On the Site:

LOCAL NEWS

Utah Woman Battles Superbug After Weight-Loss Surgery In Mexico

Jan 25, 2019, 10:27 PM | Updated: Jan 28, 2019, 9:44 am

SPANISH FORK, Utah – A Utah woman is being treated in an isolation unit at University Hospital after contracting a drug-resistant infection while undergoing weight-loss surgery in Mexico, according to the woman’s family.

Two weeks ago, Ronnie Dotson, 34, of Spanish Fork, traveled to Tijuana, Mexico, with three other women for the surgery.

Ronnie Dotson

Her family says she returned home on Jan. 14 not feeling well and that the surgical incision appeared infected. After several doctor visits confirmed the seriousness of the infection, the family took her to the hospital on Tuesday.

“Last night, they had to put her on a new antibiotic, one that is toxic, so they have to monitor her kidneys,” said Hollie Daniel, Dotson’s sister. “Up until then it didn’t seem like she was getting any better.”

The Utah Department of Health confirms that Utah is part of a cluster of surgical-site infections caused by an antibiotic-resistant form of the bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Four cases have been confirmed in Utah so far, with more being investigated.

“These infections occurred among U.S. residents who had an invasive medical procedure in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico,” the department said in a press release.

“Utah is one of several states that has cases associated with this cluster.”

Most of the cases are patients who traveled for weight-loss surgery, with half of the infections coming from Grand View Hospital in Tijuana.

“Poor infection control practices were identified at Grand View Hospital, including failure to appropriately clean and disinfect surgical instruments,” the health department’s statement went on to say.

The infections are not the only worry. According to the health department, those who have had surgical procedures in Tijuana since August 2018 should be immediately tested for blood-borne infections, including hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.

Ronnie Dotson in Hospital

Dotson’s family is hopeful the stronger antibiotic wipes out the infection but is now worried about how she’ll pay for the hospital stay.

“It costs more than it did to have the surgery done,” Dotson said of the emergency care. “Her bills are already adding up. They are really expensive.”

Dotson is uninsured and had gone across the border for surgery in order to save money.

“It’s not a better financial decision,” added another sister, Michelle Thomas. “If you get the superbug you’re having to pay thousands, thousands in doctor bills.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the Mexican government has closed the Grand View Hospital until further notice.

“CDC recommends that travelers to Mexico not have surgery (including weight-loss surgery) at Grand View Hospital in Tijuana, until the Mexican government can confirm that the drug-resistant form of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria is no longer there,” according to a statement from the CDC.

Dotson’s family has set up a GoFundMe page to help pay for Dotson’s medical bills.

KSL 5 TV Live

Local News

"Christmas Street" in Salt Lake City has been an annual tradition since 1947. In 2023, it successfu...

Andrew Adams

Successful fundraising effort helps to continue ‘Christmas Street’ tradition in SLC

With its iconic sign, "Christmas Street" on the city’s east side is once again lit up for the holidays after a successful fundraising effort facilitated some much-needed repairs.

5 hours ago

Board with Kearns High School name...

Lauren Steinbrecher

Police: Student put teacher in chokehold, attacked others in Kearns High classroom

A disturbing fight in a Kearns High School classroom Tuesday ended with a student in juvenile detention after police said the student put a teacher in a chokehold, before assaulting two other adults as they tried to free the teacher in front of students.

7 hours ago

Cell phone...

Debbie Worthen

Scammers know how to build trust; victim wants to warn others

Jessica Turner, a mother in the midst of Halloween preparations, found herself entangled in a web of deception that would leave her financial world shattered because of a fraudulent phone call.

7 hours ago

Man's picture with details about him...

Daniella Rivera

Sandy case highlights challenges tracking sex offenders who move across state lines

The KSL Investigators have been following the case of a convicted sex offender from California who moved into a Sandy neighborhood but did not show up on Utah's registry for nearly a year. Now, we don't know where he is, but we do know he's not a resident at the latest address he gave to authorities.

7 hours ago

A silver alert has been issued for Arthur Long, last seen driving a silver Kia in St. George, Utah,...

Larry D. Curtis

UPDATE: Police cancel St. George silver alert

Police are asking for help locating a missing 76-year-old Arthur Long

8 hours ago

(Frank Klein, National Park Service)...

Luke Seaver

Rockfall in Canyonlands closes White Rim Road

A large rockfall over the weekend in Canyonlands National Park has resulted in the closure of a section of the White Rim Road.

10 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Users display warnings about the use of artificial intelligence (AI), access to malicious software ...

Les Olson

How to Stay Safe from Cybersecurity Threats

Read our tips for reading for how to respond to rising cybersecurity threats in 2023 and beyond to keep yourself and your company safe.

Design mockup half in white and half in color of luxury house interior with open plan living room a...

Lighting Design

Lighting Design 101: Learn the Basics

These lighting design basics will help you when designing your home, so you can meet both practical and aesthetic needs.

an antler with large horns int he wilderness...

Three Bear Lodge

Yellowstone in the Fall: A Wildlife Spectacle Worth Witnessing

While most people travel to this park in the summer, late fall in Yellowstone provides a wealth of highlights to make a memorable experience.

a diverse group of students raising their hands in a classroom...

Little Orchard Preschool

6 Benefits of Preschool for Kids

Some of the benefits of preschool for kids include developing independence, curiosity, and learning more about the world.

Utah Woman Battles Superbug After Weight-Loss Surgery In Mexico