THE HEALTH Service Executive (HSE) is investigating whether a new case of the superbug Clostridium difficile (C Diff) in a hospital in Navan is linked to an earlier outbreak in a Louth hospital.
The HSE last night confirmed that the Louth Meath Hospital Group had identified a C Diff outbreak at Our Lady’s Hospital in Navan. There has been one confirmed case at the hospital, while a further two patients are symptomatic with diarrhoea.
The Navan outbreak follows an outbreak of the infection at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Drogheda where there have been 21 confirmed cases of the superbug. The Louth county coroner is examining whether or not the infection was a factor in five deaths at the Louth hospital.
All elective orthopaedic surgery at the Navan hospital has been cancelled until further notice. Patients scheduled to have surgery next week are being informed of the cancellations by telephone.
Strict visiting restrictions are in place. Where visitors are permitted to visit the hospital they are being advised of the need for appropriate hygiene protocols.
Additional infection control procedures have also been implemented.