Baby with bacterial infection dies; hospital investigated

NEW JERSEY (FOX5NY) - Health officials are investigating bacterial infections in the neonatal intensive care unit at a New Jersey hospital following the death of a premature baby.

The state health department has found four Acinetobacter baumannii cases at University Hospital in Newark since Oct. 1.

The baby had the bacteria and was transferred to another facility, where the infant died.

The department says the exact cause of death is under investigation because of compounding medical conditions.

A spokesperson for the hospital issued the following statement:

“University Hospital takes patient safety, including infection control, very seriously. We have been in regular communication with the Department of Health and continue to work closely with them to address this issue as quickly as possible.”

The health department says it found major injection control deficiencies at the hospital and has ordered a plan of correction. The bacteria can cause pneumonia or serious blood or wound infections.

The cases are not related to the virus which has infected 19 patients and killed seven at a pediatric rehabilitation center in New Jersey.

With the Associated Press