C Diff cases close hospital ward

Highland Correspondent

Saturday 22 September 2012

Three cases of Clostridium Difficile (C Diff) have caused a cancer ward to be closed in the biggest hospital in the Highlands.

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David Ross Highland Correspondent

The incident affects Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, which suffered an outbreak of the bug with eight cases in January.

The health board said the latest cases are different and one of the three patients had already left hospital.

Dr Emma Watson, lead infection control doctor for NHS Highland, said it was normal for there to be C Diff cases in any hospital.She said: "The issue is where we have several cases and they can be clearly linked to a common source in the hospital. In this case there is no clear connection between any of the affected patients so this is not an outbreak."We have noticed a higher number of cases (three) than we would expect within one ward and as a result have implemented standard infection control precautions. "This has included closing the ward to new admissions to allow enhanced cleaning to take place and to minimise any risk of spreading infection."The two affected patients who are still in hospital are well and in isolation, as is normal practice."Last month a report from the Healthcare Environment Inspectorate, described standards of cleanliness in wards as "poor".The hospital said that immediate action had been taken and an action plan put in place.

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C Diff cases close hospital ward

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