The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) presented the Pan American Health Organization’s investigation into the death of 8 neonatal babies between May 5th and 17th. Chief Executive Officer at the hospital, Dr. Gary Longsworth highlighted the findings of the report.
Dr. Longsworth, however ,began first by expressing regret at the tragedy and explained that it has been a painful experience for those affected as well as persons working at the KHMH. He added that while the institution has been striving for excellence and has made significant gains, the baby deaths are a setback to those gains but one which he said will not be a permanent one.
He then went on stating that the investigation was done as a result of the baby deaths at the intensive care unit to assess the programs that are in place for prevention of outbreaks and to assist in strengthening of capacity of the hospital to prevent future outbreaks. At the conclusion of the investigation, which included site visits and interviews with parties concerned, the PAHO team produced a comprehensive report which underscored the problems within the hospital and recommendations for improvement in various areas.
According to the CEO, the hospital has in place various infection prevention control measures and guidelines but much needs to be done to strengthen these measures. And the report seconds that sentiment highlighting various deficiencies that exist in the KHMH. Among these is the Infection Control Committee and program, which were not working on a regular basis. Although there are trained personnel, the methods of surveillance have not been specific and are not targeted to any types of illnesses.
The investigative team also found that the Central Medical Laboratory has deficiencies regarding space and training for those working there. There also needs to be quality control measures to be implemented urgently to improve the functions of the microbiology laboratory. It also found that there should be standard precautions put in place to control and prevent outbreaks. While there were prevention guidelines, monitoring and lack of a supportive environment for standard precautions were affecting compliance.
To each of the deficient areas, PAHO made specific recommendations for improvement. These include the development of infection prevention and control plan with annual goal to monitor activities. It also called for better communication strategies between the hospital and the laboratory. Some of these said Dr. Longsworth are already in place with the Infection Control Committee having already drafted an infection prevention plan in line with the recommendations made. It also has the Central Medical Laboratory involved in this exercise. There has also been the development of a draft antibiotic policy to manage invasive procedures in the hospital intensive care since this involves a lot of invasive work which could lead to infection.
Another recommendation asks that there be better reporting throughout the system vertically to the Chief Executive Officer, and Dr. Longsworth indicated that is already being done with him now being a part of the Infection Control Committee.
As for the neonatal area, Government has already disbursed one hundred and fifty thousand dollars which will be used within the next two weeks to improve the neonatal facility of the hospital. This will include the remodeling and expanding of the unit to double its space. This is to be completed within six to eight weeks of the project starting.
While CEO Longsworth gave the PAHO report’s findings, Minister of Health Hon. Pablo Marin along with the Ministry of Health’s CEO, Dr. Peter Allen and Chairman, Chandra Nisbet-Cansino, were also present at the press conference. During the press conference Hon. Marin expressed his deepest sympathies and committed to improving conditions at the KHMH (See page 2).
