Infection control and hospital epidemiology : the official journal of the Society of Hospital Epidemiologists of America
-
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Dec 2004
Rapid creation of a temporary isolation ward for patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome in Taiwan.
To rapidly establish a temporary isolation ward to handle an unexpected sudden outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and to evaluate the implementation of exposure control measures by healthcare workers (HCWs) for SARS patients. ⋯ Despite the use of full personal protection equipment, the facility failed to totally prevent exposures of HCWs to SARS but minimized the risk of nosocomial transmission. Better training and improvements in infection control infrastructure may limit the impact of SARS.
-
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Nov 2004
Characteristics of long-term-care facility residents associated with receipt of influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations.
Studies have found residency in long-term-care facilities (LTCFs) a risk factor for influenza and pneumonia and have demonstrated that vaccinations against these diseases reduce the risk of disease. However, rates are below Healthy People 2010 goals of 90% for LTCFs. During 1999-2002, a multi-state demonstration project was conducted in LTCFs to implement standing orders programs for immunizations. ⋯ The variation in baseline vaccination coverage associated with LTCF resident characteristics supports the need for strategies to increase vaccination coverage in LTCFs.
-
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Nov 2004
Concurrent summer influenza and pertussis outbreaks in a nursing home in Sydney, Australia.
To report on the investigation of a summer outbreak of acute respiratory illness among residents of a Sydney nursing home. ⋯ The investigation revealed an unusual summer outbreak of influenza A concurrent with subclinical pertussis infection. Surveillance of acute respiratory illness in nursing homes throughout the year, rather than solely during epidemic periods, in combination with appropriate public health laboratory support, would allow initiation of a timely public health response to outbreaks of acute respiratory illness in this setting.
-
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Oct 2004
A cluster of nosocomial Klebsiella oxytoca bloodstream infections in a university hospital.
On February 19, 2003, four patients (patients 1-4) in the neurology ward underwent cranial magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) and developed fever within 1 hour afterward. Klebsiella oxytoca was isolated from blood cultures of patients 1 through 3. ⋯ We speculate that normal saline solution became contaminated during manipulation and that successive uses might have been responsible for this cluster. Poor aseptic techniques employed during successive uses appear to be the most likely route of contamination. Use of parenteral solutions for multiple patients was discontinued.
-
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Oct 2004
Control of Enterobacteriaceae producing extended-spectrum beta-lactamase in intensive care units: rectal screening may not be needed in non-epidemic situations.
To evaluate the usefulness of screening cultures in the control of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Enterobacteriaceae in intensive care units (ICUs). ⋯ The low prevalence of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae carriers on admission (0.45%) and the relative ineffectiveness of our screening test to detect imported cases suggest that systematic detection of ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae in ICU patients is not cost-effective and that the use of clinical cultures may be sufficient to control ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae in non-epidemic situations.