http://www.thespec.com/News/Local/article/391688
Tory wants C. diff meeting
June 24, 2008
John Burman
The Hamilton Spectator
BURLINGTON (Jun 24, 2008)
Opposition Leader John Tory wants to know why the provincial
government has not called Ontario hospital administrators together to
share the lessons learned in the C. difficile outbreak at Joseph Brant
Memorial Hospital.
Tory, who met with Jo Brant officials for an hour to discuss funding
concerns yesterday, said the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care
should call an immediate conference to share best practices.
There have been at least 22 outbreaks of the lethal superbug at 19
Ontario hospitals in 19 months.
C. diff claimed 62 lives at Jo Brant in 20 months, before it was
brought under control.
Standing outside the hospital, the Progressive Conservative leader
said he is not aware of any effort by the Liberal government to spread
the best practices put in place at Jo Brant after an infection control
expert was brought in.
"The government needs to do that to ensure everything is done to
guarantee public safety," said Tory, who accused the government of
"putting politics ahead of the public interest."
The Ontario government has consistently said there is no need for an
inquiry into the C. difficile outbreaks because enough information was
gleaned from a coronor's review into deaths in Sault Ste. Marie.
Tory, who has called for a third-party investigation of the C. diff
problem, said he is pleased Jo Brant and Hamilton Health Sciences --
which yesterday announced a C. diff outbreak in the cardiac unit at
Hamilton General Hospital -- have been open and forthright about the
severity of the problem.
Accompanied by Burlington MPP Joyce Savoline, who suggested a
conference of administrators weeks ago, Tory met with Jo Brant
president and CEO Don Scott and other hospital officials to discuss
the need for more long-term care facilities so extended-care patients
can move out of hospitals, freeing up beds for acute-care patients.
Jo Brant has 50 patients waiting for long-term care spots, he said,
which leads to overcrowding in emergency rooms.
Tory also slammed the Liberal government for inadequate capital
funding of hospitals, noting that renovation is needed to bring about
new standards of infection control in aging facilities but the Health
Ministry has not gone beyond the planning stage.
jburman@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Regards
Pat Gardiner
Release the results of testing British pigs for MRSA and C.Diff now!
www.go-self-sufficient.com
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