Outbreak of infections with a dangerous bacteria in the ATI ward of the Piatra Neamt County Hospital: Four patients dead and 12 others infected
An outbreak of nosocomial infections with Acinetobacter baumannii was confirmed in the Intensive Care Unit of the Piatra Neamț County Hospital, where four patients died and 12 others were infected. The hospital management admits that the disinfection procedures could not be carried out properly due to the overcrowding in the ward.
Deceased patients had comorbidities. PHOTO Shutterstock
The outbreak has been evolving since January 2025, according to Digi24. The four deceased patients were between 61 and 84 years old and suffered from serious illnesses, and the manager of the unit, Alexandru Pătrașcu, claims that the infection was not the direct cause of death, but their comorbidities.
In order to limit the spread of the bacteria, the hospital ordered additional measures: strict checking of the hygiene of the staff's hands, isolation of infected patients and expansion of the epidemiological investigation to identify the source.
Disinfection was carried out in the salons while the patients were hospitalized, and currently there are only two patients left in the ATI ward.
“Can't disinfect properly”
The manager of SJU Piatra Neamț says that closing the ATI section is not possible, given that the unit serves the entire Neamț county.
“We cannot close the Intensive Care Unit of a county hospital. We must find solutions to continue the provision of medical services and, at the same time, to manage infections associated with the medical act. Disinfection cannot be done properly, given that it is a crowded ward.” he explained to the cited source.
Alexandru Pătrașcu says that the only option for effective disinfection would be to limit admissions and redirect patients to other hospitals.
What is Acinetobacter baumannii
Acinetobacter baumannii is a gram-negative bacterium, which has the ability to cause severe nosocomial infections, especially in patients hospitalized in Intensive Care Units.
