MOH should improve national notification, surveillance for hep C: Committee

SINGAPORE — The independent review committee led by infectious disease expert Leo Yee Sin made recommendations to both Singapore General Hospital (SGH) and the Ministry of Health (MOH) in its report released today (Dec 8) on the hepatitis C outbreak in two SGH wards earlier this year.

It said SGH should improve infection control by reviewing its standard operating procedures and practices in this area, and adhere to standard precautions and best practices. This is to further reduce risk of contamination of medical equipment and contact surfaces and to ensure adequate environmental cleaning and disinfection. The hospital should also ensure staff comply with operating procedures.

As for the MOH, the committee said it should improve the national notification and surveillance system for acute hepatitis C. There should be a team in MOH to do surveillance, and to identify and investigate potential outbreaks and to ensure adequate expertise nationally for investigations. Where required, hospitals' capabilities can be supplemented with additional resources from the national healthcare system, the committee said. 

It called for a stronger escalation and communication process for hospital associated infections, especially unusual and unfamiliar ones.

The current national surveillance system works well for community outbreaks and hospitals presently have robust frameworks for common hospital associated infections such as methicillin resistant streptococcus aureus, or MRSA, the committee said.