The Role Played by Contaminated Surfaces in the Transmission of Nosocomial Pathogens

2011 ◽  
Vol 32 (7) ◽  
pp. 687-699 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan A. Otter ◽  
Saber Yezli ◽  
Gary L. French
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Healthcare Associated Infections ◽  
Infection Rates ◽  
Nosocomial Pathogens ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci ◽  
Environmental Surface ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant ◽  
Healthcare Associated ◽  
Cleaning And Disinfection ◽  
Endemic Transmission

Studies in the 1970s and 1980s suggested that environmental surface contamination played a negligible role in the endemic transmission of healthcare-associated infections. However, recent studies have demonstrated that several major nosocomial pathogens are shed by patients and contaminate hospital surfaces at concentrations sufficient for transmission, survive for extended periods, persist despite attempts to disinfect or remove them, and can be transferred to the hands of healthcare workers. Evidence is accumulating that contaminated surfaces make an important contribution to the epidemic and endemic transmission ofClostridium difficile,vancomycin-resistant enterococci, methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa,and norovirus and that improved environmental decontamination contributes to the control of outbreaks. Efforts to improve environmental hygiene should include enhancing the efficacy of cleaning and disinfection and reducing the shedding of pathogens. Further high-quality studies are needed to clarify the role played by surfaces in nosocomial transmission and to determine the effectiveness of different interventions in reducing associated infection rates.

scholarly journals A nosocomial cluster of vancomycin resistant enterococci among COVID-19 patients in an intensive care unit

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stefanie Kampmeier ◽  
Hauke Tönnies ◽  
Carlos L. Correa-Martinez ◽  
Alexander Mellmann ◽  
Vera Schwierzeck
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Whole Genome Sequence ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Healthcare Associated Infections ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant ◽  
Healthcare Associated

Abstract Background Currently, hospitals have been forced to divert substantial resources to cope with the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. It is unclear if this situation will affect long-standing infection prevention practices and impact on healthcare associated infections. Here, we report a nosocomial cluster of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) that occurred on a COVID-19 dedicated intensive care unit (ICU) despite intensified contact precautions during the current pandemic. Whole genome sequence-based typing (WGS) was used to investigate genetic relatedness of VRE isolates collected from COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 patients during the outbreak and to compare them to environmental VRE samples. Methods Five VRE isolated from patients (three clinical and two screening samples) as well as 11 VRE and six vancomycin susceptible Enterococcus faecium (E. faecium) samples from environmental sites underwent WGS during the outbreak investigation. Isolate relatedness was determined using core genome multilocus sequence typing (cgMLST). Results WGS revealed two genotypic distinct VRE clusters with genetically closely related patient and environmental isolates. The cluster was terminated by enhanced infection control bundle strategies. Conclusions Our results illustrate the importance of continued adherence to infection prevention and control measures during the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent VRE transmission and healthcare associated infections.

Legislative Mandates for Use of Active Surveillance Cultures to Screen for Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureusand Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci: Position Statement From the Joint SHEA and APIC Task Force

2007 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 249-260 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen G. Weber ◽  
Susan S. Huang ◽  
Shannon Oriola ◽  
W. Charles Huskins ◽  
Gary A. Noskin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Active Surveillance ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Position Statement ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Healthcare Associated Infections ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci ◽  
Surveillance Cultures ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant ◽  
State And Local ◽  
Healthcare Associated

Legislation aimed at controlling antimicrobial-resistant pathogens through the use of active surveillance cultures to screen hospitalized patients has been introduced in at least 2 US states. In response to the proposed legislation, the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) and the Association of Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC) have developed this joint position statement. Both organizations are dedicated to combating healthcare-associated infections with a wide array of methods, including the use of active surveillance cultures in appropriate circumstances. This position statement reviews the proposed legislation and the rationale for use of active surveillance cultures, examines the scientific evidence supporting the use of this strategy, and discusses a number of unresolved issues surrounding legislation mandating use of active surveillance cultures. The following 5 consensus points are offered. (1) Although reducing the burden of antimicrobial-resistant pathogens, including methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), is of preeminent importance, APIC and SHEA do not support legislation to mandate use of active surveillance cultures to screen for MRSA, VRE, or other antimicrobial-resistant pathogens. (2) SHEA and APIC support the continued development, validation, and application of efficacious and cost-effective strategies for the prevention of infections caused by MRSA, VRE, and other antimicrobial-resistant and antimicrobial-susceptible pathogens. (3) APIC and SHEA welcome efforts by healthcare consumers, together with private, local, state, and federal policy makers, to focus attention on and formulate solutions for the growing problem of antimicrobial resistance and healthcare-associated infections. (4) SHEA and APIC support ongoing additional research to determine and optimize the appropriateness, utility, feasibility, and cost-effectiveness of using active surveillance cultures to screen both lower-risk and high-risk populations. (5) APIC and SHEA support stronger collaboration between state and local public health authorities and institutional infection prevention and control experts.

Search and You Will Find: Detecting Extended-Spectrum β-Lactamase–Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae from a Patient's Immediate Environment

2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 534-536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Judge ◽  
Sandra Galvin ◽  
Liam Burke ◽  
Toney Thomas ◽  
Hilary Humphreys ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
High Rate ◽  
Gram Negative Bacteria ◽  
Healthcare Associated Infection ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci ◽  
Extended Spectrum ◽  
Skin Colonization ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant ◽  
Healthcare Associated

Contamination of inanimate surfaces contributes to the transmission of healthcare-associated infection, a phenomenon that is well documented for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). The high rate of skin colonization with these bacteria among healthcare workers increases the risk of cross contamination via high-touch surfaces. Since gram-negative bacteria are believed to survive poorly on surfaces, their role in the transmission of infection has not been investigated as widely. Extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE) are widespread and endemic in nosocomial settings. Given the increasing prevalence of infections involving ESBL-PE, the role of the environment in ESBL-PE transmission should be explored. This study reports the evaluation of 2 ESBL-PE recovery methods from typical hospital surface materials and their application for recovery of ESBL-PE adjacent to an ESBL-positive patient.

Microbial bioburden of inpatient and outpatient areas beyond patient hospital rooms

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Cadnum ◽  
Basya S. Pearlmutter ◽  
Annette L. Jencson ◽  
Hanan Haydar ◽  
Michelle T. Hecker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Pathogens ◽  
Outpatient Clinics ◽  
Acinetobacter Baumanii ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Fluorescent Markers ◽  
Clostridioides Difficile ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant ◽  
Healthcare Associated ◽  
Cleaning And Disinfection ◽  
Surgery Center

Abstract Objective: To investigate the frequency of environmental contamination in hospital areas outside patient rooms and in outpatient healthcare facilities. Design: Culture survey. Setting: This study was conducted across 4 hospitals, 4 outpatient clinics, and 1 surgery center. Methods: We conducted 3 point-prevalence culture surveys for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, Clostridioides difficile, Candida spp, and gram-negative bacilli including Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumanii, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia in each facility. In hospitals, high-touch surfaces were sampled from radiology, physical therapy, and mobile equipment and in emergency departments, waiting rooms, clinics, and endoscopy facilities. In outpatient facilities, surfaces were sampled in exam rooms including patient and provider areas, patient bathrooms, and waiting rooms and from portable equipment. Fluorescent markers were placed on high-touch surfaces and removal was assessed 1 day later. Results: In the hospitals, 110 (9.4%) of 1,195 sites were positive for 1 or more bacterial pathogens (range, 5.3%–13.7% for the 4 hospitals) and 70 (5.9%) were positive for Candida spp (range, 3.7%–5.9%). In outpatient facilities, 31 of 485 (6.4%) sites were positive for 1 or more bacterial pathogens (range, 2% to 14.4% for the 5 outpatient facilities) and 50 (10.3%) were positive for Candida spp (range, 3.9%–23.3%). Fluorescent markers had been removed from 33% of sites in hospitals (range, 28.4%–39.7%) and 46.3% of sites in outpatient clinics (range, 7.4%–82.8%). Conclusions: Surfaces in hospitals outside patient rooms and in outpatient facilities are frequently contaminated with healthcare-associated pathogens. Improvements in cleaning and disinfection practices are needed to reduce contamination.

Timing and route of contamination of hospitalized patient rooms with healthcare-associated pathogens

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Sarah N. Redmond ◽  
Basya S. Pearlmutter ◽  
Yilen K. Ng-Wong ◽  
Heba Alhmidi ◽  
Jennifer L. Cadnum ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pathogen Detection ◽  
Veterans Affairs ◽  
Portable Equipment ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Clostridioides Difficile ◽  
Bacteriophage Ms2 ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci ◽  
Observational Cohort ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant ◽  
Healthcare Associated

Abstract Objective: To investigate the timing and routes of contamination of the rooms of patients newly admitted to the hospital. Design: Observational cohort study and simulations of pathogen transfer. Setting: A Veterans’ Affairs hospital. Participants: Patients newly admitted to the hospital with no known carriage of healthcare-associated pathogens. Methods: Interactions between the participants and personnel or portable equipment were observed, and cultures of high-touch surfaces, floors, bedding, and patients’ socks and skin were collected for up to 4 days. Cultures were processed for Clostridioides difficile, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). Simulations were conducted with bacteriophage MS2 to assess plausibility of transfer from contaminated floors to high-touch surfaces and to assess the effectiveness of wearing slippers in reducing transfer. Results: Environmental cultures became positive for at least 1 pathogen in 10 (59%) of the 17 rooms, with cultures positive for MRSA, C. difficile, and VRE in the rooms of 10 (59%), 2 (12%), and 2 (12%) participants, respectively. For all 14 instances of pathogen detection, the initial site of recovery was the floor followed in a subset of patients by detection on sock bottoms, bedding, and high-touch surfaces. In simulations, wearing slippers over hospital socks dramatically reduced transfer of bacteriophage MS2 from the floor to hands and to high-touch surfaces. Conclusions: Floors may be an underappreciated source of pathogen dissemination in healthcare facilities. Simple interventions such as having patients wear slippers could potentially reduce the risk for transfer of pathogens from floors to hands and high-touch surfaces.

scholarly journals Discontinuation of Reflex Testing of Stool Samples for Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci Resulted in Increased Prevalence

2013 ◽  
Vol 34 (8) ◽  
pp. 838-840 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mandy Bodily ◽  
Kathleen M. McMullen ◽  
Anthony J. Russo ◽  
Nupur D. Kittur ◽  
Joan Hoppe-Bauer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cost Benefit Analysis ◽  
Hospital Costs ◽  
Cost Benefit ◽  
Benefit Analysis ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Reflex Testing ◽  
Stool Samples ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant ◽  
Healthcare Associated

Discontinuation of reflex testing of stool submitted forClostridium difficiletesting for vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) led to an increase in the number of patients with healthcare-associated VRE bacteremia and bacteriuria (0.21 vs 0.36 cases per 1,000 patient-days;P< .01). Cost-benefit analysis showed reflex screening and isolation of VRE reduced hospital costs.

scholarly journals Role of pulsed-xenon ultraviolet light in reducing healthcare-associated infections: a systematic review and meta-analysis

2020 ◽  
Vol 148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhenhong Dong ◽  
Na Zhou ◽  
Guijuan Liu ◽  
Li Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Ultraviolet Light ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Pooled Analysis ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Healthcare Associated Infections ◽  
Infection Rates ◽  
Healthcare Settings ◽  
Meta Regression Analysis ◽  
Healthcare Associated

Abstract Pulsed-xenon-ultraviolet light (PX-UVL) is increasingly used as a supplemental disinfection method in healthcare settings. We undertook a systematic search of the literature through several databases and conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of PX-UVL in reducing healthcare-associated infections. Eleven studies were included in the systematic review and nine in the meta-analysis. Pooled analysis of seven studies with before-after data indicated a statistically significant reduction of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) rates with the use of the PX-UVL (incidence rate ratio (IRR): 0.73, 95% CI 0.57–0.94, I2 = 72%, P = 0.01), and four studies reported a reduction of risk of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections (IRR: 0.79, 95% CI 0.64–0.98, I2 = 35%, P = 0.03). However, a further four trials found no significant reduction in vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) infection rates (IRR: 0.80, 95% CI 0.63–1.01, I2 = 60%, P = 0.06). The results for CDI and MRSA proved unstable on sensitivity analysis. Meta-regression analysis did not demonstrate any influence of study duration or intervention duration on CDI rates. We conclude that the use of PX-UVL, in addition to standard disinfection protocols, may help to reduce the incidence of CDI and MRSA but not VRE infection rates. However, the quality of evidence is not high, with unstable results and wide confidence intervals, and further high-quality studies are required to supplement the current evidence.

scholarly journals Draft Genome Sequence of a Vancomycin-Resistant and Vancomycin-Dependent Enterococcus faecium Isolate

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion Blaschitz ◽  
Sarah Lepuschitz ◽  
Laura Wagner ◽  
Franz Allerberger ◽  
Alexander Indra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Genome Sequence ◽  
Enterococcus Faecium ◽  
Prolonged Exposure ◽  
Draft Genome ◽  
Vancomycin Resistance ◽  
Draft Genome Sequence ◽  
Nosocomial Pathogens ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant ◽  
Faecium Isolate

Vancomycin-resistant enterococci have emerged as major nosocomial pathogens worldwide. While antimicrobial pressure promotes nosocomial colonization with these enterococci, prolonged exposure to vancomycin may foster the transition from vancomycin resistance to vancomycin dependence. Here, we report the draft genome sequence of a vancomycin-dependent Enterococcus faecium isolate showing partial teicoplanin dependence.

scholarly journals Detection of Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureusand Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci on the Gowns and Gloves of Healthcare Workers

2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (7) ◽  
pp. 583-589 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graham M. Snyder ◽  
Kerri A. Thorn ◽  
Jon P. Furuno ◽  
Eli N. Perencevich ◽  
Mary-Claire Roghmann ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Routine Care ◽  
Inpatient Setting ◽  
Jejunostomy Tube ◽  
Endoscopic Gastrostomy ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant Enterococci ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Vancomycin Resistant

Objective.To assess the rate of and the risk factors for the detection of methicillin-resistantS. aureus(MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) on the protective gowns and gloves of healthcare workers (HCWs).Methods.We observed the interactions between HCWs and patients during routine clinical activities in a 29-bed medical intensive care unit at the University of Maryland Medical Center, an urban tertiary care academic hospital. Samples for culture were obtained from HCWs' hands prior to their entering a patient's room, from HCWs' disposable gowns and gloves after they completed patient care activities, and from HCWs' hands immediately after they removed their protective gowns and gloves.Results.Of 137 HCWs caring for patients colonized or infected with MRSA and/or VRE, 24 (17.5%; 95% confidence interval, 11.6%–24.4%) acquired the organism on their gloves, gown, or both. HCW contact with the endotracheal tube or tracheostomy site of a patient (P< .05), HCW contact with the head and/or neck of a patient (P< .05), and HCW presence in the room of a patient with a percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy and/or jejunostomy tube (P< .05) were associated with an increased risk of acquiring these organisms.Conclusions.The gloves and gowns of HCWs frequently become contaminated with MRSA and VRE during the routine care of patients, and particularly during care of the patient's respiratory tract and any associated indwelling devices. As part of a larger infection control strategy, including high-compliance hand disinfection, they likely provide a useful barrier to transmitting antibiotic-resistant organisms among patients in an inpatient setting.

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