Construction works may be source of Prince Charles Hospital’s deadly fungal cluster
Major construction works at Brisbane’s Prince Charles Hospital is being investigated as a possible source of a deadly fungal cluster that has claimed two lives.
QLD News
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Major construction stirring up soil is being investigated as one possible source of a deadly fungal cluster at Prince Charles Hospital’s transplant unit.
Chief health officer Dr John Gerrard, an infectious disease expert, said major construction work was a common source of fungal clusters in transplant units and confirmed the works happening to build a new carpark was being investigated.
“It’s certainly one of the things that’s being investigated,” he said.
“These fungi exist in the environment all around us in the natural environment, so trying to work out where individual patients get their infection from is notoriously difficult.”
Dr Gerrard also confirmed the cleaning practices at the transplant unit was being reviewed and sampling undertaken as part of the “very active investigation”.
Two of the five heart transplant patients linked to a deadly fungal cluster at the hospital have died, though health authorities are adamant their deaths were likely caused by other issues.
Those two patients are Dr Muhammad Hussain, 55, and Adam Retmock, 45, who died on September 20 and November 10 respectively.
The families of both men found out about the deadly cluster on November 1 while watching the evening news.
Health Minister Shannon Fentiman on Wednesday reiterated her “sincere condolences” to the families involved in the cluster
She confirmed she had asked Metro North and the Department of Health to “review the communications with patients and families with respect to this matter and to put in place processes to improve communication”
“Clearly, the way that family members were informed of this matter was not acceptable. Patients deserve timely and comprehensive information and I am committed to ensuring they receive it,” Ms Fentiman said.
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