22 patients in SGH renal ward infected with hepatitis C

[Showster]

22 patients in SGH renal ward infected with hepatitis C; 4 patients have died

 

The Singapore General Hospital compound.PHOTO: ST FILE

PUBLISHED 23 MIN AGO UPDATED 8 MIN AGO

 

Lee Min Kok

SINGAPORE - The Singapore General Hospital (SGH) has apologised for an outbreak of the hepatitis C virus in one of its renal wards, which has led to 22 patients being infected with the virus.

 

Of the 22, four - who were also ill with other serious conditions - have since died.

 

At a media briefing on Tuesday (Oct 6) afternoon, the hospital said it had noted an increased frequency of hepatitis C virus infections in early June in the ward.

 

It prompted SGH to step up urgent checks for the virus in patients with abnormal liver function test results staying in the same ward.

 

Investigations into the cause of the infections are ongoing, but initial investigations have indicated that the source could be attributed to "intravenous (IV) injectable agents".

 

Hepatitis C, which causes liver chronic cancer, is mainly transmitted through blood-to-blood contact associated with IV drug use, poorly sterilised equipment and transfusions.

 

About 0.3 per cent of the general population in Singapore suffer from it.

 

SGH chief executive officer Ang Chong Lye said: "We would like to apologise unreservedly for the grief, pain and anguish this has caused our patients and their families.

 

"Patient safety is non-negotiable. What happens to our patients is always our responsibility. We will spare no effort in reviewing our processes and examining all possible sources of infection to prevent recurrence."

 

Prof Ang added that SGH is in touch with the affected patient and their families, and will "continue to provide full support and the appropriate care in managing their condition".

 

All 22 patients were admitted and stayed in the newly-renovated Ward 67 between April and June this year. Ward 64A, the original renal ward, was under renovation.

 

They were all suffering from some form of renal disease, with the majority having undergone renal transplants.

 

Professor Fong Kok Yong, chairman of the SGH medical board, stressed that while there has been no conclusive evidence to what caused the infections, the hospital had taken "aggressive" steps to rectify any shortcomings detected during the ongoing investigations.

 

The hospital's renal care team, including doctors and nurses, have undergone hepatitis C screening. The screening will also be extended to other doctors who covered the ward during the affected period.

 

Meanwhile, SGH has been contacting patients who were admitted to Wards 64A and 67 from the start of the year to June for screening.

 

No new hepatitis C cases related to admission outside the affected April-June period have been identified.

[Mockngbrd]

[shrjun]

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Edited October 6, 2015 by shrjun

[Kklim]

RIP to those who succumbed. Imagine getting a new kidney and then dying from an infected liver due to unclean "IV agents".

[RH1667]

had always thought that our hospitals are using disposable IV / needles ?

[Mustank]

what is intravenous (IV) injectable agents? simi lai eh?

had always thought that our hospitals are using disposable IV / needles ?

 

needles is disposable one right? where got reuse one?

[Piyopico]

"Professor Fong Kok Yong, chairman of the SGH medical board, stressed that while there has been no conclusive evidence to what caused the infections, the hospital had taken "aggressive" steps to rectify any shortcomings detected during the ongoing investigations."

 

It's not an admission of wrongdoing ok.............. Just potentially guilty.

 

🙊

[Ktglfc]

RIP to those who passed away, and hope those who are affected recover soon ....

 

Hopefully the investigations can reveal where the system can be improved ... And prevent such incident from happening again

[Duckduck]

Hepatitis C, which causes liver chronic cancer, is mainly transmitted through blood-to-blood contact associated with IV drug use, poorly sterilised equipment and transfusions.

 

.......

Professor Fong Kok Yong, chairman of the SGH medical board, stressed that while there has been no conclusive evidence to what caused the infections, the hospital had taken "aggressive" steps to rectify any shortcomings detected during the ongoing investigations.

 

cover up FTW.

[Kklim]

what is intravenous (IV) injectable agents? simi lai eh?

 

 

Maybe saline or glucose solution.

[RH1667]

what is intravenous (IV) injectable agents? simi lai eh?

 

needles is disposable one right? where got reuse one?

 

That's why I don't understand why can have infection due to IV if the needles are used and throw-away?

Anyway, think our MCF medical team will be able to answer to layman like myself.

[RadX]

When patients who are Hep C go for dialysis, the machines need to be thoroughly cleaned and 'chemically treated' to rid all remnant pathogens from the prev patient. This is a known risk for those undergo in dialysis, i.e., cross infection.

 

I'm thinking that perhaps those machines were not isolated and used again on non hepC patients.

 

What is sad is among those 22, some are post transplant patients and those could Hv been infected fr blood transfusions needed post op and during the op.

 

Haiz... RIP to those who din make it

When I read all these I count my blessings as I had my transplant there in SGH in 2013. This could have happened to me.

[RH1667]

When patients who are Hep C go for dialysis, the machines need to be thoroughly cleaned and 'chemically treated' to rid all remnant pathogens from the prev patient. This is a known risk for those undergo in dialysis, i.e., cross infection.

 

I'm thinking that perhaps those machines were not isolated and used again on non hepC patients.

 

What is sad is among those 22, some are post transplant patients.

 

Haiz... RIP to those who din make it

When I read all these I count my blessings as I had my transplant there in SGH in 2013. This could have happened to me.

 

Oh...so IV infection not "restricted " to cause by needles .

Thanks.

[Duckduck]

When patients who are Hep C go for dialysis, the machines need to be thoroughly cleaned and 'chemically treated' to rid all remnant pathogens from the prev patient. This is a known risk for those undergo in dialysis, i.e., cross infection.

 

I'm thinking that perhaps those machines were not isolated and used again on non hepC patients.

 

What is sad is among those 22, some are post transplant patients.

 

Haiz... RIP to those who din make it

When I read all these I count my blessings as I had my transplant there in SGH in 2013. This could have happened to me.

 

so y hasnt any heads rolled yet? makes me wonder how many coverups of lesser cases have happened without public knowledge

[RadX]

 

Oh...so IV infection not "restricted " to cause by needles .

Thanks.

Needles are disposed off. In dialysis, many sources of infx, even thru operator

 

But in this case, the reasons I offered are most plausible

 

 

so y hasnt any heads rolled yet? makes me wonder how many coverups of lesser cases have happened without public knowledge[/quote

 

 

Let's not jump the gun and see what they say la

 

Inside knowledge as a patient I can say that there are lapses yet to be properly scrutinized

[nazerath]

Hep c is the worst to get. I am speculating lazy nurses, seen a lot who cannot be bothered, even in private hospitals.

[RadX]

Those infected well, I pray for them.

Hep c is the worst to get. I am speculating lazy nurses, seen a lot who cannot be bothered, even in private hospitals.

Highly likely bro... Highly

 

Failure to conform to SOP and taking the easy way out

[Jaskin]

hahah Mock good one!