Raigmore hospital latest on superbug outbreak

Bosses at the Highland’s biggest and busiest hospital have given the lastest situation on the outbreak of Clostridium difficile.

They have reported no new cases today and the infection remains contained in two wards - Ward 4C and Ward 3A.

There are four patients still in the hospital who have been confirmed with the superbug.

Ward 4C remains closed to new admissions or transfers.

Any patient requiring a surgical admission will be admitted to one of the other surgical wards. Ward 3A remains open.

A hospital spokeswoman said: "Due to the additional pressure on beds with having a ward closed to new admissions and transfers, we have been taking the precautionary step of reviewing all patients who are due to come in for a planned operation.

"No further patients have had their operations postponed today."

The outbreak of Clostridium difficile was confirmed on Thursday (January 19) with five cases across two wards.

There have been a total of seven cases in the outbreak, and in total the hospital has seen nine cases of Clostridium difficile this month.

The spokeswoman said: "Strategic meetings are being held regularly to oversee the situation. These will continue until the situation is fully resolved.

"NHS Highland has advised that any member of the public who has recently been an inpatient in Raigmore Hospital and is concerned about symptoms of diahorrea should contact NHS24 or their GP in the first instance."

Bosses have said measures being taken to tackle the outbreak include:

• Closure of an affected ward (4c) to eliminate the risk of cross infection to newly admitted patients and to allow specialist cleaning to happen.

• Isolation of symptomatic patients.

• Increased frequency of routine cleaning.

• Ongoing intensive surveillance across the hospital.

• Limiting the use of broad spectrum antibiotics.

• Scrupulous compliance with hand-hygiene by staff and visitors to reduce the risk of spread in the hospital environment.

• Heightened awareness of control measures among staff, patients and visitors.

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