More cleaning recommended for Hamilton hospital fighting superbug

Eight new C. difficile cases were discovered at St. Joseph's Healthcare in Hamilton over the weekend, bringing the total number to 51. The hospital relied solely on a new, DNA- based lab test to detect the eight cases.

A provincial inspection team visited the hospital Friday and made a number of recommendations, including adopting a more aggressive cleaning protocol that sees more frequent cleaning and in more hospital areas with an agent that kills C. diff bacteria spores.

David Higgins, the hospital president, says the hospital has already started implementing recommended strategies.

dallan@cupe.ca

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