Newark, N.J.-based University Hospital hired a new state-ordered infectious disease specialist to investigate current infection control practices at the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit, according to NJ.com.
On Oct. 29, the hospital named Joan Heben, RN, from Baltimore-based IPC Consulting Group, to work 36 hours a week observing infection control practices.
The New Jersey Department of Health in October investigated four Acinetobacter baumannii cases in the hospital's NICU after the death of a premature baby. The investigation uncovered "major infection control deficiencies" in the hospital's NICU.
One of the state's requirements for the hospital to remedy these issues was to hire a full-time infection control practitioner.
"University Hospital takes patient safety, including infection control, very seriously," the hospital said in a statement cited by a previous NJ.com report. "We have been in regular communication with the Department of Health and continue to work closely with them to address this issue as quickly as possible."
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