An outbreak of an antibiotic resistant bacteria has been declared at the Owen Sound hospital.
President and CEO Maureen Solecki says a total of five patients on Unit 4-1 have been found to be carrying VRE, or Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcus.
However, Solecki says none of the patients to date have become sick with an infection associated with the bacteria.
As a result of the outbreak, Unit 4-1 has been temporarily closed to new admissions in order to prevent further transmission of VRE.
Solecki says some patients will now be admitted to a surgical unit as occupancy is available, while some ER patients may need to be transferred to some of the rural hospitals.
Solecki says strict enforcement of the hospital’s visiting policy will also be in place on Unit 4-1.
A maximum of two visitors per patient will be allowed at one time, with kids and pets not permitted.
Visitors will also be required to wear protective equipment, while strict hand hygiene protocols will continue.
Solecki says they will be thoroughly cleaning the unit two times to ensure any traces of VRE are removed.
She says Grey Bruce Health Services have been working closely with infectious disease specialists at the University Health Network in Toronto.
They have recommended three consecutive sets of negative test results before the unit is reopened to new admissions, which Solecki expects to take 10 to 12 days.