Probe as hospital sees surgical infections rise

BOSSES INVESTIGATING AMID CONCERNS FOR 'STANDARD OF CARE'

- By SAM VOLPE Health reporter [e-mail]

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

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”.