MEDIA RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
September 28, 2011
London Health Sciences Centre reports C. difficile outbreak on unit at University Hospital
LONDON, ON – A C.difficile outbreak has been declared at LHSC University Hospital. Seven patients have presented with a C. difficile infection while on the 8 IP Unit since Aug. 25. Four patients have been discharged and three cases remain on the unit.
In collaboration with the Middlesex-London Health Unit these cases have been reported as an outbreak, utilizing the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care’s criteria for public reporting.
Patients with C. difficile infection have been placed in private rooms. Outbreak signs have been placed on the unit, and information has been provided for families and visitors.
“We are continuing with aggressive measures to prevent further C. difficile transmission, including enhanced surveillance for case identification, cohorting of patients where appropriate, and enhanced environmental cleaning,” says Dr. Michael John, Medical Director, Infection Prevention & Control.
Our primary concern is always the health and well-being of our patients, and our dedicated professionals continue to work hard to end the spread of C. difficile.
About London Health Sciences Centre
London Health Sciences Centre has been in the forefront of medicine in Canada for 136 years and offers the broadest range of specialized clinical services in Ontario. Building on the traditions of its founding hospitals to provide compassionate care in an academic teaching setting, London Health Sciences Centre is home to Children’s Hospital, South Street Hospital, University Hospital, Victoria Hospital, two family medical centres, and two research institutes – Children’s Health Research Institute and Lawson Health Research Institute, a joint research initiative with St. Joseph’s Health Care, London. As a leader in medical discovery and health research, London Health Sciences Centre has a history of over 50 international and national firsts and attracts top clinicians and researchers from around the world. As a regional referral centre, London Health Sciences Centre cares for the most medically complex patients including critically injured adults and children in Southwestern Ontario and beyond. The hospital’s nearly 15,000 staff, physicians, students and volunteers provide care for more than one million patient visits a year. For more information visit www.lhsc.on.ca
- 30 -
For media inquiries contact:
Bärbel Hatje
Corporate Communications and Public Relations
London Health Sciences Centre
519-685-8500, ext. 75947
Barbel.hatje@lhsc.on.ca
After-hours assistance:
Call LHSC Switchboard at 519-685-8500 and ask to page the communication consultant on-call
