Alicia Abelson
WMAL.com
CHEVERLY, Md. — (WMAL) Prince George’s Hospital has reopened its doors to its neonatal intensive care unit two months after the detection of Pseudomonas bacteria.
The center closed on August 10th for investigations after three babies tested positive for the Pseudomonas bacteria and two infants died. Nine babies were transferred to the Children’s National Medical Center in DC following these discoveries, but none of the babies who were transferred or tested positive for the bacteria were sick with the Pseudomonas infection.
According to officials, bacteria was found in the water pipes of several sinks within the hospital. Those sinks have since been removed and treated.
Operating officer of Dimensions Healthcare Systems, Dr. Sherry Perkins said that “as a result, our hospital will have increased reporting requirements to state regulators. Our NICU will also remain at a Level III designation, which will allow us to continue to provide services to very ill newborns as the county’s only NICU.”
Hospital officials said Pseudomonas can be transmitted through the water, but said that there was no evidence to conclude that the bacteria found was the cause of the babies deaths.
Copyright 2016 by WMAL.com. All Rights Reserved. (PHOTO: Dimensionshealth.org)
