Specialist ‘had to ask’ other experts about infections found at Glasgow hospital
A specialist with 27 years of experience in infection prevention admitted to having to seek advice from other experts about infections discovered at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital (QEUH) in Glasgow. Gaynor Evans, who served as the clinical lead for infection prevention and control with NHS Improvement North of England from 2013 to 2016, revealed that she encountered difficulties in pronouncing some of the infections identified at the hospital while reviewing case notes. She was providing evidence on Tuesday at the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry, which was initiated in 2020 following two deaths linked to infections at the hospital.
Ms Evans, whose career in infection prevention began in 1997, was tasked with reviewing 85 cases of children who became ill after being admitted to wards at the hospital. During the inquiry, senior counsel Fred Mackintosh KC questioned Ms Evans about “unusual micro-organisms” found at the QEUH and inquired about the background rates of infection. Ms Evans emphasised the importance of continuously striving to reduce background infection rates, rather than accepting them as the norm.
She highlighted the significance of being vigilant when encountering novel organisms, stating that encountering such organisms should raise concerns and prompt investigations into their origins and prevalence. Ms Evans revealed that she encountered several infections at the hospital that she had never come across before in her career, underscoring the uniqueness and severity of the situation. The inquiry, presided over by Lord Brodie in Edinburgh, is ongoing as further investigations into the infections at QEUH continue.
In conclusion, the revelations made by Gaynor Evans shed light on the complexities and challenges faced in infection prevention and control at healthcare facilities, particularly concerning the emergence of previously unseen pathogens. The inquiry’s focus on the construction and operations of the QEUH campus highlights the critical need for continuous monitoring and improvement in healthcare protocols to ensure patient safety and well-being.