Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in a neonatal intensive care unit.
This report describes a cluster of nosocomial infections with Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a neonatal intensive care nursery. All 5 cases of P aeruginosa infection were clustered in September 1999. Aggressive infection control measures were instituted, including installation of a user-friendly handwashing soap and environmental cleaning. On the basis of the finding of persistent dirty equipment, a new full-time position was created that was dedicated to equipment cleaning. These measures were effective in eliminating the cluster. The nursery has remained free of P aeruginosa infection for more than 2 years, attesting to the success of our program.
Zafar
Abdul B
AB
Prince George's Hospital Center, Cheverly, MD 20785, USA.
Sylvester
Linda K
LK
Beidas
Sary O
SO
D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D004197:Disease Reservoirs; D004202:Disinfectants / Q000494:pharmacology; D004866:Equipment Contamination / Q000517:prevention & control; D005976:Glutaral / Q000494:pharmacology; D006225:Hand / Q000382:microbiology; D006235:Hand Disinfection; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007235:Infant, Premature, Diseases / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D017053:Infection Control / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal; D010564:Personnel, Hospital; D011552:Pseudomonas Infections / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D011550:Pseudomonas aeruginosa / Q000187:drug effects / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D004202:Disinfectants; D005976:Glutaral