Nosocomial bacteremia and drug theft: epidemiology finds the solution

Article Abstract:

Nosocomial infections, namely those acquired in the hospital, adversely affect not only patient health, but the financial status, accreditation, licensure, and reputation of a hospital. Another risk for a hospital is the commission of criminal acts by hospital employees, which may include substance abuse by physicians, nurses, pharmacists, or other hospital workers. A recent study reported the simultaneous occurrence of nosocomial infection and theft of narcotic-containing solutions from the operating room. The report shows the epidemiologic approach to solving the source of the nosocomial infection. First, all patients who developed bacteremia, or infection of the blood with Pseudomonas pickettii, a rare infective agent, had undergone surgery within the past 24 hours and had received intravenous fluid from a contaminated bottle. Second, it was shown that the opiate fentanyl citrate, used as part of the anesthetic regimen, was given more frequently to those patients who developed bacteremia than other surgical patients. The fentanyl solutions had been replaced with contaminated water, and hence were less potent, causing patients to need more than the usual amount. The epidemiologic approach, which includes surveillance, data analysis, and design of control measures, is important in controlling other hospital risks besides nosocomial infections. Awareness on the part of pharmacists and hospital operating room personnel of potential adulteration of anesthetic agents, and careful monitoring of drug levels in body fluids during surgery may help to curtail the theft of narcotic drugs from hospitals. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Cases, Hospitals, Crime, Drug abuse and crime, editorial

---

Transmission of a highly drug-resistant strain (strain W1) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis: community outbreak and nosocomial transmission via a contaminated bronchoscope

Article Abstract:

A contaminated bronchoscope appears to be responsible for transmitting Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacterium that causes tuberculosis. A bronchoscope is an instrument used to look inside the lungs. Between Jan, and Nov, 1995, eight cases of tuberculosis were identified in South Carolina that were caused by the same strain of the bacterium. One of the patients had a bronchoscopy in May and three more had one several weeks later at the same hospital. The only link between these four patients was the bronchoscopy procedure and close observation revealed that the equipment was not properly sterilized between procedures.

Health aspects, Causes of, Disease transmission, Tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Contamination, Endoscopes, Bronchoscopy

---

Are the epidemiology and microbiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus changing?

Article Abstract:

More research is needed to document the spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in local communities. MRSA is typically spread within hospitals and long-term care facilities. A 1998 study documented an increase in MRSA infections in children who had not been hospitalized. However, the authors only recorded hospitalization in the previous six months. Studies have shown that hospitalized children can harbor the bacterium for up to one year after discharge. In addition, some of the bacterial strains were technically not MRSA because they were susceptible to some antibiotics.

Editorial, Drug resistance in microorganisms, Microbial drug resistance, Staphylococcal infections

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Association between hypothermia and mortality rate of premature infants - revisited. Neonatal survival and disability rate at age 18 months for infants born between 23 and 28 weeks of gestation
• Abstracts: Correlation of serum antigen and antibody concentration with clinical features in HIV infection. HIV DNA blood levels in vertically infected pediatric patients: variations with age, association with disease progression, and comparison with blood levels in infected mothers
• Abstracts: Association between urinary symptoms at 7 years old and previous urinary tract infection. Ureteric sludge syndrome
• Abstracts: Support of patient autonomy in the do not resuscitate decision. Attitudes and knowledge of nurses regarding organ procurement
• Abstracts: Reye syndrome surveillance - United States, 1989. Preventing heart disease in women: another role for aspirin?

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.