Multidrug-resistant organisms contaminating supply carts of contact isolation patients

Area of Science:

• Infection Control and Prevention
• Microbiology
• Healthcare Epidemiology

Background:

• Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) pose a significant threat in healthcare settings.
• Contact isolation precautions are standard for patients colonized or infected with MDROs.
• Understanding potential reservoirs for MDRO transmission, such as supply carts, is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the level of contamination on supply carts and their contents.
• To determine if MDROs contaminate carts used by patients under contact isolation.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of current practices in preventing cart contamination.

Main Methods:

• Environmental sampling of supply carts and stored supplies was conducted.
• Swabs were collected from various surfaces of the carts and items.
• Samples were analyzed for the presence of multidrug-resistant organisms.

Main Results:

• Very low levels of contamination were detected on supply carts and stored supplies.
• Only one isolate of multidrug-resistant *Acinetobacter baumannii* was identified.
• This represented 1.3% of the 80 swabs collected, suggesting minimal environmental persistence on carts.

Conclusions:

• Supply carts in contact isolation rooms are unlikely to be significant reservoirs for MDRO transmission.
• Current infection control practices appear effective in preventing widespread cart contamination.
• Further vigilance is warranted, but findings suggest low risk from this specific source.