Becker's Hospital Review

15 INFECTION CONTROL & PATIENT SAFETY Most hospitals aren't required to report potentially deadly waterborne infection By Gabrielle Masson T he number of patients sickened by an infection stemming from contaminated water sources is unknown because only two state health agencies require hospitals to report them, according to NBC affiliate WCNC. Nontuberculosis mycobacteria can be acquired from any water source, such as a sink or shower. Those with weak immune systems are most susceptible to the bacteria, which can infect airways and lung tissue, according to the American Lung Association. Though NTM infections have occurred at a dozen hospitals across the U.S., with at least 30 people dying in recent years, only Tennessee and Oregon health agencies require healthcare organizations to report them. Some experts think state regulators aren't doing enough to keep patients safe. "A patient could have NTM, and we wouldn't even know it, because we're not 'looking for it,'" Lawrence Muscarella, PhD, hospital safety expert and president of LFM Health Care Solutions, told WCNC. "I think NTM should be reportable across the country, not just in a handful of states." The Tennessee Department of Health has reported 51 NTM infections at healthcare facilities since 2017. The Oregon Health Authority docu- mented at least 30 NTM infections every year from 2014-17. n 130+ patients, staff members potentially exposed to TB at Washington hospital By Gabrielle Masson M ultiCare Auburn (Wash.) Medical Center in November 2019 notified certain patients of a potential exposure to tuberculo- sis after an employee tested positive for the disease, accord- ing to CBS affiliate KIRO 7. Patients at risk received care at the hospital's family birth center be- tween April 22 and Sept. 30 of 2019, according to a MultiCare safety alert. The hospital sent letters to 27 adult patients notifying them of the exposure risk, along with the families of 26 infants. MultiCare said at least 85 employees were also potentially exposed. The sickened employee went on leave to undergo treatment. A full recov- ery is expected. The employee did not contract the disease from bacteria exposure at a Multicare facility, according to the safety alert. The risk of TB spreading to other patients and staff members is low because contraction of the disease requires prolonged exposure, MultiCare said. The hospital said the exposure was an "isolated situation" and that MultiCare took appropriate action, according to KIRO 7. The hospital provided all exposed patients with free TB testing and is covering the cost of any necessary follow-up treatment. n 'Hospital of horrors': Children abused, improperly medicated at Chicago facility, lawsuit says By Gabrielle Masson C ook County's public guardian filed a lawsuit Dec. 18, 2019, against Chicago Lakeshore Hospital on behalf of seven youths who said they were abused while in state protective custody at the facility, according to the Chicago Tribune. e lawsuit alleges the children were beaten and molested by the psychiatric facility's staff and other patients from 2017-18. e lawsuit also claims staff improperly medicated children at times. Hospital staff oen knew of the alleged attackers' history of violence and did not take proper safety precautions, the lawsuit claims. e facility's parent company, Signature Healthcare Services, is also listed as a defendant, along with several current and former Illinois Department of Children and Family Services employees. "What's perhaps most shocking is that DCFS knew about all the problems and all the abuses at this hospital of horrors," Charles Golbert, Cook County public guardian, said at a news conference. "However, DCFS did nothing to protect the children. ... Only aer a public outcry and also the federal government's [threats] to stop funding did DCFS stop using this psychiatric hospital." In November 2018, DCFS stopped sending children to Chicago Lakeshore Hospital and monitored the facility 24/7 until all foster children were released. e state agency no longer places children in the facility. e lawsuit is an "egregious distortion," Patricia McClure-Chessier, Lakeshore CEO, said in a statement cited by the Chicago Tribune. She said patient health and safety is a top priority, and the hospital has worked to correct problems despite cuts to funding and other resources. "Illinois already faces a severe shortage of mental healthcare providers, and driving more out of business only serves to exacerbate the problem instead of solving it," Ms. McClure-Chessier said. n

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