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[Control of cross infection in intensive care units]
Abstract:
Quantitative determinations of antibiotic susceptibility established that infections occurring in intensive care units were predominantly exogenous cross infections. The most frequently isolated strains were: Klebsiella, Enterobacteriaceae, Serratia marcescens and Proteus mirabilis. The majority of the strains showed multiple resistance. Despite adequate antibiotic therapy a number of patients died of the infection. Many of the methods of disinfection were found to be inadequate, especially as regarded washbasins, face flannels, ultrasound inhalers, respirators and other apparatus. The fact that many of the isolated strains are capable of multiplying in water is not receiving sufficient attention.
Insights
Intensive care unit infections are often caused by external bacteria, with many strains showing multiple drug resistance. Inadequate disinfection methods and bacterial multiplication in water contribute to patient mortality despite treatment.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Hospital Epidemiology
Background:
- Intensive care units (ICUs) are high-risk environments for healthcare-associated infections.
- Exogenous cross-infections are a significant concern in ICUs.
- Antibiotic resistance is a growing global health challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the sources and characteristics of infections in an ICU setting.
- To evaluate the effectiveness of current disinfection protocols.
- To identify factors contributing to treatment failure in ICU patients.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative antibiotic susceptibility testing of isolated bacterial strains.
- Identification of frequently occurring bacterial species.
- Assessment of disinfection efficacy for various medical equipment and surfaces.
Main Results:
- Predominantly exogenous cross-infections were identified in the ICU.
- Commonly isolated pathogens included Klebsiella, Enterobacteriaceae, Serratia marcescens, and Proteus mirabilis.
- Most isolated strains exhibited multidrug resistance, complicating treatment outcomes.
- Inadequate disinfection of equipment like respirators and washbasins was noted.
- The role of water in bacterial multiplication was highlighted as a critical, often overlooked, factor.
Conclusions:
- ICU infections are frequently exogenous, driven by multidrug-resistant organisms.
- Current disinfection practices are insufficient to prevent the spread of resistant bacteria.
- The proliferation of bacteria in water sources poses a significant infection risk that requires greater attention.