Infection control and hospital epidemiology : the official journal of the Society of Hospital Epidemiologists of America
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Jan 2006
Comparative Study Clinical TrialA prospective trial of a novel, silicone-based, silver-coated foley catheter for the prevention of nosocomial urinary tract infections.
To evaluate the efficacy of silicone-based, silver ion-impregnated urinary catheters in the prevention of nosocomial urinary tract infections (NUTIs). ⋯ Unlike previous trials of latex-based, silver ion-impregnated Foley catheters, we found that silicone-based, silver-impregnated Foley catheters were not effective in preventing NUTIs; however, this study was affected by differences in the study groups. Prospective trials remain important in assessing the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of new silver-coated products.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Jan 2006
Comparative StudyImpact of an infection control program in an intensive care unit in France.
To evaluate the impact of an infection control program in an intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ After implementation of an infection control program, the rate of infection with multidrug-resistant pathogens decreased, as did the mortality rate among patients with nosocomial pneumonia.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Jan 2006
Disinfection of needleless catheter connectors and access ports with alcohol may not prevent microbial entry: the promise of a novel antiseptic-barrier cap.
Needleless valve connectors for vascular catheters are widely used throughout the United States because they reduce the risk of biohazardous injuries from needlesticks and exposure to bloodborne pathogens, such as human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis C virus. Patients with long-term central venous catheters are at significant risk of acquiring catheter-related bloodstream infections caused by microbes that gain access through the connection between the administration set and the catheter or an injection port. Most healthcare practitioners wipe the membranous septum of the needleless connector or the injection port with 70% alcohol before accessing it. We report a simulation study of the efficacy of conventional alcohol disinfection before access, compared with that of a novel antiseptic-barrier cap that, when threaded onto a needleless luer-activated valved connector, allows a chlorhexidine-impregnated sponge to come into continuous contact with the membranous surface; after removal of the cap, there is no need to disinfect the surface with alcohol before accessing it. ⋯ The findings of this study show that, if the membranous septum of a needleless luer-activated connector is heavily contaminated, conventional disinfection with 70% alcohol does not reliably prevent entry of microorganisms. In contrast, the antiseptic-barrier cap provided a high level of protection, even in the presence of very heavy contamination. This novel technology deserves to be studied in a clinical trial.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Dec 2005
ReviewHair removal policies in clean surgery: systematic review of randomized, controlled trials.
To determine whether certain hair removal policies are better than others to prevent surgical-site infections in patients undergoing clean surgery. ⋯ Because of insufficient evidence as a basis for recommendations, the practical consequences for ward management were essential when the Dutch Working Party on Infection Prevention formulated its recommendations for hair removal policies. Large randomized, controlled trials are needed to determine the optimal policy for preoperative hair removal.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Dec 2005
Review Meta AnalysisPerioperative intranasal mupirocin for the prevention of surgical-site infections: systematic review of the literature and meta-analysis.
To review the evidence evaluating perioperative intranasal mupirocin for the prevention of surgical-site infections according to type of surgical procedure. ⋯ Perioperative intranasal mupirocin appears to decrease the incidence of surgical-site infection when used as prophylaxis in nongeneral surgery. Given its low risk and low cost, use of perioperative intranasal mupirocin should be considered in these settings.