Jan 17, 2008 12:52 pm US/Eastern
Deadly Infection Found At Local Hospital
BALTIMORE (WJZ) ―
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The University of Maryland Medical Center says the hospital has found a few cases of a deadly infection.
CBS
The University of Maryland Medical Center says the hospital has found a few cases of a deadly infection. Three of seven people who have come down with this potentially deadly bacteria have died of possibly unrelated causes.
Marry Bubala reports it is called Acinetobacter baumannii.
Tests taken on Jan. 4 confirm the bacteria had infected seven patients at the University of Maryland Medical Center. Of the seven, three of the more critically ill later died but doctors aren't sure the bacteria caused their deaths. Since it can cause serious infections and is difficult to treat, patients like Kelly McColligan's mother are worried.
"My mom's going through radiation and chemo, which breaks down her immune system, so of course I'm concerned that it could get to my mother. So I wanted to know what floor it was on," McColligan said.
Eyewitness News has learned the bacteria is common to hospitals, can be transmitted from person-to-person contact and from contaminated wounds. Individuals with compromised immune systems are most at risk, along with those who suffer from diabetes and respiratory problems. However, it does not pose a threat to healthy people.
The bacteria was found in an isolated section of a critical care unit. Once identified, hospital officials took specific steps to clean it up.
It requires the use of special gloves, gowns, frequent handwashing and frequent equipment disinfection. Visitors are comforted by the medical center's actions, but not enough to totally ease their minds.
"Well, I'm really glad that they caught it, but I'm kind of upset that it got out, because it shouldn't have ever happened," said Curtis Witherspoon Sr.
The four remaining patients infected are in stable condition while under the treatment of a single care team.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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