C Diff Linked To Drogheda Deaths

The Health Service Executive (HSE) has notified Louth Country Coroner of four patient patients at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda.

In a statement released today by the HSE, Clostridium Difficile is being suspected as the cause, with the hospital agreeing to notify coroner of all deaths since the outbreak of the bacteria.

A spokesperson for Lady of Lourdes Hospital said strenuous steps were being taken within the hospital to ensure that the infection is being properly managed, and that "intense cleaning is continuing at the hospital".

"All staff at the hospital are being reminded of the necessity to observe good hand hygiene. We are also inviting patients to ask their healthcare workers if they have cleaned their hands before treating them," the spokesperson said.

There are now 12 confirmed cases of C Diff in the hospital, with another 20 patients showing signs of infection.

Up to 70 hospital beds are closed due to the outbreak while restrictions at the hospital are still in place with many patients being sent to other hospitals in the region and in Dublin.

There are also restrictions in place for visitors to the hospital.

The hospital said patients may experience delays in the Emergency Department and that due to the number of beds closed to new admissions there are delays in patients awaiting admission.

Only an inquest will be able to say if C Diff was a factor in the patients' deaths.

All non-emergency procedures have been cancelled, although out-patient clinics are proceeding as normal.

(DW/BMcC)