Downstroke

Infection investigation: On the heels of a citizens group’s outcry and a critical state inspection, Enloe Medical Center is making some changes to how it guards against infections and reports its efforts.

The Department of Health Services (DHS) visited Enloe in August, likely after receiving complaints, and this week released a report that found an increase of one type of infection, along with poor tracking of infections and incomplete documentation of infection-prevention measures. There were also a few cleanliness issues.

“When DHS comes into the hospital for a focused inspection, you expect them to find something,” said Enloe Spokesperson Ann Prater. Most of the report, she said, “was, ‘Enloe, you have a documentation problem.’”

Prater said the hospital is proud that its surgical-site infection rate, at 1.5 percent, is less than the national average of 2.6 percent. Enloe is not required to release an overall infection rate, and Prater said it would be misleading to do so.

She also said that the 584 cases of infections with Methicillin-resistant bacteria recorded by Enloe over seven months, a large increase, is indicative of a nationwide trend due to people overusing antibiotics. “This is not an Enloe problem,” she said.

Enloe has responded to infection concerns by hiring an expert consultant, who has made recommendations for improvement, such as handwashing education. “We have numerous different initiatives underway to get better,” Prater said.

Train claims another: The Butte County Sheriff’s Office identified the man found dead on the train tracks south of Hegan Lane last week as Michael Shawn Fifita, 20, of Chico. Fifita was apparently struck by a train, but little else is known as to why he was on the tracks or whether alcohol or drugs were involved. An autopsy and a toxicology report are pending.

Squirrel hunter drowns in Sac River: A squirrel hunt ended in tragedy last week for a Willows man who drowned in the Sacramento River Sunday when his boat capsized near Corning. Khonsavan Thiedsouvan, 51, was on the river with two other men, apparently hunting for squirrels on the small islands that dot the river, when the boat they were in flipped over. Thiedsouvan’s companions were able to swim to shore but the current proved too strong for him, and he was found the next day by a Tehama County Sheriff’s search team.

Paradise cops search for missing woman: Paradise police are searching for leads in the disappearance of Stacy Lyn Pool, 48, of Paradise, who was reported missing Nov. 25. Pool’s car was found two days later abandoned on a dirt road off Highway 32 in Forest Ranch. The car had apparently been there since Thursday night, police believe. Pool, a white woman, 5-foot, 3-inches, 130 pounds wearing a purple skirt and brown coat, was last seen near the Winco supermarket in Chico on Nov. 21.

Tipsters are encouraged to call PPD at 872-6241.