Surgical ward reopens at Christchurch Hospital

Friday, 18 December 2009, 4:05 pm
Press Release: Canterbury District Health Board

MEDIA RELEASE
DATE: Friday 18 December 2009
SUBJECT: Surgical ward reopens at Christchurch Hospital

Screening for MRSA of patients and staff in Christchurch Hospital’s surgical ward has shown no new cases of patient infection. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a type of Staphylococcus aureus that has become resistant to many of the antibiotics commonly used to treat an infection.

Earlier this week five patients from the ward tested positive for the infection.

However, negative results from further testing, increased infection control precautions and intensive cleaning procedures have enabled the hospital to reopen the surgical ward.

Christchurch Hospital’s Interim General Manager Ruth Barclay said “Our infection control team and surgical ward staff have worked very hard to enable us to reopen the ward. We will continue to closely monitor the situation and remind patients and visitors to the hospital of the importance of good handwashing.”

ENDS

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Canterbury DHB

CDHB

Canterbury District Health Board (CDHB) is a Christchurch, New Zealand based hospital and healthcare provider for the Canterbury region of New Zealand. Our region extends from Kekerengu in the North, to Rangitata in the South and Arthurs Pass in the West and comprises the six Territorial Local Authorities of Kaikoura, Hurunui, Waimakariri, Christchurch City, Selwyn and Ashburton.

We collaborate with other health and disability organisations, stakeholders and our community to decide what health and disability services are needed and how to best use the funding we receive from Government to improve, promote and protect the health, wellbeing and independence of our population.

At the Canterbury DHB, our vision is to improve the health and wellbeing of people living in Canterbury.

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