Lakeshore General Hospital cracks down on hygiene after outbreak

WATCH: The Lakeshore General Hospital is cracking down on hygiene as an outbreak of vancomycin-resistant enterococci bacteria has been reported at the hospital. Sarah Volstad reports.

POINTE CLAIRE — The Lakeshore General Hospital is cracking down on hygiene as an outbreak of vancomycin-resistant enterococci bacteria has been reported at the hospital.

Normally, the enterococci bacteria live in the intestines and on the skin without causing any issues. However, serious infection can occur if the bacteria become resistant to antibiotics, especially in people who are already ill.

“We should advise patients not to go to that hospital, except for extreme emergencies so that they don’t get contaminated themselves,” said Paul Brunet, chairman of the Council for the Protection of Patients.

The bacteria is spread by human contact or through contaminated objects. In hospitals settings, the bug is often passed on to patients by healthcare workers, leading some to question the hygiene procedures being practised by Lakeshore General Hospital staff.

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The Montreal Gazette is reporting that, so far, 66 people have tested positive for the superbug. Now the hospital is taking extra measures to try to reduce the spread of the bacteria.

Global News tried to reach a spokesperson for the Lakeshore General, but our calls went unanswered.

Brunet said he’s surprised the hospital hasn’t spoken out publicly about the outbreak.

“Since the C. difficile crisis in 2003, the hospitals have been accustomed to go public faster than what seems to have been the case here,” said Brunet.

He added that, to date, the Council hasn’t received any complaints about the superbug outbreak at the Lakeshore.

Nevertheless, he is urging all healthcare workers and patients to be diligent about washing their hands regularly.