Infection control and hospital epidemiology : the official journal of the Society of Hospital Epidemiologists of America
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Aug 2009
Hospital-wide methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus control program: A 5-year follow-up.
We investigated the influence of different interventions (active surveillance, contact isolation, monitoring, and rapid diagnostic testing) on the number of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bacteremia cases. An interrupted time-series analysis was used. MRSA bacteremia cases were reduced by 70% when all interventions were in place. We proved monitoring to be an essential component.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Aug 2009
Comparative StudyCost-effectiveness analysis of a silver-coated endotracheal tube to reduce the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia.
To conduct a cost-effectiveness analysis of the economic outcomes of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) prevention associated with silver-coated endotracheal tubes versus uncoated endotracheal tubes. ⋯ The silver-coated endotracheal tube represents a strategy for preventing VAP that may yield hospital savings.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Aug 2009
Investigation and control of an outbreak of Enterobacter aerogenes bloodstream infection in a neonatal intensive care unit in Fiji.
Ten neonates developed blood stream infection with extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacter aerogenes in a neonatal intensive care unit in Fiji. The source of the outbreak was traced to a bag of contaminated normal saline in the ward, which was used for multiple patients. All isolates recovered from patients were indistinguishable from the bacteria recovered from the normal saline by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The outbreak was controlled using simple infection control practices such as reinforcement of strict hand hygiene policy, provision of single use vials of normal saline, and strict aseptic technique for injections.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Jul 2009
Multicenter StudyPrevention of central venous catheter-associated bloodstream infections in pediatric intensive care units: a performance improvement collaborative.
The goal of this effort was to reduce central venous catheter (CVC)-associated bloodstream infections (BSIs) in pediatric intensive care unit (ICU) patients by means of a multicenter evidence-based intervention. ⋯ We conclude that our collaborative quality improvement project demonstrated that significant reduction in CVC-associated BSI rates and related costs can be realized by means of evidence-based prevention interventions, enhanced communication among caregivers, standardization of CVC insertion and maintenance processes, enhanced measurement, and empowerment of team members to enforce adherence to best practices.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Jul 2009
Topical therapy for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus colonization: impact on infection risk.
We evaluated the usefulness of topical decolonization therapy for reducing the risk of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection among MRSA-colonized inpatients. ⋯ Mupirocin-based decolonization therapy temporarily reduced the risk of continued colonization but did not decrease the risk of subsequent infection.