C-Diff

This forum provides an opportunity for people to debate and discuss the latest current events; to talk about what's going on in the world today and discuss what's behind the news headlines.

Re: C-Diff

Postby ionnsaigh » Tue Aug 05, 2008 1:47 pm

Dear Cheryl Paris
I look forward to the publication of the report. Unfortunately I have other commitments on the day in question.
If Nicola would like to attend my place of residence, Thursday morning 11am - then I shall pass on her details to other family members - This will be an open meeting with the media in attendance.
Best wishes
Michael Donoghue
O'Donnchadha
User avatar
ionnsaigh
Forum Addict
Forum Addict
 
Posts: 3714
Joined: Thu Aug 03, 2006 8:31 am
Location: The Dear Green Place


Re: C-Diff

Postby ionnsaigh » Wed Aug 06, 2008 6:22 am

ANXIOUS family members of C-diff victims are hoping a report, due out this week, will uncover ‘the truth’ behind the outbreak.

The Independent Review Team, investigating the cause of the superbug crisis at the Vale of Leven Hospital, is set to outline its findings in the coming days.

Family members, united by the tragedy, are hopeful that an explanation for the spread of the potentially-fatal bug will be revealed.

The chairman of the C-diff Justice Group, who asked not to be named, say the families feel tense over the publication.

He told the Reporter: “Right now we are playing a wait and see game — the bereaved families feel in limbo as they wait for the findings.

“We are open-minded at this stage about what we expect from the review, but the bottom line as far as we are concerned is that if this does not give us satisfactory answers, then we will continue to pursue a public inquiry through legal channels.

“It will not bring our loved ones back, but it might help to prevent it happening to other families — that is why we are so anxious at this time.”

The justice group will meet with Nicola Sturgeon MSP, Health and Well-being secretary, on Thursday, where it will be able to see the findings of the Independent Review Team before they are publicly released.

Michelle Stewart, also of the justice group, told the Reporter: “Hopefully the truth will come out, the families deserve to know if anyone was at fault."

When the review was announced by Ms Sturgeon, it was to “identify the circumstances that led to the situation at the Vale of Leven Hospital”.

The review team consists of Professor Cairns Smith, from the public health department at Aberdeen University, Professor Mary Henry, nurse director of NHS National Services Scotland, and Doctor Gabby Phillips, an NHS Tayside consultant medical microbiologist.

The team has visited the Vale and conducted interviews with the families affected by the outbreak.

Fifty-five people have been treated for C-diff at the Vale of Leven Hospital since December 1, 2007. More than 20 of those have subsequently died.

The Reporter believes that nine have died as a direct result of contracting the infection, while nine have C-diff listed as a contributory factor to their death.

GGC declined to comment before the report’s release.

Meanwhile, Hospitalwatch chairman Jim Moohan, has urged staff from the Vale of Leven Hospital to attend a special meeting on Saturday August 16 at the Denny Civic Theatre in Dumbarton.

The gathering will allow all staff to hear from unions and campaigners, as well as voice their own opinion on the future of the Alexandria hospital.

It is hoped a clear message will be sent to health bosses at NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde health board (GGC) that staff are willing to fight for the future of their hospital.

Jim Moohan, Hospitalwatch chairman, told the Reporter staff must gather their own momentum.

He said: “The next consultation (unscheduled medical care) is the last one, so we are now entering into the most critical stage of the hospital’s future.

“After that the cabinet secretary will determine the hospital’s future.

“The community has done as much as it can, but the staff must gather their own momentum and send a clear message to the cabinet secretary to say we are willing to fight for our jobs, our livelihood and our hospital.

For the full story see this week's Reporter.

By Mike Farrell and Andrew Gibson

Published: Tuesday, 5th August, 2008 10:30
O'Donnchadha
User avatar
ionnsaigh
Forum Addict
Forum Addict
 
Posts: 3714
Joined: Thu Aug 03, 2006 8:31 am
Location: The Dear Green Place


Re: C-Diff

Postby ionnsaigh » Thu Aug 07, 2008 4:36 pm

Damning report blames Vale of Leven hospital for fatal C diff outbreak

Infection-control facilities at a hospital where Clostridium difficile was linked to 18 deaths were "inadequate", a report said today.

A total of 55 people were affected by the outbreak of C diff at the Vale of Leven Hospital in Alexandria, West Dunbartonshire.

The infection was the primary cause of death in nine patients, and was also a contributory factor in another nine.

In June, Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon announced an independent review into the C diff outbreak.

Today that independent review team made a series of recommendations.

The report said: "The facilities at the Vale of Leven Hospital were inadequate for effective patient isolation and infection control."
The report said a "major limitation" was the lack of appropriate isolation facilities at the Vale of Leven.

It added that the families of victims had reported that infection control measures, such as hand-washing and wearing protective clothing, were "inconsistently deployed" at the hospital.
Ms Sturgeon said the independent review made "disturbing reading".

She said: "With regard to the state of facilities and procedures at the Vale of Leven, let me be clear that the picture painted by the review team report is appalling and completely unacceptable.

"As the report makes clear, it is a picture of a hospital suffering the consequences of 10 years of uncertainty about its future."

She said she has apologised to families on behalf of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and expects the board to offer an apology to patients and families.

She said that, in response to calls for a public inquiry, she has passed the report to the Lord Advocate, who has asked the procurator fiscal for Argyll and Clyde to consider whether any further action should be taken.

She said: "A few years ago a relative of mine died in hospital after contracting C diff.

"In this instance I do have more of a personal insight into how they feel.

"I understand why they are calling for a public inquiry and I think that call deserves to be properly considered and that's why I'm taking the step of passing the report to the Lord Advocate because, in doing that, that will be properly considered in the context of the Lord Advocate deciding whether further action is necessary."

She called on NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde to give a clear commitment on the future of the hospital.

She said: "I am determined to ensure that that hospital does not continue to suffer death by a thousand cuts."

Referring to the Health Protection Scotland review of C diff cases in all hospitals in Scotland, she said the extent of C diff was still unacceptable.

She has published an action plan to tighten up infection control through measures such as a zero-tolerance approach to hand hygiene, new reporting obligations on all health boards and the extension of mandatory surveillance of C diff.

Professor Cairns Smith, the professor of public health at Aberdeen University, led the independent review team which investigated the outbreak.

They visited the hospital five times during July and, on one of these, walked round the wards affected by the outbreak.

Today's report said the death rate associated with C diff during the period was "higher than expected".

The review team added that further analysis of this was required - something which is now being carried out by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde and Health Protection Scotland.

Their report said patients were frequently transferred between wards at the hospital, and between other hospitals, during the outbreak, which ran from December last year to June this year.

It also claimed that uncertainty over the Vale of Leven's long-term future had led to a lack of investment in maintenance and upgrading work there.

And it said the hand-washing facilities at the hospital, the number of toilets and the spacing between beds were "inadequate".

The report added: "Despite the fact that the standard of cleaning appeared to be good most of the time, the general environment was shabby in appearance, giving the impression that it was not clean."

Patients who have been treated with some antibiotics are shown to be at greater risk of C diff.

But the independent review team said there was "no active monitoring of the implementation of antibiotic policies".

The report also highlighted issues with the organisation of infection control, stating "this appeared to have been complex and in the process of changeover".

And it claimed there was a "lack of leadership and supervision".

While staff at the hospital were seen using alcohol hand gel, the review team said: "There was an apparent lack of knowledge by some staff that soap and water, rather than alcohol gel, is required to prevent the spread of C difficile."

The report also claimed that relatives of those with C diff were given "mixed messages and inconsistent advice".

The review team said those relatives they had spoken to "were very clear that they should have been told the full facts about the infection".

But the report also highlighted work being done at the hospital to improve the situation.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde introduced a new surveillance system at the Vale of Leven in April this year, and a new antibiotic policy in June.

And a 20-week renovation programme, to bring the facilities up to a basic minimum standard for infection control, has now begun.

However the review team said "specific actions are recommended as a matter of urgency to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde".

They called for current infection-control policies and procedures to be reviewed, to ensure that the current best practice guidelines for the prevention and control of C diff are implemented.

The review team also recommended that "infection control roles, responsibilities, processes and committees must be aligned to clearly establish lines of professional and clinical responsibility".

They also said the process of communication with patients about infection-control issues needed to be improved.

And they added that the NHS board should develop a pre-planned maintenance programme for the the Vale of Leven, as well as reviewing the current isolation facilities.

They further called for an independent audit to be carried out at the end of the year, to see if the recommendations had been implemented.
Tom Divers, the chief executive of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, apologised to patients and families affected by the outbreak.

He said: "There are clearly lessons that have been learned and a clear need for me now, on behalf of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, to apologise to the families affected by C diff at the Vale of Leven Hospital."

Mr Divers said he recognised the concerns of relatives that they were not kept properly informed.

And he added: "I have instructed infection-control teams and senior managers to take action on these valid complaints."

Mr Divers also recognised that key areas which needed immediate attention were the poor standards of some facilities at the hospital, particularly access to hand-washing facilities.

He said he had already ordered immediate improvements, including improved hand-washing facilities and better bed spacing.

He highlighted the fact that the health board had already brought in a new surveillance system for infections.

And he explained: "This will enable doctors, nurses and infection-control teams to identify higher-than-normal levels of infections in any of the wards of Greater Glasgow and Clyde hospitals to take swift control measures to protect patients and the spread of any infection."

He also said action would be taken to "reinforce leadership, accountability and empowerment" at both ward and hospital level.

Mr Divers further pledged a full review of infection-control structures would be carried out, in line with the report recommendations.

He said: "This work will form part of our detailed action plan to ensure all the key recommendations made by the panel are fully addressed and monitored on a regular basis."

And he added that the families affected, as well as other patient representatives, would be invited to take part in this process.

Mr Divers said uncertainty over the future of the Vale of Leven had "undoubtedly been a factor in the lack of major modernisation investments".

However, he promised that the health board would bring forward proposals in August and September to "set out a clear vision for the future of the Vale of Leven site".

He concluded: "Recent months have been difficult for the families of patients. Local staff at the hospital have also been put under strain.

"The staff at the hospital are dedicated and caring professionals with only their patients' best interests at heart and the board and I will support them as we go forward."

Relatives of the patients who died in the outbreak have already pledged to take legal action against the health board.

Families of seven of the nine victims have announced they intend to pursue NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde through the courts.

One of the family members, whose mother-in-law died at the hospital, said the case was not about financial gain for anyone concerned. They are meeting today in Dumbarton to outline the grounds of their legal challenge.

A record number of pensioners are being diagnosed with the C diff bug in Scotland.

Figures show there were 1861 cases among the over-65s between January and March this year, up 16per cent from 1608 in the past three months of 2007.

Health professionals believe the rise could be linked to the changing seasons but warne it is too early to draw definite conclusions, as rates have been monitored for less than two years.

The cases at the Vale of Leven led to questions being asked in the Scottish Parliament and accusations that the Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon did not act quickly enough to tackle the outbreak.
O'Donnchadha
User avatar
ionnsaigh
Forum Addict
Forum Addict
 
Posts: 3714
Joined: Thu Aug 03, 2006 8:31 am
Location: The Dear Green Place


Re: C-Diff

Postby ionnsaigh » Fri Aug 08, 2008 10:19 am

The Independent Review Team, ( IRT ) sent a copy of a list of questions, to Greater Glasgow Clyde Health Board ( GGC ), which we would like answers to.

Here is a copy of an E-Mail I sent this morning to the review team investigating the outbreak.
George died after he contracted Clostdium Difficile ( C-diff ) virus

The death certificate makes no mention of this.

1. I thought there was a directive for all Doctors, to include C-diff if appropriate.
2. Where the doctors involved, experienced in C-diff deaths.
On the day George died, the infection control team issued a statement in relation to George's death.
" This patient was seriously ill from an unrelated condition and C. diff was not the main cause of death "
3. Had this prognosis been directly influenced by the doctors - who signed the certificate.
4. If so: How accurate is the prognosis - how can they tell.

We had twice requested, a second opinion by asking for a post mortem.
5. This was denied. Can we have a reason please.

The family have phoned the hospital for several weeks now - attempting to gain access to medical records.
So far this has been unsuccessful - After a number of calls - they now insist on my elderly mother writing, as
she is Next of Kin.


During George's stay in the Royal Alexandria ( Two weeks ) They decided to transfer him to the Vale.
He was heavily sedated - so much so that he remained comatose for Two days.
6. Why did they decide to move him to the vale - the outbreak was common knowledge by then.
7. Why did they need to sedate him.
8. What was the sedation.
9. What was the dosage.
10.Why was this procedure deemed necessary.

Communication with the hospital has so far been - a quick word in the corridor by passing nurses.
11. We have never seen a doctor.
The first we heard of C-diff was after George died.
12. How long was he being treated for the virus.
. We where informed again by nursing staff - that George had picked up a wee infection and it was MRSA.
13. Why where we given wrong information.

These are some of the questions that as yet - we don't have answers for.
We hope your inquiry sheds light on these.
Michael Donoghue.
iom-chuartachadh

This list was put to the board last month - I contacted the board last week - in order to see how both things where progressing - and up the anti - by turning up the gas. They called me back saying that they would reply soon. I don't think I will hold my breath.
It is worth noting that in yesterdays damming report - The IRT thanked the GGC for their prompt replies to the questions that surfaced during the review. I reckon that our questions will take slightly longer. I will give them another week to get back, if as I fear they wont, I will contact N Sturgeon who mailed yesterday expressing her apologies. :D
O'Donnchadha
User avatar
ionnsaigh
Forum Addict
Forum Addict
 
Posts: 3714
Joined: Thu Aug 03, 2006 8:31 am
Location: The Dear Green Place


Re: C-Diff

Postby ionnsaigh » Thu Sep 18, 2008 10:11 am

Health Board issue statement " This patient at no time contracted C-diff.
Completely contradicting, what two of my brothers where told by nursing staff, on the morning George died.
My youngest Brother Stephen 40, suffers a heart attack on Saturday night - he has emergency surgery . Seems to be recovering in Royal Infirmary. (Stress related )?.
O'Donnchadha
User avatar
ionnsaigh
Forum Addict
Forum Addict
 
Posts: 3714
Joined: Thu Aug 03, 2006 8:31 am
Location: The Dear Green Place


Re: C-Diff

Postby Govangirl » Thu Sep 18, 2008 12:34 pm

So sorry to hear that Mick. Your family has really been put through a lot lately. I hope he recovers soon, xx
Blow away the dreams that tear you apart
Blow away the dreams that break your heart
Blow away the lies that leave you nothing but lost and brokenhearted
User avatar
Govangirl
Forum Addict
Forum Addict
 
Posts: 3433
Joined: Wed Mar 26, 2008 2:02 pm
Location: Sassenachland


Re: C-Diff

Postby Bobbie En Tejas » Fri Sep 19, 2008 2:55 am

Ionns.. so sorry to hear about this. All the best.
Some people die at 21 but aren't buried until they are 65.
User avatar
Bobbie En Tejas
Forum Addict
Forum Addict
 
Posts: 3535
Joined: Mon Oct 17, 2005 1:55 am
Location: Southwest of Campbeltown


Re: C-Diff

Postby ionnsaigh » Fri Sep 19, 2008 12:28 pm

I fear this thread has become insular and personal.
However why don't we have a general health section. We could discuss various health concerns, seek support ,advice.
O'Donnchadha
User avatar
ionnsaigh
Forum Addict
Forum Addict
 
Posts: 3714
Joined: Thu Aug 03, 2006 8:31 am
Location: The Dear Green Place


Re: C-Diff

Postby EMDEE » Sun Sep 21, 2008 1:05 am

I would certainly agree with you there Mick, health provision is of utmost importance, and if it is not delivered, we should be asking serious questions.
Merda taurorum animas conturbit. Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum videtur
User avatar
EMDEE
Forum Addict
Forum Addict
 
Posts: 1932
Joined: Wed Sep 20, 2006 10:55 am
Location: Up the Rodd


Re: C-Diff

Postby ionnsaigh » Sun Sep 21, 2008 10:02 am

Lets hope admin give this some consideration - as most people worry - unnecessary - at times on matters relating to health.
I wonder if posters with certain worries, could post anonymously?.
O'Donnchadha
User avatar
ionnsaigh
Forum Addict
Forum Addict
 
Posts: 3714
Joined: Thu Aug 03, 2006 8:31 am
Location: The Dear Green Place


Previous

Return to Current Affairs

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 15 guests