Two newborns dead due to infection, investigations continue

 BOLZANO - Investigations are continuing to determine the cause of the Serratia marcescens infection that killed two newborns, writes Il Fatto Quotidiano. In the meantime, a preliminary precautionary measure has been taken: suspending the use of a specific dishwashing detergent, potentially contaminated, in all hospitals in the province of Bolzano. The directive was issued today by the General Management of the South Tyrol Health Authority following the death of the two premature babies in the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit in recent days.

 The decision was taken, according to a statement from the ASDAA (a sanitation agency), “on the orders of the judicial authorities, through the NAS [health and hygiene police], as a precautionary measure and pending further investigations”. As already emphasised during last Thursday's press conference, the Obstetrics Department, as well as all other departments and services at Bolzano Hospital, are not affected by this particular situation and are operating normally and at full capacity. The health conditions of the 10 premature babies admitted to the hospital remain stable.

 The two newborns died within a few hours of each other on August 12 and on the night of August 13. The Bolzano Public Prosecutor's Office then delegated the preliminary investigations of the case to the NAS of the Carabinieri to verify compliance with hospital protocols and the presence of any hygiene deficiencies in the neonatal intensive care unit of the San Maurizio Hospital. It is not yet known whether the prosecutor's office has considered performing an autopsy and whether a manslaughter case has been opened against unknown persons.

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