HENRICO COUNTY, Va. – Bon Secours confirms bacteria was found inside their Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit at Bon Secours St. Mary’s Hospital in Henrico County.
A Bon Secours spokesperson confirmed the presence of ESBL klebsiella, a bacterium that produces an enzyme known as Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase (ESBL).
They said the bacteria was confined to the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit.
Six patients, who were hospitalized at St. Mary’s between March 26 and April 16, were found to have the bacteria.
Klebsiella is a common bacterium that is found in almost all bodies, within the intestinal tract, a spokesperson said.
"ESBL klebsiella is not cause for alarm as it can be treated with antibiotics," the spokesperson said. "No patients have been moved from St. Mary’s Hospital as a result of the issue."
After a fourth patient was identified, St. Mary’s proactively contacted the health department and presented an action plan as well as the added precautionary measure of patient testing and contact isolation in the unit.
The unit will be deep cleaned and more testing will be conducted to determine if the patients acquired the bacteria at the hospital or if it was present in their bodies before they were admitted.
The deep clean of the unit included both manual cleaning as well as utilizing the Tru-D SmartUVC advanced disinfection robot technology.
During the deep clean and disinfection process, cardiovascular ICU care will be provided in a different area within St. Mary’s Hospital.
The cleaning process of the unit will be complete by Wednesday and Bon Secours continues to maintain a full schedule of patient care.
