Drug-resistant superbug CPE linked with eight deaths at hospitals in Limerick over eight-year period, review finds
A DRUG-RESISTANT superbug was an associate factor in eight deaths over an eight-year period at hospitals in Limerick, a review has found.
An independent report of 73 patients' deaths at the UL Hospital Group between 2009 and 2017 found that Carbapenemase Producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) had been detected in eight of those deaths.
CPE is one of the newest antibiotic resistant superbugs and is unaffected by antibiotics as they produce the enzyme carbapenemase that disables the drug molecule.
It is found in the gut or stomach and is harmless if it remains there however if it spreads to the urine or blood, it can be fatal.
It was first detected in Ireland in 2009 and isolated in University Hospital Limerick (UHL). The first outbreak in an Irish hospital occurred in UHL in 2011.
The investigation examined 196 CPE patients between the period between February 2009 and May 2017.
Of those 196, 73 had died and it was found that CPE had an associated factor in eight of those deaths.
The eight patients who died also had other significant medical problems and the bug was not the direct cause of their deaths.
The 60-page review was triggered by a letter sent to the local Coroner by a whistle-blower who claimed that a number of deaths were caused directly by CPE.
According to the Tipperary Star, Professor Colette Cowan, CEO of UL Hospitals Group said: “We are conscious in publishing the review today that behind every number, there is a family who has lost a loved one.
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“We know that in revisiting these matters, we may be adding to their distress. We apologise for this but we felt strongly that all next-of-kin should be informed of the review findings.
“CPE is not an easy thing for people to come to terms with. We would like to reassure patients and to reassure the public that the precautions we take in screening for CPE and in cohorting or isolating CPE contacts or CPE-positive patients are taken to minimise the risks to the most vulnerable patients.”
The UL Hospital Group is comprised of University Hospital Limerick, University Maternity Hospital, Croom Orthopaedic Hospital, Ennis Hospital, Nenagh Hospital and St John's Hospital.