Infection control and hospital epidemiology : the official journal of the Society of Hospital Epidemiologists of America
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Oct 2007
Multicenter StudyDecreasing airborne contamination levels in high-risk hospital areas using a novel mobile air-treatment unit.
To evaluate the performance of a new mobile air-treatment unit that uses nonthermal-plasma reactors for lowering the airborne bioburden in critical hospital environments and reducing the risk of nosocomial infection due to opportunistic airborne pathogens, such as Aspergillus fumigatus. ⋯ Our data indicate that the mobile, nonthermal-plasma air treatment unit tested in this study can rapidly reduce the levels of airborne particles and significantly lower the airborne bioburden in high-risk hospital environments.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Oct 2007
Clinical TrialSelective use of intranasal mupirocin and chlorhexidine bathing and the incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization and infection among intensive care unit patients.
To determine whether the use of chlorhexidine bathing and intranasal mupirocin therapy among patients colonized with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) would decrease the incidence of MRSA colonization and infection among intensive care unit (ICU) patients. ⋯ We conclude that the selective use of intranasal mupirocin and daily chlorhexidine bathing for patients colonized with MRSA reduced the incidence of MRSA colonization and infection and contributed to reductions identified by active-surveillance cultures. This finding suggests that additional strategies to reduce the incidence of MRSA infection and colonization--beyond expanded surveillance--may be needed.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Sep 2007
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyValue of whole-body washing with chlorhexidine for the eradication of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial.
Whole-body washing with antiseptic solution has been widely used as part of eradication treatment for colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), but evidence for the effectiveness of this measure is limited. ⋯ Whole-body washing can reduce skin colonization, but it appears necessary to extend eradication measures to the gastrointestinal tract, wounds, and/or other colonized body sites if complete eradication is the goal.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Sep 2007
Risk factors for surgical site infection complicating laminectomy.
To examine risk factors for surgical site infection (SSI) following spinal surgery and to analyze the associations between a surgeon's years of operating experience and surgical specialty and patients' SSI risk. ⋯ Diabetes, obesity, and laminectomy at a level other than cervical are independent risk factors for SSI following laminectomy. Preoperative weight loss and tight perioperative control of blood glucose levels may reduce the risk of SSI in laminectomy patients.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Aug 2007
Catheter-associated bloodstream infections in general medical patients outside the intensive care unit: a surveillance study.
To determine the incidence of central venous catheter (CVC)-associated bloodstream infection (CA-BSI) among patients admitted to general medical wards outside the intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ Non-ICU medical wards in the study hospital had device utilization rates that were considerably lower than those of medical ICUs, but CA-BSI rates were similar to CA-BSI rates in medical ICUs in the United States. Studies of catheter utilization and on CVC insertion and care should be performed on medical wards. CA-BSI prevention strategies that have been used in ICUs should be studied on medical wards.