Bacteria threatens patients

STEVE BIKO HOSPITAL CEO: ‘WE HAD NOT RECEIVED OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS’

Amputating his leg might be the only way to stop the infection from spreading.

What should have been a simple knee replacement operation at Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria has turned into a nightmare for a Pretoria resident. The 72-year-old man apparently contracted a dangerous bacteria at the hospital. Now, amputating his leg might be the only way to stop the infection from spreading, he told Pretoria Moot Rekord.

Johan Pretorius’ medical woes started almost a year-and-half ago in April 2017 when he had surgery done on his left knee. After his operation, he was moved to the intensive care unit (ICU).

“While we were visiting my husband, a nurse told us there could be a highly contagious bacterium in that specific ICU ward,” his wife, Rina, said. “The nurse said a patient who had been diagnosed with the bacteria had been in the ward.”

At the time, the family was worried Pretorius might contract the bacteria, as he had a fresh wound from his recent surgery.

His left leg was swollen and inflamed upon his discharge in May 2017.

A doctor told him his left knee was septic and prescribed some antibiotics.

According to Rina, the antibiotics were prescribed without having any tests done on exactly what type of infection it was or how severe it was. They would also later discover he had been prescribed antibiotics that contain penicillin. This despite his medical file stating he is allergic.

After several visits to the hospital, Pretorius received a letter in July 2017, saying he must have another knee replacement surgery done in October. This operation was not performed because the infection made it impossible.

It was only then, Rina said, that tests were done to check exactly what type of bacteria infected Pretorius’ leg.

Tests showed it was the Acinetobacter baumanni bacterium, the strain the nurse allegedly told them about.

“The doctor also said my husband most likely contracted it while in the operating theatre or in the ICU at Steve Biko Academic Hospital,” said Pretorius.

In January, scans done at the hospital’s nuclear medicine department showed the bacteria was still present and severe.

Pretorius was readmitted in March this year to have fluid drawn from the knee. Tests showed a presence of bacteria, but he was once again prescribed the same antibiotics he was allergic to.

He was scheduled for yet another knee replacement operation in April 26. It was, however, cancelled.

“We have suffered financial loss and emotional trauma due to the negligence of Steve Biko Academic Hospital,” said Rina.

She said the infection smelled “rotten and bad”. “The stench is unbearable.”

The hospital said it was unaware of the presence of the said bacteria at the institution.

“We had not received other complaints regarding this,” said chief executive Dr Mathabo Mathebula.

Mathebula said all patients, including Pretorius, were informed about any complications with total joint replacements.

According to medical experts, the Acinetobacter baumanni bacteria is an emerging multidrug-resistant pathogen. – Caxton News Service