TIMELINE: The #DeadBabiesScandal ... How the hospitals responded
Published:Friday | October 23, 2015 | 12:00 AM
The Western Regional Health Authority has released a statement saying emergency measures implemented at the Cornwall Regional helped to save the lives of eight premature babies amid an infectious outbreak there this month.
However, it confirms earlier reports that six other babies died.
This is in contrast to what happened at the University Hospital of the West Indies where 12 premature babies died between July when the infection was first detected and last week Friday when the scandal was exposed by the media.
Here’s the timeline of the #DeadBabiesScandal:
HOW CORNWALL REGIONAL RESPONDED:
October 7
- Klebsiella bacteria detected in the neonatal nursery
Immediate measures implemented
- New admissions curtailed
- Unaffected premature babies relocated
October 8
- Relevant officers at the Health Ministry advised
- Cornwall Regional Hospital Infection Control Team assisted to curtail the outbreak
October 12 - Outbreak contained
*Submitted by the Western Regional Health Authority.
HOW THE UHWI RESPONDED:
June 4
Four babies identified with the Serratia bacteria
June 15
One of the four babies dies
June 25
Chair of the Infectious Disease Committee, Dr Allison Nicholas and the acting head of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit inform the UHWI administration of an outbreak of Serratia
August 21
Dr Mathias Antoine, acting head Department of Child Health writes to the UHWI Board about a Klebsiella outbreak in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
August 24
UHWI board receives letter from Dr Antoine. Control measures reviewed and augmented.
September 7
Chief Medical Officer Dr Marion Bullock-DuCasse informed of the outbreak.
September 21
Dr Bullock DuCasse replies indicating that Drs Karen Shaw and Heather Reid-Jones would follow up to ensure that the appropriate infection control procedures are in place.
October 5
A letter dated September 28 received indicating that a team from the Kingston and St Andrew Health Department would be visiting the UHWI to conduct assessment of the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. They noted that the preparation and compilation of documents require some effort; however the absence of these will not cause any delay in the assessment visit.
*Submitted by the Board of the UHWI
READ: Four months, 18 babies dead and the health minister in the dark
October 16
- Nationwide Radio exposes the #DeadBabiesScandal
- The Health Minister summons the board of the UWHI and triggers emergency response measures