Infection control and hospital epidemiology : the official journal of the Society of Hospital Epidemiologists of America
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Dec 1996
Clinical Trial Controlled Clinical TrialReduction of surgical-site infections in cardiothoracic surgery by elimination of nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus.
To test the hypothesis that perioperative elimination of nasal carriage of Staphylococcus aureus using mupirocin nasal ointment reduces the surgical-site infection (SSI) rate in cardiothoracic surgery. ⋯ The results of this study indicate that perioperative elimination of nasal carriage using mupirocin nasal ointment significantly reduces the SSI rate in cardiothoracic surgery patients and warrants a prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled efficacy trial. This preventive measure may be beneficial in other categories of surgical patients as well.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Jan 1996
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialProspective, randomized study of ventilator-associated pneumonia in patients with one versus three ventilator circuit changes per week.
To assess the effect on the rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) of decreasing the frequency of ventilator circuit changes from three times to once per week. ⋯ Decreasing the frequency of ventilator circuit changes from three times to once per week had no adverse effect on the overall rate of VAP. Less frequent ventilator circuit changes may decrease the incidence of VAP among patients ventilated for no more than 1 week. However, the incidence of VAP may be higher among patients with once weekly circuit changes ventilated for more than 1 week.
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Four infections were identified among 4,832 patients receiving epidural analgesia (an attack rate of 0.08%). The infections involved cesarean-section patients and occurred within a 9-month period. Findings suggest that the risk of infection is decreased by maintaining a closed system for the duration of the analgesia course.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Dec 1995
A pseudoepidemic of Rhodotorula rubra: a marker for microbial contamination of the bronchoscope.
Rhodotorula rubra was isolated from bronchoscopy specimens from 11 patients. An investigation of the bronchoscopy equipment and the bronchoscopy suite revealed contamination of the suction channel with R rubra, as well as potentially pathogenic bacteria. Disinfection control methods included gas sterilization of the bronchoscope and the institution of an alcohol and air flush through the suction channel to allow complete drying of the scope between each patient use. We have had no further isolates of R rubra from bronchoscopy specimens since these measures were instituted, and repeat cultures from the suction channel have been negative.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Oct 1995
Comparative StudyAn outbreak of needlestick injuries in hospital employees due to needles piercing infectious waste containers.
To investigate the cause of an outbreak of needlestick injuries (NSIs) in hospital employees. ⋯ A program for infectious waste disposal using fiberboard CMCs can be safe and cost-effective if appropriate standards for puncture resistance are met.