Alfred fights Killer fungus, Australia

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Alfred fights killer fungus

Mickelburough, state politics reporter

08dec03

THE Alfred Hospital is battling to repel a deadly fungal invasion of

its Intensive Care Unit almost 23 months after the death of a patient.

A leaked hospital report to the coroner about the January 2002 death

reveals the Alfred has yet to find a solution. But rebuilding or

relocating the unit has been rejected as too costly.

Aspergillus spores are leaking into the three-year-old ICU as wind

currents force them through small gaps in a roof and ceiling that

have been deemed inappropriate for their intended purpose.

Harmless to healthy people, the common fungus can be deadly to those

whose immune system is weak, such as organ or bone marrow transplant

recipients or AIDS sufferers.

The report, by the Alfred's co-director (nursing) Mandy Sanford and

general manager Lea Pope, says the problem is " unprecedented " .

The hospital has had to close one intensive care bed and move six

others to a temporary area on another floor for use by susceptible

patients " whenever possible " .

But the coroner was told rebuilding or moving the unit had been

rejected, because of the " financial implications " of the $10-15

million cost and because doing so would expose patients to the fungus

or force a cut in the ICU beds available.

The hospital is now investigating fumigating the roof and sealing it

with a membrane, and improving air filtration. But the cost and

effectiveness of this has not yet been ascertained.

Opposition health spokesman said the Alfred's financial

woes were delaying a solution. Bayside Health -- of which the Alfred

is part -- posted a $8.1 million deficit last financial year.

" ns have a right to feel confident that when attending

hospital they are safe from infection, " Mr said.

" The Health Minister needs to explain precisely what the situation at

the Alfred is and what the Government intends to do about it. "

The fungal problem surfaced in January last year, after a male

patient died of pneumonia triggered by the aspergillus fungus.

The leaked report reveals a subsequent review of hospital records

found 41 patients had been infected by the common airborne fungus in

the 18 months after the Alfred's new 25-bed ICU opened in August

2000, compared with six cases in the previous 18 months.

Ms Pope yesterday denied a lack of money had delayed a solution,

saying the problem had proved more complex than first thought.

" We think that what we are currently working on will work, " she said.

She said the hospital would continue to ensure that those patients at

greatest risk were treated outside the affected area.