American journal of infection control
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Am J Infect Control · Feb 2004
Incidence and outcome of nosocomial infections in female burn patients in Shiraz, Iran.
Burn patients are at risk for acquiring infection because of their destroyed skin barrier and suppressed immune system, compounded by prolonged hospitalization and invasive therapeutic and diagnostic procedures. Most studies on infection in burn patients focus on burn wound infection, whereas other nosocomial infections in this patient group are not described well. ⋯ Considering the high incidence of nosocomial infections in our center, implementation of improved infection control practices and policies is required, and a comprehensive education campaign for all health care workers is urgently needed.
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Am J Infect Control · Dec 2003
Occupational exposure to needlestick injuries and hepatitis B vaccination coverage among health care workers in Egypt.
The health care worker (HCW) is at substantial risk of acquiring bloodborne pathogen infections through exposure to blood or infectious body fluids. Hepatitis B vaccination of HCWs and optimal HCW practices regarding management of sharps can minimize these risks. This study explores the frequency of exposure to needlestick injuries and the hepatitis B vaccination coverage among HCWs in Egypt. ⋯ High rates of needlestick injuries and low vaccination coverage contribute highly to the rates of viral hepatitis infections among HCWs. Prevention of occupational infection with bloodborne pathogens should be a priority to the national program for promotion of infection control. Training of HCWs on safe handling and collection of needles and sharps, and hepatitis B vaccination of all HCWs is required to reduce transmission.
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Am J Infect Control · Dec 2003
Multicenter StudyThe attributable cost, length of hospital stay, and mortality of central line-associated bloodstream infection in intensive care departments in Argentina: A prospective, matched analysis.
Limited information is available on the financial impact of central venous catheter-associated bloodstream infection (BSI) in Argentina. To calculate the cost of BSIs in the intensive care department (ICU), a 5-year prospective nested case-control study was undertaken at 3 hospitals in Argentina. ⋯ In this study, patients with central venous catheter-associated BSI experienced significant prolongation of hospitalization, increased use of health care costs, and a higher attributable mortality. These findings support the need to implement preventative interventions for patients hospitalized with central venous catheters in Argentina.
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Am J Infect Control · Dec 2003
Resistance to the migration of microorganisms of a needle-free disinfectable connector.
The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of a disinfectable needle-free connector in reducing the pass of micro-organisms to the lumen of the catheter. A prospective, controlled, experimental trial was performed in which a laboratory model simulated the insertion of a peripheral venous catheter. ⋯ After 9 days of contamination and manipulation of the connector and cap external surfaces, 100% of bottles in the control group were contaminated whereas 60% remained sterile in the study group. The disinfectable needle-free connector showed more resistance to the pass of microorganisms than the conventional cap according to our experimental model.
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Am J Infect Control · Nov 2003
Multicenter StudyEffect of an infection control program using education and performance feedback on rates of intravascular device-associated bloodstream infections in intensive care units in Argentina.
Our aim was to ascertain the effect of an infection control program, using education and performance feedback on intensive care units, for intravascular device (IVD)-associated bloodstream infection (BSI). ⋯ Implementation of an infection control program, using education and performance feedback, resulted in significant reductions in rates of IVD-associated BSI.