News
Baby deaths prompt investigation into contaminated drips at NHS hospitals By Jennifer Sprinks AN INVESTIGATION is being conducted into 23 cases of septicaemia in ten NHS hospitals and one private clinic in England, following the death of three babies fed with a contaminated intravenous drip. As the journal went to press, Public Health England (PHE) and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) are investigating 19 confirmed and four possible cases of blood poisoning, caused by Bacillus cereus, a species of bacilli found in the soil, in hospitals across the south east and east of England. These include Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust. In all cases patients received potentially contaminated total parenteral nutrition. The fluid was produced by the company ITH Pharma and fresh supplies are received daily. The first baby who died was being treated at St Thomas’ Hospital in London, where three cases of infection were identified.
Research grants can help children gain emotional resilience
FINDING NEW ways to help children and young people with long-term health conditions to become emotionally resilient is the target of a three-year programme set up by Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity. NURSING CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
Fluid batches are recalled following 19 or more cases of blood poisoning in south and east England PHE incident director Mike Catchpole said: ‘There are still some elements of our investigation that need finalising, but the main findings have all pointed towards there being a single incident that occurred on one day and was associated with the illness seen in the babies. ‘We are reassured that this was a very rare occurrence as we have not seen this particular strain of bacteria in any product made since that day.’ MHRA director of inspection, enforcement and standards Gerald Heddell said the contamination was an isolated incident and that immediate action has been taken at the company to prevent it happening again. ITH Pharma managing director Karen Hamling said she was deeply saddened by the death and the company was co-operating with the investigation.
‘We have instituted a recall of the limited number of batches which could potentially have been affected, and all stock has been removed from circulation,’ she said. Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health consultant paediatrician Martin Ward Platt said: ‘Blood poisoning caused by Bacillus cereus is extremely rare. Any baby developing such a serious infection can suffer from fever, pauses in their breathing, and vomiting, among other symptoms. It is very important to treat suspected infections as early as possible as they can be fatal.’ He added: ‘Naturally, parents whose babies are in intensive care anywhere in the country may be feeling concerned, and if so I would urge them to talk to the doctors and nurses looking after their baby.’ A concluding report following the investigation is expected to be published nearer autumn.
In partnership with the Burdett Trust for Nursing, the scheme will award 12 specialist children’s nurses grants of up to £15,000 each to undertake their own research to improve the care of children with serious long-term conditions. The programme prioritises children with rare or undiagnosed illnesses. The deadline for initial applications is July 14. For details, go to: tinyurl.com/m3973hl
Dr Sanders, a member of the RCN’s Research in Child Health Community, leads a five-strong urology nursing team at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital to provide services to children from Wales and the north west of England. ‘At heart I am a children’s nurse motivated to do what I can to help the children and families I care for,’ she said. ‘The MBE was a huge surprise and I felt humbled and honoured.’ Sandra Lawton, nurse consultant in dermatology at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust’s Queen’s Medical Centre, was awarded an OBE in the birthday honours for her services to nursing. Susan Anne Jones, who is a lead nurse for school health nursing at Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board, was awarded an MBE for her services to children and young people in Neath Port Talbot in Wales.
Nurses are honoured for services in the Queen’s birthday list PAEDIATRIC UROLOGY and gynaecology nurse consultant Caroline Sanders (pictured) has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours.
July 2014 | Volume 26 | Number 6
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Baby deaths prompt investigation into contaminated drips at NHS hospitals By Jennifer Sprinks AN INVESTIGATION is being conducted into 23 cases of septicaemia in ten NHS hospitals and one private clinic in England, following the death of three babies fed with a contaminated intravenous drip. As the journal went to press, Public Health England (PHE) and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) are investigating 19 confirmed and four possible cases of blood poisoning, caused by Bacillus cereus, a species of bacilli found in the soil, in hospitals across the south east and east of England. These include Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust and Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust. In all cases patients received potentially contaminated total parenteral nutrition. The fluid was produced by the company ITH Pharma and fresh supplies are received daily. The first baby who died was being treated at St Thomas’ Hospital in London, where three cases of infection were identified.
Research grants can help children gain emotional resilience
FINDING NEW ways to help children and young people with long-term health conditions to become emotionally resilient is the target of a three-year programme set up by Roald Dahl’s Marvellous Children’s Charity. NURSING CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE
Fluid batches are recalled following 19 or more cases of blood poisoning in south and east England PHE incident director Mike Catchpole said: ‘There are still some elements of our investigation that need finalising, but the main findings have all pointed towards there being a single incident that occurred on one day and was associated with the illness seen in the babies. ‘We are reassured that this was a very rare occurrence as we have not seen this particular strain of bacteria in any product made since that day.’ MHRA director of inspection, enforcement and standards Gerald Heddell said the contamination was an isolated incident and that immediate action has been taken at the company to prevent it happening again. ITH Pharma managing director Karen Hamling said she was deeply saddened by the death and the company was co-operating with the investigation.
‘We have instituted a recall of the limited number of batches which could potentially have been affected, and all stock has been removed from circulation,’ she said. Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health consultant paediatrician Martin Ward Platt said: ‘Blood poisoning caused by Bacillus cereus is extremely rare. Any baby developing such a serious infection can suffer from fever, pauses in their breathing, and vomiting, among other symptoms. It is very important to treat suspected infections as early as possible as they can be fatal.’ He added: ‘Naturally, parents whose babies are in intensive care anywhere in the country may be feeling concerned, and if so I would urge them to talk to the doctors and nurses looking after their baby.’ A concluding report following the investigation is expected to be published nearer autumn.
In partnership with the Burdett Trust for Nursing, the scheme will award 12 specialist children’s nurses grants of up to £15,000 each to undertake their own research to improve the care of children with serious long-term conditions. The programme prioritises children with rare or undiagnosed illnesses. The deadline for initial applications is July 14. For details, go to: tinyurl.com/m3973hl
Dr Sanders, a member of the RCN’s Research in Child Health Community, leads a five-strong urology nursing team at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital to provide services to children from Wales and the north west of England. ‘At heart I am a children’s nurse motivated to do what I can to help the children and families I care for,’ she said. ‘The MBE was a huge surprise and I felt humbled and honoured.’ Sandra Lawton, nurse consultant in dermatology at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust’s Queen’s Medical Centre, was awarded an OBE in the birthday honours for her services to nursing. Susan Anne Jones, who is a lead nurse for school health nursing at Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board, was awarded an MBE for her services to children and young people in Neath Port Talbot in Wales.
Nurses are honoured for services in the Queen’s birthday list PAEDIATRIC UROLOGY and gynaecology nurse consultant Caroline Sanders (pictured) has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s birthday honours.
July 2014 | Volume 26 | Number 6
Downloaded from RCNi.com by ${individualUser.displayName} on Nov 25, 2015. For personal use only. No other uses without permission. Copyright © 2015 RCNi Ltd. All rights reserved.
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