Four infants have tested positive for Serratia, but fortunately, they are not showing any signs of illness. They have been isolated, and closely monitored, and tests are ongoing to determine if they all have the same strain of the bacteria.
To ensure the safety of all babies, the level 3 neonatal unit will not accept any new infants until the current ones are free of bacteria. Additionally, Sunnybrook’s NICU and the Hospital for Sick Children will handle any overflow of patients from the closed unit. If necessary, expectant mothers with high-risk pregnancies may be transferred to other hospitals in Kingston, Ottawa, or Hamilton.
It’s important to note that the Hospital for Sick Children can only accommodate babies, not birthing mothers. If all local hospitals reach capacity, mothers may be sent to Buffalo for care.
It has been approximately four years since a death due to Serratia occurred at Sinai’s nursery, according to Dr. Allison McGeer, the director of infection control. The cause of the recent infection is currently under investigation, but it is known that the bacteria can be transmitted via touch.
The overcrowded conditions in the 30-year-old unit have posed a challenge for infection control. The available space for each neonatal intensive care bed is only about 60 square feet, well below today’s recommended standard of 150 square feet.
To address this issue, Mount Sinai is scheduled to begin construction of a new neonatal unit in June as part of a $150 million capital project.
