Cases of Acinetobacter baumannii studied at the NICU of Newark Hospital

The New Jersey Department of Health is investigating four cases of Acinetobacter baumannii in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at University Hospital Newark.

The Department was informed of this bacterial infection for the first time on October 1 and two departmental teams are closely monitoring the situation. Department teams, present last week and this week, ensure that infection control protocols are followed and track infection. The Department's inspection revealed major deficiencies in infection control.

A premature baby in care at the university hospital carrying the bacteria was transferred to another facility and died in late September, prior to the Department's notification of problems at the NICU. Due to other medical issues related to the composition, the exact cause of death is still under investigation.

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The department has commissioned a directed correction plan that requires the university hospital to employ a full-time consultant, a certified infection control practitioner, who will report back to the department on immediate actions taken in the coming days. The Department is also studying other measures that it might be necessary to take in the coming days to ensure patient safety.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Acinetobacter is a group of bacteria commonly found in soil and water.

Acinetobacter baumannii accounts for about 80% of reported infections.

Outbreaks of Acinetobacter infections usually occur in intensive care units and health care facilities that house very sick patients.

Acinetobacter causes a variety of diseases, ranging from pneumonia to serious infections of the blood or sores, and the symptoms vary depending on the disease. Acinetobacter can also "colonize" or live in a patient without causing infection or symptoms, especially in tracheostomy sites or open wounds.

Acinetobacter poses very little risk for healthy people. However, people with weakened immune systems, chronic lung disease or diabetes may be more susceptible to Acinetobacter. Inpatients, especially those who are very ill on the ventilator, those who stay in the hospital for a long time, those who have open wounds, or anyone with invasive devices such as urinary catheters, are also at higher risk. Acinetobacter infection.

Acinetobacter is often resistant to many commonly prescribed antibiotics.