Prince George's hospital center NICU set to reopen

CHEVERLY, Md. - The neonatal intensive care unit at Prince George's hospital center is set to re-open on Tuesday.

The reopening comes after a potentially deadly bacterium was found in pipes leading into the hospital and four sinks in the neonatal intensive care unit.

The NICU closed in early August after the bacterium pseudomonas was discovered. Seven babies died in the unit since the beginning of the year.

"State authorities identified some deficiencies relates to policies and performance improvement processes in the NICU," said Dr. Sherry Perkins, who has been overseeing the hospital response to the situation.

The hospital says there's no evidence that the bacteria caused the babies' deaths and that they have completed the work necessary to ensure the NICU is safe to open on Oct. 4.