title: What does ESBL mean, and why does my patient require contact isolation?
abstract: The purpose of this article is to educate the reader on extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing bacteria and why contact isolation practices are necessary within a health care facility to prevent the spread of these bacteria, which can potentially cause life-threatening infections. Recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are discussed, including isolation practices utilized at a multihospital health care system.
authors.affiliation: Regional Quality Infection Prevention, Southeast Baptist Hospital Intensive Care Units, Baptist Health System, San Antonio, Texas 78222, USA. dmlangfo@baptisthealthsystem.com
authors.forename: Denise
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Langford
authors.forename: Valarie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Williams
mesh_terms: D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000382:microbiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D003422:Critical Care; D003428:Cross Infection / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D010356:Patient Isolation; D018440:beta-Lactam Resistance