Many patients in Ystad Hospital were infected with resistant bacteria

Last week, the first cases of VRE were found in the Department of Surgery and Urology 1 of Ystad Hospital, According to Allandas Stadium. In all, a total of 7 patients have now been found to be infected with the bacteria.

Vancomycin-resistant enterococcus, VRE, is a group of intestinal bacteria that can become resistant to all known antibiotics.

The spread of resistant bacteria, such as VRE, is dangerous. They can be dangerous for the affected person, says Chief Physician Katharina Ornstein.

Infection is tracked

The samples from Ystad Hospital have now been sent to the Public Health Agency, which will investigate whether there is any connection between them.

– At the end of next week, we are waiting for an answer whether the patients were infected in the hospital or whether they came here with the infection, says Katharina Ornstein, to Ystads Allehanda.

Since the outbreak, says Katharina Ornstein, the hospital has tightened hygiene measures. The hospital has also contacted patients who have been hospitalized within the past month.

However, in most cases, the bacteria are not dangerous to the infected person and none of the seven infected patients are currently infected.

– They are infectious. Nobody is sick. It is very rare to get sick from these bacteria.

It is important to remove

Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are not something that should be in a hospital environment, says Katharina Ornstein. Ystad Hospital is now isolating the outbreak.

These particular bacteria can be difficult to remove from the environment, so you know that outbreaks can go on for a long time. That is why you must deal with it immediately. And for the occasional patient who might get sick from the bacteria.