Infection outbreak in SMS Hospital’s eye operation theater, samples sent to AIIMS
Routine operations had been suspended until Monday following the outbreak
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SMS Hospital: File Photo
JAIPUR: A suspected infection outbreak in the operation theater of the Sawai Mansingh (SMS) Hospital, the largest medical facility in the state, has raised alarms. The hospital’s management has reached out to experts from premier institutions like the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi to combat the situation.
The infection came to light on Friday, leading to an immediate halt to eye surgeries at the hospital. In an effort to tackle the Pseudomonas infection, samples of over 40 items have been dispatched to the laboratory for meticulous examination.
Dr. Achal Sharma, Superintendent of SMS Hospital, said that they are awaiting for the report before proceeding with the appropriate course of treatment. She said that guidance has been sought from senior ophthalmologists at AIIMS to control and treat the infection and to ensure future surgeries remain free from its spread.
To determine the cause of the Pseudomonas infection, various items from the hospital’s operation theater have been sent for testing. These include eye drops, anesthesia injections, glucose bottles, testing equipment, eye lenses, bandages, cotton, and more. Tests are also being conducted to identify the specific strain of the infection and determine the stage it has reached.
As of now, a total of 71 surgeries were performed between Monday and Tuesday of this week, with approximately 14-15 patients experiencing post-surgery complaints related to the infection. Dr. Sharma said that bacterial infection is common during the rainy season.
In light of the situation, all patients who underwent surgery are being contacted for follow-up examinations.
Symptoms reported by affected patients include eye swelling, redness, blurred vision, and decreased visual acuity. Dr. Achal Sharma said that routine operations had been suspended until Monday following the outbreak. The operation theater at Charak Bhawan has been closed for scrutiny, with all equipment, machinery, and medicines undergoing thorough examination.
All batches of medicines in the operation theater have also been sealed, and samples are being collected for investigation.
