The role of the nurse epidemiologist in infection control and continuing education.
A university affiliated Veterans Administration Hospital had an increase in the number of serratia isolates. An epidemiologic investigation, including personnel and environmental prevalence study, helped correct errors in technique, management and judgment. A nurse epidemiologist prevented a cluster of infections from becoming an epidemic.
D003237:Connecticut; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D004756:Enterobacteriaceae Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D006797:Housekeeping, Hospital; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012706:Serratia marcescens / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014570:Urologic Diseases / Q000150:complications