Can improving patient hand hygiene impact Clostridium difficile infection events at an academic medical center?

Background: Hand hygiene plays an important role in the prevention of Clostridium difficile (CD) infection (CDI). Patient hand hygiene (PHH) may be a potentially underused preventative measure for CDI. Patient mobility and acuity along with a lack of education present obstacles to PHH for the hospitalized patient.

Disposable Bronchoscope Model for Simulating Endoscopic Reprocessing and Surveillance Cultures.

BACKGROUND Endoscope-associated infections are reported despite following proper reprocessing methods. Microbiological testing can confirm the adequacy of endoscope reprocessing. Multiple controversies related to the method and interpretation of microbiological testing cultures have arisen that make their routine performance a complex target.

Outbreak of KPC-3 Producing Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae in a US Pediatric Hospital.

Background: The increase in carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infections is a critical public health issue. We recently experienced the largest single-center pediatric outbreak of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) at our hospital. The objective of this study was to describe the molecular epidemiology of this outbreak before and after infection-prevention interventions.

Evaluation of a new monochloramine generation system for controlling Legionella in building hot water systems.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of a new monochloramine generation system for control of Legionella in a hospital hot water distribution system.

Setting: A 495-bed tertiary care hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The hospital has 12 floors covering approximately 78,000 m(2).

Sustainable hand hygiene efforts; a review of a successful campaign.

Aim: The aim of this paper is to provide a review of the hand hygiene literature and to give an example of the use of this literature to create a multimodal sustainable hand hygiene program.

Background: The literature describes six key ingredients to consider when designing a hand hygiene program. These ingredients include leadership engagement, environmental assessment, education, a tight feedback loop, communication and routine revitalization.