American journal of infection control
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Am J Infect Control · Jun 1999
Prescribing practice for antibiotic prophylaxis for 3 commonly performed surgeries in a teaching hospital in Brazil.
The contribution of antibiotic prophylaxis to reduce surgical wound infection for some procedures is well known. In spite of extensive knowledge about the effectiveness of antibiotic prophylaxis, its administrative regimens are often inappropriate. ⋯ The surgeons infrequently met the hospital guideline for antibiotic prophylaxis, and compliance varied by type of procedure.
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Am J Infect Control · Jun 1999
Unusual genetic heterogeneity of Acinetobacter baumannii isolates in a university hospital in Italy.
Acinetobacter baumannii has become an increasingly important nosocomial pathogen, particularly in intensive care units (ICUs). The aim of this investigation was to study the molecular epidemiology of A baumanii in a university hospital in Italy. ⋯ Whereas the sequential temporal cluster of epidemic clones in the ICU is intriguing and requires further research, the clear evidence of cross-contamination of A baumannii isolates involved with infections in the ICU demands extensive preventive efforts.
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Am J Infect Control · Apr 1999
Practice Guideline GuidelineGuideline for Prevention of Surgical Site Infection, 1999. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The "Guideline for Prevention of Surgical Site Infection, 1999" presents the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)'s recommendations for the prevention of surgical site infections (SSIs), formerly called surgical wound infections. This two-part guideline updates and replaces previous guidelines.1,2 Part I, "Surgical Site Infection: An Overview," describes the epidemiology, definitions, microbiology, pathogenesis, and surveillance of SSIs. Included is a detailed discussion of the pre-, intra-, and postoperative issues relevant to SSI genesis. ⋯ Available SSI surveillance data indicate that laparoscopic operations generally have a lower or comparable SSI risk when contrasted to open operations.6-11 SSI prevention measures applicable in open operations (e.g., open cholecystectomy) are indicated for their laparoscopic counterparts (e.g., laparoscopic cholecystectomy). Recommend specific antiseptic agents for patient preoperative skin preparations or for healthcare worker hand/forearm antisepsis. Hospitals should choose from products recommended for these activitie
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Am J Infect Control · Apr 1999
APACHE II and ISS scores as predictors of nosocomial infections in trauma patients.
Nosocomial infections affect more than 2 million patients annually in the United States at a cost of $4.5 billion. The aim of this study is to identify the role of the APACHE II score and the Injury Severity Scale (ISS) as independent predictors of nosocomial infections in trauma patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ APACHE II score and ISS score were not good predictors of the incidence of nosocomial infections in trauma patients admitted to the ICU, but the APACHE II score has a modest correlation with the duration of stay in the ICU. A stratified cohort study could identify the subset of patients for which the APACHE II score predicts a prolonged stay in the ICU, thus an increased risk of infection.