Nosocomial Klebsiella pneumoniae colonization in a neonatal special care unit

A clinical study is reported of nosocomial Klebsiella pneumoniae colonization and infection in a neonatal special care unit in Barbados. Of the 14 infants who were affected nine were symptomatic and two died (15%) during a 9-day period. This outbreak appeared to have been an indirect result of an acute shortage of nursing personnel coupled with a breakdown in adequate handwashing techniques. We feel that periodic review and continuous reinforcement of infection control policies in areas with patients at high risk of nosocomial infection, such as the neonatal unit, are of paramount importance.