Bacteria In Newark Hospital NICU; Baby's Death Being Probed: DOH

NEWARK, NJ -- The New Jersey Department of Health is investigating four Acinetobacter baumannii cases in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of University Hospital in Newark, authorities announced Thursday evening.

DOH officials stated:

"The department first became aware of this bacterial infection on Oct. 1 and two department teams have been closely monitoring the situation. Those department teams, which have been at the facility last week and this week, have been ensuring that infection control protocols are followed and are tracking cases of the infection. The department’s inspection revealed major infection control deficiencies."

According to the DOH, a premature baby with the bacteria who had been cared for at University Hospital was transferred to another facility and passed away toward the end of September, prior to the department's notification of problems in the NICU.

"Due to the other compounding medical conditions, the exact cause of death is still being investigated," DOH officials said.

The department has ordered a Directed Plan of Correction that requires University Hospital to employ a full-time Certified Infection Control Practitioner consultant, who will report to the DOH on immediate actions taken in the coming days.

DOH officials said they are also exploring further actions the agency may need to take in the coming days to "ensure patient safety."

The full plan of correction can be seen online here.

CITY OFFICIAL: 'NO RISK TO NEWARK'

Shortly after the DOH issued a statement about the investigation on Thursday evening, Newark Department of Health and Community Wellness Director Mark Wade told city residents that the bacteria doesn't pose a risk to the local community.

Wade said:

"On Thursday, October 25, it was brought to our attention that a premature infant who had been cared for at University Hospital in Newark had an Acinetobacter bacteria at the time of their death. Unfortunately, the infant had a variety of other compounding medical conditions. Acinetobacter is a hospital-acquired infection with no community transmission. Rest assured, this does not pose a risk to the Newark community. Acinetobacter, the bacteria involved at University Hospital, and adenovirus, the virus to which multiple children were exposed and died from at the Wanaque Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation, are different and not related. The virus and the bacteria spread differently, but both can have adverse outcomes on patients with weakened immune systems."

He continued:

“We understand that the New Jersey Department of Health has been in communication with University Hospital officials and are determining the cause of death. It is still an ongoing investigation."

Wade concluded:

“We are concerned about the presence of Acinetobacter at University Hospital. University Hospital officials have told us that they are working closely with the NJ Department of Health to control Acinetobacter and are employing all available methods to control any issues that may arise. The Newark Department of Health and Community Wellness will continue to carefully monitor the situation... Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family.”

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