Mycobacterium Chimaera

If you have received a letter from the Wesley Hospital about Mycobacterium Chimaera, here are some useful links that may give you more background information and answer any questions you may have.

This link from Queensland Health includes a useful explanatory video: https://www.health.qld.gov.au/news-events/news/160823-mycobacterium-chimaera

Here is the downloadable PDF from Queensland health that summarises the information.

Here is the link from the TGA with more detailed information: https://www.tga.gov.au/alert/infections-associated-heater-cooler-devices

Since heater cooler units were discovered to be conducive to the growth of Mycobacterium chimaera, several control measures have been undertaken, including modification to the machines, a routine cleaning regimen, a routine testing regimen, and storage and use in a different location. Heater cooler units were moved into a separate room to the operating theatre connecting to the heart lung machine via piping that is run into the operating theatre from the separate room, reducing the risk of spread to anyone within the operating theatre. The risk of infection was very low (<1:1000) prior to these changes, and it is thought to be even lower with the changes made, even if a positive culture is found on routine testing.