Computerized colonization-surveillance based on antimicrobial susceptibility patterns.
In order to estimate the occurrence of hospital-acquired colonizations, a specific program based on antimicrobial susceptibility tests was developed for the early recognition of clusters of colonized patients. This program allowed: (a) estimation of the endemic level of nosocomial colonization every three days within an intensive care unit; (b) detection of outbreak of hospital-acquired infections; (c) distinction between primary and secondary infections according to the dates of admission and collection; (d) provision of the latest profiles of susceptibility to antimicrobials for the 5 pathogens studied (Staphylococcus aureus, S. epidermidis, Serratia spp., Pseudomonas spp., Acinetobacter spp.). This study reported the experience of a two-year trial in colonization surveillance.
Courcol
R J
RJ
Laboratoire de Bactériologie C, Hôpital A. Calmette, Lille, France.
Saulnier
F F
FF
Durocher
A V
AV
Wattel
F E
FE
Martin
G R
GR
D001431:Bacteriological Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D003201:Computers; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000382:microbiology*; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D006801:Humans; D008838:Microcomputers; D012984:Software