Vulnerable patients are to be moved out of a ward at Monklands Hospital after traces of the mould aspergillus were discovered during work on its ventilation system.
“Precautionary measures” including dispensing anti-fungal medication and deploying air filters have been put in place to protect patients currently in haematology ward 16 at the Airdrie hospital until they can be transferred.
Their move to nearby ward 15 will take place after its existing oncology outpatients are relocated to Hairmyres Hospital for the duration of the project, and after works are then carried out on that ward.
NHS Lanarkshire announced today that aspergillus had been identified as a result of “a detailed programme of ongoing planned and proactive upgrading of the ventilation system in our haematology ward”.
A statement from the health board said: “The patients in this ward are vulnerable so we have taken the decision to move [them] out of ward 16 to allow us to complete the upgrading in an empty ward.
“[They will] move into our oncology outpatient ward – unfortunately, there are some works we need to carry out on ward 15 before this move can take place and these will begin as soon as we have put in place the appropriate measure for oncology outpatients to attend Hairmyres, including any individual transport needs.
“In the meantime, we have taken a number of precautionary measures in ward 16 by introducing portable HEPA filters and prescribing anti-fungal medication (prophylactic) for those patients not already being prescribed [this].
“Anti-fungal medication is often prescribing for patients whose immune system is compromised. None of the patients are showing any signs or symptoms of aspergillosis.
“Outpatients from ward 15 will be relocated and attend our oncology unit at Hairmyres for a period, before relocating back to Monklands for the remaining time of ward 16 being ready for our in-patient service to return.”
Health board officials describe aspergillus as “a common mould, a type of fungus that lives indoors and outdoors”, and add: “Most people breathe in aspergillus spores every day without getting sick – however, people with weakened immune systems or lung diseases are at a higher risk of developing health problems.”
Cancer services manager Lynn Mack said: “As soon as aspergillus was identified we took active steps to carry out further testing and identify the steps we needed to take to allow us provide the safest environment we can for some of our most vulnerable patients.
“NHS Lanarkshire follows the antimicrobial resistance and healthcare-associated infections Scotland guidance, and all standard infection prevention and control measures are in place to keep patients and staff safe.”
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