Publications by authors named "M Beckerdite"
Background: Given the potential for the transfer of infectious diseases among patients in isolation, health care workers (HCWs), and other patients in the hospital environment, the proper use of personal protective equipment (PPE) is paramount. The literature is limited regarding studies of HCWs' use of PPE in patient care tasks.
Methods: A pilot study was conducted to examine the feasibility of using a simulated health care environment to assess HCWs' technique when implementing standard airborne and contact isolation precautions.
Background: Clostridium difficile is the usual and most important cause of antibiotic-associated pseudomembranous enterocolitis. The source of nosocomial acquisition of the organism in nonepidemic settings has not been determined.
Methods: Epidemiologic and microbiologic studies were conducted in a community-teaching hospital complex to assess the impact of carpeting in patient rooms on environmental contamination with C.