Children's Ward Re-opens Following MRSA Cleaning

Monday 17 December 2007

Children's Ward Re-opens Following MRSA Cleaning

Southland Hospital's Children's Ward re-opened at 5.30pm, Friday 14 December following a MRSA extensive cleaning process, Leanne Samuel, Interim Chief Operating Officer confirmed today.

Mrs Samuel said that the cleaning process had gone smoothly with hospital staff and cleaning personnel completing the thorough ward disinfection by Friday morning. The ward was re-stocked that afternoon and patients re-admitted into the ward that evening.

"We were pleased to be able to re-open the Children's Ward before the weekend and to admit our paediatric patients back into a child friendly environment, whilst they receive hospital care," Mrs Samuel said.

"Fortunately it has been a quieter period for the paediatric service, with a total of seventeen patients having to be cared for in the Rehabilitation Ward during the Children's ward closure."

At peak times, up to twenty patients a day might be seen through the ward.

"Several other paediatric patients, who would normally return to the children's ward, were kept in the peri-operative theatre area following their day surgery procedure."

Paediatric outpatient clinics had resumed back in the Children's ward today, following relocation into the general outpatients department during the ward closure.

"I wish to acknowledge our staff whose collaboration across the hospital ensured we were able to re-open the children's ward as quickly as possible," Mrs Samuel said.

ENDS

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