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 2012
Temporary central venous catheter utilization patterns in a large tertiary care center: tracking the "idle central venous catheter".
Although central venous catheter (CVC) dwell time is a major risk factor for catheter-related bloodstream infections (CR-BSIs), few studies reveal how often CVCs are retained when not needed ("idle"). We describe use patterns for temporary CVCs, including peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs), on non-ICU wards. ⋯ Significant proportions of ward CVC-days were unjustified. Reducing "idle CVC-days" and facilitating the appropriate use of PIVs may reduce CVC-days and CR-BSI risk.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Jan 2012
The antimicrobial efficacy of copper alloy furnishing in the clinical environment: a crossover study.
To determine whether copper incorporated into hospital ward furnishings and equipment can reduce their surface microbial load. ⋯ Copper alloys (greater than or equal to 58% copper), when incorporated into various hospital furnishings and fittings, reduce the surface microorganisms. The use of copper in combination with optimal infection-prevention strategies may therefore further reduce the risk that patients will acquire infection in healthcare environments.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Dec 2011
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter Study"The dirty hand in the latex glove": a study of hand hygiene compliance when gloves are worn.
Wearing of gloves reduces transmission of organisms by healthcare workers' hands but is not a substitute for hand hygiene. Results of previous studies have varied as to whether hand hygiene is worse when gloves are worn. Most studies have been small and used nonstandardized assessments of glove use and hand hygiene. We sought to observe whether gloves were worn when appropriate and whether hand hygiene compliance differed when gloves were worn. ⋯ The rate of glove usage is lower than previously reported. Gloves are often worn when not indicated and vice versa. The rate of compliance with hand hygiene was significantly lower when gloves were worn. Hand hygiene campaigns should consider placing greater emphasis on the World Health Organization indications for gloving and associated hand hygiene.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Nov 2011
Randomized Controlled Trial Multicenter StudyRandomized comparison of 2 protocols to prevent acquisition of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: results of a 2-center study involving 500 patients.
To compare an interventional protocol with a standard protocol for preventing the acquisition of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in the intensive care unit (ICU). ⋯ Individual allocation to MRSA screening, isolation precautions, and decontamination do not provide individual benefit in reducing MRSA acquisition, compared with standard precautions, although the collective risk was lower during the periods of isolation.