Thursday 29 October 2009

HORNSBY HOSPITAL STRUGGLING TO COPE: SOME 22 SUPERBUG PATIENTS, ONLY 2 ISOLATION ROOMS

Hornsby Hospital staff are struggling under the weight of up to 22 patients infected with superbug MRSA with only two dedicated isolation rooms, in a further display the NSW health system is on the brink, Shadow Minister for Health Jillian Skinner said today.

Medical professionals have revealed there are up to 22 MRSA cases, 2 VRE cases, many cases of gastroenteritis and several other immune deficient patients currently in Hornsby Hospital, and that staff are being run off their feet trying to manage with just one positive pressure room and one other single room for isolation purposes.

“Hospital acquired infections are a sign of a hospital under stress and Carmel Tebbutt’s plan to cut 1,000 nurses from the state’s health facilities will only worsen the problem,” Mrs Skinner said.

“Under Carmel Tebbutt and Labor these cases remain a secret until concerned health workers speak out,” she said.

“I will make tackling hospital acquired infections a priority for a NSW Liberal & Nationals Government.

“Transparency in reporting hospital acquired infection is imperative in driving improvement.

“That is why the NSW Liberals & Nationals have committed to publishing hospital acquired infection rates at ward level.

“Our approach will help indicate where greater emphasis needs to be placed on infection control resources and activities.

“It will also give patients access to essential information before they go to hospital to have elective surgery.

“Comprehensive treatment information at unit or ward level can be used to improve models of care and achieve better patient outcomes.

“The incompetent State Labor Government has had 14 years to get this right, but has failed to do so time and time again,” Mrs Skinner said.