No Evidence in Salmonella Food Poisoning
After intensive investigation, the source of a salmonella outbreak at the Broughton Hall nursing home will probably never be known as the microbiological tests on suspect food and water samples were all negative.
Due to the long delay between notifications as well as the major clean-up of the area, all evidence of the source is gone.
According to Victoria’s acting Chief Health Officer, Dr John Carnie, says:
“More than 40 food and water samples were tested, as well as equipment used for preparing food in the kitchen,”
One sample taken from a batch of eggs did test positive for salmonella, Dr Carnie said, but it was not the same strain that caused the gastroenteritis outbreak.
“Also, these eggs were not from the same batch consumed prior to the outbreak,” he said.
Although the faecal samples taken from all 11 residents have tested positive for the salmonella, it was not the same strain as the egg. These did not include samples taken from the five residents whose deaths have been linked to the outbreak.
The risk of water being contaminated with salmonella is extremely rare and as a precaution they have only now being allowed to again drink water from the mains supply.
Sharon Callister, chief executive of Benetas, which runs Broughton Hall, said she was relieved at the test results.
“All of the residents affected by the outbreak are stable, recovering well and no longer showing symptoms,” she said.
“We are currently working with the council on the necessary steps needed to reopen the kitchen at Broughton Hall and, again, the residents are looking forward to that happening.”
A Health Department spokesman said it was still most likely that the salmonella outbreak had originated in food prepared in the home’s kitchen. “Just because we haven’t found anything, the epidemiology still points to something that was present in the kitchen at a point in time,” he said.
The contaminated food which was the only evidence is likely to have been eaten or thrown out, he said.
Earlier this week federal Minister for Ageing Christopher Pyne released the results of an independent audit of Broughton Hall. It found the home had failed 12 out of 44 safety benchmarks, including infection control, continence management and nutrition and hydration. This is very poor management.
Here’s is the offical press release:
Minister for Ageing must ensure consistency of standards
Minister Pyne must explain the inconsistencies in the aged care accreditation process after his statement today showed that Broughton Hall was non-compliant on 12 out of 44 Accreditation Outcomes although the facility passed all 44 out of 44 a year ago. These findings come after an audit by the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency. The last assessment of Broughton Hall was in April 2006. “The Minister for Ageing is responsible for the operation and standards of Australia’s 3000 aged care facilities. It is his responsibility to ensure facilities are complaint with all 44 Accreditation Outcomes.
“The Minister was informed about the incidence at Broughton Hall on Saturday 14 April and it took him till 18 April to do anything about it. The Minister needs to explain why it took him so long to take any action,” Senator McLucas said.
“Why is it that every time there has been an aged care incident reported in the media the Agency will visit and find a facility has failed several Accreditation Outcomes but only a short time previously it would have been given a clean bill of health?
“There is a view in the sector that there is inconsistency in the application of the accreditation standards. The Minister must now respond to that community concern and give an assurance that systems are in place so the public can be assured standards are consistent and reliable in Australia’s aged care facilities.”
Senator McLucas extended her condolences to the families of those who died in the outbreak of gastroenteritis in Broughton Hall Nursing Home, and her best wishes for the recovery of those currently hospitalized.
Contact: Senator Jan McLucas 0407 169 206
Heather Witham 0417 010 734
