Infection control and hospital epidemiology : the official journal of the Society of Hospital Epidemiologists of America
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Apr 2003
Natural history of colonization with vancomycin-resistant enterococci, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, and resistant gram-negative bacilli among long-term-care facility residents.
To determine the natural history of colonization with vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and resistant gram-negative bacilli among long-term-care facility (LTCF) residents. ⋯ Among LTCF residents, colonization with resistant gram-negative bacilli is four times more likely to clear than colonization with VRE or MRSA. Performance of surveillance cultures at regular intervals may reduce the need for contact precautions for LTCF residents with resistant gram-negative bacilli colonization.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Mar 2003
Multicenter StudyFactors related to hospital stay among patients with nosocomial infection acquired in the intensive care unit.
To assess the influence of nosocomial infection on length of stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) and to determine the relative effect of other factors on extra length of hospitalization associated with nosocomial infection. ⋯ The presence of nosocomial infection and the number of infection episodes were the variables with the strongest association with prolonged hospital stay among ICU patients.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Mar 2003
An investigation of the bactericidal effect of certain antiseptics and disinfectants on some hospital isolates of gram-negative bacteria.
The effect of widely used antiseptics and disinfectants on some hospital isolates of gram-negative bacteria was assessed by the quantitative suspension test Chlorhexidine gluconate (4%), savlon (1:100), and 5.25% sodium hypochlorite were tested. Savlon and chlorhexidine gluconate were effective at in-use concentrations and sodium hypochlorite was effective at 1:50 dilution.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Feb 2003
Sharps-related injuries in California healthcare facilities: pilot study results from the Sharps Injury Surveillance Registry.
In 1998, the California Department of Health Services invited all healthcare facilities in California (n = 2,532) to participate in a statewide, voluntary sharps injury surveillance project. The objectives were to determine whether a low-cost sharps registry could be established and maintained, and to evaluate the circumstances surrounding sharps injuries in California. ⋯ These data further support findings from previous studies documenting the complex and persistent nature of sharps-related injuries in healthcare workers. In the future, mandated reporting using standardized forms and consistent application of decision rules would facilitate a more thorough analysis of injury events.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Jan 2003
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialImprovement of intraoperative antibiotic prophylaxis in prolonged cardiac surgery by automated alerts in the operating room.
To assess the impact of an automated intraoperative alert to redose prophylactic antibiotics in prolonged cardiac operations. ⋯ The use of an automatic reminder system in the operating room improved compliance with guidelines on perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis.