Becker's Clinical Quality & Infection Control

norovirus The group of viruses known as norovirus is the most common cause of gastroenteritis. Healthcare facilities serve as optimal transmission spaces for the highly contagious virus, as the close quarters enable rap- id person to person transmission. Some reports estimate it takes fewer than 20 norovirus particles to cause an infection. The virus exhibits strong survival outside of a human host, with some studies finding the virus persisting for weeks on hard surfaces, 12 days on fabrics and even months in still water. Proper hand hygiene is an effective way to avoid transmitting norovirus. Psuedomonas aeruginosa P. aeruginosa is one of the most common isolated pathogens in peo- ple hospitalized for more than one week. It thrives on moist surfaces, heightening the risk of infection for patients with catheters or ventila- tors. While treatable and curable with antibiotics, serious infections such as bacteremic pneumonia, sepsis, burn wound infections and meningitis from P. aeruginosa are linked to high mortality. Staphylococcus aureus S. aureus is a normal part of the skin flora, and approximately 30 per- cent of people carry the bacteria in their nose asymptomatically. How- ever, the bacteria can be fatal in healthcare settings, especially when identified as the cause of sepsis, pneumonia, endocarditis or osteomy- elitis. Improper hygiene protocol adherence is one of the biggest gate- ways for S. aureus to be transmitted in the healthcare setting. The bac- teria are increasingly becoming resistant to antibiotics, as evidenced by MRSA, which has evolved into its own separate concern area for healthcare personnel. Recently, researchers at the University of Iowa have developed a vaccine that, in animal model trials, has proven to be effective in completely eliminatingproviding sterilizing immunity from S. aureus in infected organisms. Stenotrophomonas maltophilia S. maltophilia is very uncommon in humans, but its preferred aquatic habitat makes it a threat to patients requiring catheters, breathing tubes and intravenous fluids. In patients without compromised im- mune systems, S. maltophilia may cause pneumonia, urinary tract in- fections or sepsis, although the risk of infection is minimal without the presence of an invasive medical device. Immunocompromised pa- tients may experience pulmonary infections as a result of colonized S. maltophilia bacteria. In many cases, removing the infected prosthesis is sufficient to treat the infection. Mycobacterium tuberculosis This bacteria, causing tuberculosis, is one of the leading causes of in- fection-caused mortality worldwide. In healthcare settings, especially in the U.S., the disease is not very common. However, it can be spread through the air from close contact to an infected person. M. tuberculo- sis organisms are, like all other HAIs, becoming resistant to antimicro- bials, and drug-resistant tuberculosis is resistant to the first and second lines of best-treatment antibiotics. Vancomyin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Vancomycin-resistant S. aureus is another strain of S. aureus bacteria that has recently emerged as being resistant to vancomycin antibi- otics. The bacteria were first discovered in 1997, but as of 2010, all vancomycin-resistant isolates have been eliminated by FDA-approved treatment regimens. Vancomycin-resistant Enterococci The vancomycin-resistant strain of Enterococci bacteria can often be treated with other antibiotics. Patients may be infected with VRE via urinary catheters, in which case removing the catheter often is all that is required to eliminate the infection. VRE is not an airborne disease; rather, it is transmitted from person to person contact, so proper hand hygiene compliance and infection control are effective protocols in reducing the spread of this bacteria. n M. tuberculosis is one of the leading causes of infection- caused mortality worldwide. P. aeruginosa is one of the most common isolated pathogens in people hospitalized for more than one week." 24 Finger grips allow for handling ease Trigger indicator is color coded for needle gauge Clear body allows for flashback visualization Needle retraction clamps tubing, reducing the risk of exposure to blood Needle is retracted directly from patient, virtually eliminating exposure to contaminated needle • Trigger design reduces the risk of inadvertent activation • Kink-resistant tubing available in 7" and 12" lengths • Not made with DEHP, PVC, or natural rubber latex • May be used for short-term infusion (up to 2 hours) Blood Collection Set Automated In-Vein Retraction Effectively Reduces The Risk Of Needlestick Injuries the For more information on VanishPoint products, please call 1.888.703.1010 NEW! Bleed Size 8.625"x11.125" Trim Size 8.375"x10.875 Non-bleed 7.5"x10" Building on a century-long legacy in cleaning and disinfecting, Clorox Healthcare offers a wide range of products to help stop the spread of infection in healthcare facilities. From comprehensive surface disinfection, including advanced ultraviolet technology, to skin antisepsis, Clorox Healthcare is committed to providing efficacious solutions to the healthcare community.

• Cover