Hospital Authority announces infection risks of using heater-cooler device in cardiothoracic surgeries
******************************************************************************************
The spokesperson for the Hospital Authority (HA) made the following announcement today (November 15) regarding the infection risks of using a Heater-Cooler device in cardiothoracic surgeries:
The HA received a safety alert from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of the United States that a Heater Cooler System used in cardiothoracic surgery could be contaminated by Mycobacterium chimaera. The device, while in use, carries a potential risk of transmitting the bacteria through the air or the exhaust vent. A patient's infection risk is estimated to be around one in 1 000.
Mycobacterium chimaera is commonly found in water and soil. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, patients may develop symptoms several months after being infected with the bacteria. Doctors would then prescribe an antibiotic treatment for the infected patients.
The HA is very concerned about the incident and has immediately notified the three public hospitals providing cardiothoracic surgery services (Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), Prince of Wales Hospital and Queen Mary Hospital). A thorough review was conducted on the records of patients who had used this model of Heater Cooler System over the past four years. It was found that two patients who had undergone cardiothoracic surgery in QEH were confirmed to have become infected with the bacteria.
Since the bacteria can be transmitted through various channels (such as in the environment), the hospital is conducting further bacterial culture tests on the device concerned to ascertain whether these two patients have acquired the infection from the device. The two patients (one man and one woman) are under antibiotic treatment and will be followed up regularly. The hospital has explained the situation to them and will closely monitor their clinical progress.
The HA has adopted a series of infection control measures based on the recommendations from FDA and microbiology experts. These include:
- Adhere to the manufacturers' instructions in cleaning and disinfecting the device;
- Conduct more frequent checks and replacement of the tubing and connectors;
- Position the Heater Cooler System away from the patient as far as possible;
- Explain the risks to patients receiving open heart surgery; and
- Arrange early replacement of the Heater Cooler System.
Ends/Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Issued at HKT 22:24
Issued at HKT 22:24
NNNN