Staff missed signs of sickness

HOSPITAL staff missed sickness warning signs in a baby suspected of being the youngest victim of the deadly superbug MRSA, an inquest heard yesterday.

Luke Day died aged 36 hours at Ipswich Hospital in February 2005.

Traces of MRSA were found in his organs but experts disagreed if MRSA was the cause of death, the inquest heard.

Coroner Peter Dean said there was evidence Luke was showing signs of illness 20 hours after being born, something which should have set off alarm bells.

Members of Luke’s family were at the inquest to hear details of the care the baby received and of medical evidence found by experts.

Dr Dean said Luke was born shortly before 7am on February 2, 2005.

Shortly after 2am the following day the baby was “grunting” and tests showed his blood sugar and his temperature were low. Dr Dean said a hospital inquiry had concluded Luke’s symptoms should have caused staff to review his condition. The inquiry concluded there was “no over-arching co-ordination” of Luke’s care.

“Had warning signs been followed, we cannot say for certain that the outcome would have been different,” said Dr Dean.

“But at least the chances would have been better.”

The inquest was told a pathologist had found MRSA in Luke’s lungs, heart and spleen.

Experts agreed the baby had died as a result of infection but could not be sure if the infection was caused by MRSA, the inquest heard.