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Hospital In New Orleans: Article Summary

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This article is about a Children’s hospital in New Orleans struggling with an outbreak of infected surgical wounds from cardiothoracic operations. There have been at least 12 reports of children contracting a rare surgical site infection from undergoing cardiac surgery. An investigation put on by the hospital discovered the type of bacteria causing this infection is commonly found in dirt, water, and dust. The bacteria, mycobacterium abscessus, has been labeled as a very abnormal source of infection in wounds. The epidemic of infection was said to be caused by a piece of equipment used in the operation room to maintain stable temperature to patients on bypass. Many of the former patients have been told that the hospital is recommending them to be evaluated as the infection is easily treatable. Several of the convalescents already diagnosed and hospitalized for treatment, as nearly ready to be discharged. Some of the symptoms of the surgical site infection are swelling of the surgical incision, "wound drainage," redness and fever. The hospital has since disposed of and replaces the piece of affected equipment, and has sterilized the entire operating room responsible for the outbreak. They have also set up a 24-hour hotline for inquiries concerning the infection and their health in connection to it. Similarly, they are contacting other hospitals with …show more content…

For years now, I’ve had dreams of going to medical school and becoming a surgeon. I don’t know what kind of surgeon I would want to be, but cardiothoracic is up there. In my eighth-grade science class we dissected pig’s hearts and a kid’s dad, a heart surgeon, helped. He told me I had the hands of a surgeon, which I thought was incredible considering my aspirations. Not only did this article interest me because I have general knowledge on the workings of a heart, but also because it shows the process of cleaning up mistakes in a medical

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