The infections, identified as endometritis, an infection of the uterine lining, occurred among new mothers at the hospital. According to multiple reports, an investigation by Region Skåne determined that a former employee who carried group A streptococci without symptoms is the probable source of the outbreak. The healthcare worker no longer works in the region.
Operations manager Charlotte Hellsten emphasized patient safety and noted that since identifying and treating a strongly suspected source of infection and implementing new hygiene routines, no new cases have occurred. The specific new hygiene routines implemented have not been disclosed, and it is unclear when exactly the infections occurred during the summer or how many of the over a hundred employees tested were found to carry the bacteria. Region Skåne has filed a Lex Maria report to the Health and Social Care Inspectorate, which is now reviewing the case.
The timeline between the infections and the identification of the source remains unspecified, and details on actions taken regarding the former employee, such as termination or treatment, have not been provided.