Joe McHugh (Donegal North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 132: To ask the Minister for Health and Children when she envisages the preparation and completion of a report into the contraction of MRSA by two babies at Letterkenny General Hospital, County Donegal in 2008. [39067/08]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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Achieving and maintaining the highest possible standards of hygiene in our hospitals and health care facilities generally is a priority for this Government and for the Health Service Executive (HSE). Hygiene and infection control measures are key to the prevention of the spread of Healthcare Associated Infections in our hospital system.

I am informed that as part of the standard infection control policies within the hospital, Letterkenny General Hospital will be carrying out an internal review of the circumstances leading to and consequent management of the recent cluster of MRSA cases in its maternity unit. This is normal infection control practice.

It should be noted that it is not unique for babies to test positive for MRSA, whether in a hospital setting or at home in the community. On this occasion what was different, was that 3 babies tested positive for MRSA within a very short timeframe. Again, although unusual, this is not unique. The infection control protocols and the pro-active actions of the hospital resulted in all the babies being identified and treated in a very short period of time. There was also clear and open communication with all the families involved. The source of the colonisation was also identified and measures were taken to ensure that no further babies could be colonised from this source. It must be stressed that although the babies were colonised, at no time were they ill or have a blood stream infection.

Despite some attempts and speculation aiming to link these cases to any previous cases of MRSA within the hospital, this cluster of MRSA was a discrete event. The hospital kept the HSE and my Department advised of the measures it was undertaking throughout its management of this issue. The Hospital has clear clinical governance processes which allow for the review of incidents such as this and enable the hospital to learn from the process.