Staff at Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children in Crumlin are continuing to attempt to contact the families of children who underwent a procedure earlier this year with a contaminated surgical instrument.

Some 18 children underwent a colonoscopy with a colonoscope contaminated with ESBL (extended spectrum beta lactamases) - bacteria that live in the bowel and which cannot be treated by commonly used antibiotics.

With most patients, ESBLs lives harmlessly in the bowel and do not cause any infection. However, they can cause infection in some patients, for example, those undergoing chemotherapy.

According to the hospital, the problem was first discovered on July 6 when, ‘as a result of routine quality assurance surveillance', it became aware that there was a ‘microbiological growth' on one colonoscope following routine sterilisation.

"The hospital immediately quarantined and carried out testing on all scopes and on the scope decontamination system. An emergency scope was sourced for use. Extensive infection control testing on all scopes and on the hospital's specific scope decontamination system was undertaken.

"Following this testing, the hospital's consultant microbiologist identified, on the 10th July, that the problem affected only one single colonoscope," it explained.

Patient tracing began immediately to identify any children who had colonoscopies using this piece of equipment between May 17 and July 5. Eighteen patients were identified and as of Tuesday night (July 23), 15 had been contacted.

"There are three remaining families who have not been contacted yet because they have not answered their phone. Follow up letters, an information pack and a sample testing kit is being issued to each family. Results will be notified to the families immediately. If any child is found to be positive, the hospital will arrange to meet the family and will provide them with all the necessary information and support," the hospital said.

It emphasised that there is ‘no immediate impact on children's health' from this contamination issue, but has apologised for any distress caused.

For more information on ESBL, click here