Infection control and hospital epidemiology : the official journal of the Society of Hospital Epidemiologists of America
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Jun 2005
Secular trends of candidemia in a large tertiary-care hospital from 1988 to 2000: emergence of Candida parapsilosis.
To analyze the secular trends of candidemia in a large tertiary-care hospital to determine the overall incidence, as well as the incidence by ward and by species, and to detect the occurrence of outbreaks. ⋯ During this 13-year period, the incidence of candidemia remained stable in this hospital, but C. parapsilosis increased in frequency. Occasional outbreaks of candidemia suggested nosocomial transmission of Candida species.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Mar 2005
Comparative StudySurveillance and infection control in an intensive care unit.
To evaluate the effect of an infection control program on the incidence of hospital-acquired infection (HAI) and associated mortality. ⋯ Routine surveillance for HAI, coupled with new measures to prevent infections and a revised policy for antimicrobial therapy, was associated with a reduction in ICU HAls and mortality.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Mar 2005
Comparative StudyImpact of nosocomial infection on cost of illness and length of stay in intensive care units.
Economic evaluation has become increasingly important in healthcare and infection control. This study evaluated the impact of nosocomial infections on cost of illness and length of stay (LOS) in intensive care units (ICUs). ⋯ Nosocomial infections are associated with increased cost of illness and LOS. Prevention of nosocomial infections should reduce direct costs and decrease the LOS.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Mar 2005
Attitudes and perceptions toward hand hygiene among healthcare workers caring for critically ill neonates.
Infectious complications are frequent among critically ill neonates. Hand hygiene is the leading measure to prevent healthcare-associated infections, but poor compliance has been repeatedly documented, including in the neonatal setting. Hand hygiene promotion requires a complex approach that should consider personal factors affecting healthcare workers' attitudes. ⋯ Our data highlight the importance of the opinions of superiors and a strong perceived controllability over the difficulty to perform hand hygiene as possible internal factors that may influence hand hygiene compliance.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Feb 2005
Costs and outcomes among hemodialysis-dependent patients with methicillin-resistant or methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia.
Comorbid conditions have complicated previous analyses of the consequences of methicillin resistance for costs and outcomes of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. We compared costs and outcomes of methicillin resistance in patients with S. aureus bacteremia and a single chronic condition. ⋯ Community-dwelling, hemodialysis-dependent patients hospitalized with MRSA bacteremia face a higher mortality risk, longer hospital stays, and higher inpatient costs than do patients with MSSA bacteremia.