A national survey of infection prevention practices on bone marrow transplant units.
OBJECTIVE
To identify and describe bone marrow transplant (BMT)-specific infection prevention measures in the United States.


METHODS
Survey design using a mailed questionnaire.


METHODS
BMT programs across the United States.


METHODS
91 BMT programs (80.5% response rate).


METHODS
A questionnaire containing both closed- and open-ended items was mailed to identified nurse contacts following introductory phone calls. Descriptive statistics were computed on responses to closed-ended questions; content analysis was performed on responses to open-ended questions.


RESULTS
Although all programs used some type of protected environment, practices varied considerably. Wide variation existed in cover-garment and hand-washing practices, regardless of the type of protected environment in use. Other protective measures included skin decontamination (69%), gut decontamination with oral nonabsorbable antibiotics (30%), antifungal therapy (73%), acyclovir therapy (82%), immunotherapy (73%), granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor therapy (58%), and modified microbial diets (66%). Numerous mouth care regimens, visitor and patient precautions, and environmental maintenance routines were described.


CONCLUSIONS
Little standardization of infection-prevention practices exists nationwide.


CONCLUSIONS
Efforts should be made to test the cost effectiveness and benefits of the various measures in use prior to the development of national standards.
Poe
S S
SS
Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, MD.
Larson
E
E
McGuire
D
D
Krumm
S
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D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016026:Bone Marrow Transplantation / Q000451:nursing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents