[Water as a reservoir for nosocomial infections in health care facilities, prevention and control].
New epidemiological and microbiological investigations using molecular typing methods to link patient and environmental strains demonstrate a strong association between water-borne pathogens and nosocomial infections. Avoiding patient exposure to these pathogens results in a decreased incidence of water-borne nosocomial infections. There remains a tremendous potential to reduce hospital acquired infections previously viewed as inevitable and unavoidable through intervention and preventive measures. The characteristics of water application in health care facilities, the vulnerability of patients, the spectrum of relevant pathogens and their ecologic aspects, legal issues and important measures for prevention and control are discussed.
Exner
M
M
Institut für Hygiene und Offentliche Gesundheit der Universität Bonn, Bonn, BRD. martin.exner@ukb.uni-bonn.de
Kramer
A
A
Kistemann
T
T
Gebel
J
J
Engelhart
S
S
D018441:Biofilms / Q000254:growth & development; D015169:Colony Count, Microbial / Q000592:standards; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000382:microbiology*; D005858:Germany; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D006268:Health Facilities / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D012307:Risk Factors; D014871:Water Microbiology / Q000592:standards*; D014881:Water Supply / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000592:standards