospital |
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News Release |
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NEWS RELEASE
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 25, 2010 BGH continues “business as usual” during current VRE outbreak. Brockville General Hospital is presently dealing with a recent outbreak of Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci (VRE) and wants area residents to know it is business as usual for hospital visitors. VRE is a bacterial strain that can be found in the bowel of humans, and is resistant to the antibiotic vancomycin. VRE is usually spread by direct contact with hands, surfaces or medical equipment that has been contaminated. VRE is not spread through the air by coughing or sneezing. People who have VRE frequently do not have symptoms and do not usually need treatment. Hospital infection control was informed last week that the number of hospital acquired (nosocomial) VRE had increased on March 15, 2010. Dr. Dick Zoutman, Regional Infection Control Network Medical Coordinator, made several recommendations which were put into place immediately. The number of nosocomial VRE as of March 20 was eight cases, four of whom are currently hospitalized. Susan Pugh, Lab Manager, is very pleased with the rapid and efficient response by staff to the outbreak. “Our people coordinated easily and worked quickly to manage the situation,” says Pugh. “That’s good to see in these cases as it makes all the difference.” Visiting hours remain the same, as do the visiting practices. Visitors are asked to observe the following policies which are regular visiting procedure: · Please stay home if you are not feeling well, or if your immune system is compromised. · Perform hand hygiene (clean your hands) frequently when in hospital, especially when entering or leaving the building. · If you are visiting a patient in isolation, please wear protective equipment as posted on the isolation sign. For additional information on VRE, please contact the South Eastern Ontario Regional Infection Control Network at http://www.ricn.on.ca/southeasternhomec11.php or contact Leeds, Grenville & Lanark District Health Unit at http://www.healthunit.org.
For more information, please contact:
Maggie Wheeler Healthy people – Outstanding Care
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