The C. difficile outbreak at the Hanover and District Hospital is taking its toll on employees.
Vice President of Patient Care Services Reta Sproule admits morale is low.
She says staff need to be commended for the all of the extra work they have taken on to try to rid the hospital of the super bug.
But Sproule admits its been an uphill battle and has been the cause of much frustration for staff.
Since the Hospital entered its second out break status this year, staff have had to undertake a serious of new protocols and cleaning procedures.
This has resulted in an increased workload for nursing and cleaning staff.
Nevertheless the measures are necessary in order to stop the spread of the C. difficile spores which can live on surfaces for up to six weeks.
In the meantime a total of 16 patients have contracted the C. difficile virus over the last two outbreaks.
12 patients came down with the super bug during the first outbreak and 4 during the second outbreak.
Of the 16, there were 8 deaths — and while C. difficile was never the direct cause — it was a contributing factor.
The elderly and those on certain antibiotics remain at the highest risk of catching the super bug.
The Hanover and District Hospital has been in this second outbreak status since March 12th.
The Hospital must go 60 days without a new case of C. difficile before the outbreak status can be lifted.