Reduction of nosocomial infection during pediatric intensive care by protective isolation

Article Abstract:

The investigation studied whether the number of bacterial and fungal infections caught by children in hospital can be reduced by staff use of disposable, nonwoven, polypropylene gowns and nonsterile latex gloves. All the children had normally functioning immune systems, but required mechanical breathing assistance and three or more days of intensive care. The same risk factors increased the rate of infection in both children being treated by staff taking the extra precautions (isolated) and in those treated traditionally. Bacteria or fungus colonies formed later in isolated patients, at an average of twelve rather than seven days. These colonies led to infection in twelve of the non-isolated patients, but only two of the isolated patients. Isolated patients took longer to come down with their first infection, taking an average of twenty, rather than eight days. Their daily infection rate was half that of non-isolated patients, and they spent fewer days with a fever. Isolation was most beneficial after at least seven days of intensive care. Isolation was well tolerated by patients and their families. The patients were often touched and handled by hospital personnel and family members. Thus, disposable gowns and gloves which form a good barrier against microorganisms significantly reduce infections caught in hospital for children who require prolonged intensive care.

Methods, Management, Prevention, Pediatric intensive care, Isolation (Hospital care), Patient isolation, Nosocomial infections in children

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Nosocomial Pseudomonas pickettii bacteremias traced to narcotic tampering: a case for selective drug screening of health care personnel

Article Abstract:

The bacterial organism Pseudomonas pickettii has rarely been detected as a cause of disease in man. Cases are reported of three patients who developed bacteremia, or infection of the blood, with P. pickettii shortly after surgery. Six other patients were inadvertently given intravenous fluids that had been contaminated with this microorganism, but they did not become ill. All nine patients had undergone surgery and received the narcotic agent fentanyl citrate as part of their anesthetic regimen. An additional nine of 19 surgical patients had also received fentanyl, but at a lower dose than the nine case patients. An investigation showed that 20 of the 50 syringes that were supposed to contain fentanyl citrate had water contaminated with P. pickettii. It was presumed that the fentanyl contained in the 20 contaminated syringes had been stolen. This report shows that theft of narcotics by health care personnel may result in patients suffering needless pain and other unexpected consequences, such as hospital-acquired bacteremia. It is recommended that health care personnel should be tested for drugs when drug abuse or theft is suspected. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Cases, Causes of, Nosocomial infections, Cross infection, Drug abuse and crime, Pseudomonas infections, Product tampering

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Don't eat the spinach -- Controlling foodborne infections disease

Article Abstract:

Symptomatic enteritis from Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli 0157:H7 infection was reported in 199 persons in 26 states between August 19 and September 5, 2006, in association with consumption of fresh spinach or spinach-containing products from commercial brands processed by Natural Selection Foods of San Juan Bautista, California that were later banned nationwide. Irradiation of high-risk foods after processing could greatly reduce the incidence of all bacterial foodborne diseases.

United States, Vegetables and melons, Other Vegetable (except Potato) and Melon Farming, Spinach, Risk factors, Diseases, Foodborne diseases, Control

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