Altnagelvin Hospital has revealed it currently has four patients who have tested positive for the superbug C Diff - however, none of them have the deadly strain of the infection.
In a statement to the ‘Journal’, a hospital spokesperson said all four patients were in different wards and receiving "appropriate treatment."
He said: "Given the number of patients treated at Altnagelvin Area Hospital, it would be anticipated tha
t there could be some patients in the hospital at any given time who would have tested positive for C Difficile. These would include patients who may have had the infection prior to admission to hospital as well as those considered to have acquired the infection since admission.
"There is no evidence to date of patients who have been treated for C. diff in Western Trust Hospitals having the more virulent form Clostridium Difficile 027."
He added that the hospital would remain vigilant in tackling healthcare associated infections.
"In relation to Clostridium Difficile, action taken when patients are identified with the infection includes administering appropriate treatment for the patients in isolation or in cohort bays, which is in keeping with nationally agreed infection prevention and control measures. The Trust would wish to reassure the public that appropriate infection control measures are put in place for all patients identified with C diff," he said.
Infection control
Members of the public have been asked to adhere to standard infection control measures at the hospital by washing their hands before and after visiting, avoiding visiting if they are feeling unwell, and refraining from bringing small children to visit.
Visitors are also requested to visit only one patient whilst at the hospital and not to move among patients and from ward to ward when visiting.
The full article contains 297 words and appears in Journal Friday DER Edition newspaper.
