Health chiefs investigate rise in surgical infections

HOSPITAL bosses in Gateshead are investigating after there were eight confirmed infections reported in patients who had surgery at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

- SAM VOLPE Health reporter

The concerns relate to trauma and orthopaedic surgery, while the nature of the infections has not been made public.

Orthopaedic surgery involves operations on the wider musculoskeletal system - including bones, ligaments, cartilage and tendons.

The infections are understood to have been “deep surgical site infections” and to have been occurring at “nearly double the expected rate”.

In a board report, chief executive Trudie Davies wrote: “We have had eight confirmed Surgical Site Infections (SSIs) in relation to patients who have received trauma and orthopaedic surgery at Gateshead.

“No obvious trends have been identified, but we remain unsatisfied at the standard of care and investigations are ongoing. A Non-Executive Director walkabout in theatres has been conducted to gather more detail.”