The Journal of hospital infection
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Comparison of triple-lumen central venous catheters impregnated with silver nanoparticles (AgTive®) vs conventional catheters in intensive care unit patients.
Silver-impregnated central venous catheters (CVCs) have been proposed as a means for preventing CVC colonization and related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs). ⋯ In critically ill patients, use of AgTive(®) silver-nanoparticle-impregnated CVCs had no significant effect on CVC colonization, CRBSI incidence or ICU mortality. These CVCs cannot be recommended as an adjunctive tool for control of CRBSIs.
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During a period of seven months four patients on the neurosurgical intensive care unit at a tertiary care hospital in Sweden became infected or colonized by an extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae strain. The investigation revealed that the source of the outbreak was a contaminated sink. By replacing the sink and its plumbing and improving routines regarding sink practices, the outbreak was successfully controlled.
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The topical use of chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) is intended to reduce bacterial density on patients' skin. ⋯ These results suggest that the use of non-rinse CHG application significantly reduces the risk of CLABSI, SSI and colonization with VRE or MRSA, but not infection.