Mendoza investigates infections among surgical patients

Mendoza health authorities are investigating a meningitis outbreak involving four patients who underwent surgery at Hospital Privado. Two patients died and the other two were reported to be out of danger. La Nacion reported that Serratia marcescens was detected and that the hospital’s operating room remains closed during the investigation.

Andrea Falaschi, Mendoza’s director general of epidemiology, said investigators had inspected the operating room and were examining materials and other factors shared by the patients. The provincial Health Ministry said the differing operations suggested that a common procedure involving anesthesia or an infusion may be relevant. La Nacion reported that cultures had been taken from the operating room and results were pending.

Specialists cited by La Nacion said the bacterium spreads through direct contact rather than by the respiratory route and may be associated with contaminated surgical supplies, instruments, fluids or another object. Authorities reviewed 10 patients who had passed through the operating room during the period under investigation. Four were confirmed with the bacterium, including the two who died, while the other six did not have it, according to Falaschi.

Costa Rica children’s hospital reports respiratory pressure

In a separate development, Costa Rica’s National Children’s Hospital reported on Monday that occupancy of beds designated for respiratory-virus care had reached 146.27%. The hospital counted 120 children with respiratory conditions, including 22 in intensive care and 17 receiving respiratory support, Semanario Universidad reported.

The emergency department was at 103% occupancy, with 30 patients for 29 spaces; 22 of those patients had respiratory conditions. Hospital deputy director Marcela Hernández said four patients outside the centre were waiting for space. The Costa Rican Social Security Fund identified rhinovirus, respiratory syncytial virus and metapneumovirus among the viruses circulating most widely and associated them with pressure on hospital services.