No Mycobacterial infection cases at The Alfred
There have been no Victorian patients identified with the bacterial infection, known as Mycobacterium chimaera, since an international alert for regular testing of heater/cooler units was issued earlier this year.
As a result of this alert, The Alfred undertook an extensive review of all patients who had undergone a cardiac bypass since 2005, including those with CAGS, valves and cardiac transplants.
"There were no cases of this infection detected," said Prof Allen Cheng, Director of Infection Prevention and Healthcare Epidemiology at The Alfred.
"To-date, only 56 cases of infection have been described world-wide and, importantly, none in Victoria.
"We replaced all our heater cooler units immediately after this bacterium was detected in the machines used at The Alfred.”
The same heater/cooler units have been removed from at least two other Victorian hospitals.
"While the risk is low, we will continue to work with state and national agencies including the Victorian Department of Health, on this issue,” said Prof Cheng.
For more information, patients can phone our patient liaison team on (03) 9076 8001.
The Alfred’s Director of Infection Prevention, Prof Allen Cheng answers some questions about Mycobacterium chimaera
Do patients who have had cardiac surgery at The Alfred need to worry?
Infections are a rare but well-described complication of surgery, including heart surgery. Of the hundreds of thousands of cardiac surgeries performed each year, Mycobacterium chimaera has only been linked with 56 cases world-wide. It is an extremely rare complication and no Victorian hospital patient has been diagnosed with M chimaera infection after cardiac surgery.
To be absolutely sure of this we have reviewed data on all patients who have had cardiac bypass surgery at The Alfred.
These patients include those with cardiac transplants, those with cardiac valves and those who had coronary artery graft surgery (CAGS).
What should patients who have had cardiac surgery be aware of?
Infections, including those due to M chimaera, can occur up to many months or years after surgery. Patient with M chimaera infection have prolonged, unexplained fever or weight loss. Patients who do not have these symptoms do not need to be concerned.
M chimaera can be treated with antibiotics. Patients who are concerned about possible infection should contact their GP or cardiologist for assessment, or phone the patient liaison service at The Alfred on (03) 9076 8801.
I’m scheduled for heart surgery. Which heater/cooler units are being used at The Alfred?
The three heater/cooler units that were in use at The Alfred since 2005 were replaced earlier this year following testing in response to an international alert was issued for a commonly used machine. The new machines have been tested and are not contaminated with M chimaera.
What is being done to maintain patient safety?
While the risk of this infection is low, members of the various teams at The Alfred have been working with state and national agencies on this issue. These include the Victorian Department of Health, the Therapeutic Goods Administration and the Australian Commission for Safety and Quality in Healthcare.
_500_333.png)
