Identification of carbapenem-resistant organism (CRO) contamination of in-room sinks in intensive care units in a new hospital bed tower
Published on 02/21/2024 |
by Waterline Admin
Warren BG, Smith BA, Barrett A, Graves AM, Nelson A, Gettler E, Lewis SS, Anderson DJ. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 2024 Jan 19:1-8. doi: 10.1017/ice.2023.289. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 38239018.
Highlights
The origins and timing of inpatient room sink contamination with carbapenem-resistant organisms (CROs) are poorly understood.
1,638 total environmental cultures were obtained and 2,814 patients were admitted to study units while sink sampling occurred.
9 sinks (41%) in unit A became contaminated with CRO by month 10, and all 26 sinks became contaminated in unit B by month 7.
299 CRO isolates were recovered; the most common species were Enterobacter cloacae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
CRO contamination of sinks in 2 newly constructed ICUs was rapid and cumulative and the study emphasises the need for prevention strategies to mitigate contamination of hands and surfaces from CRO-colonised sinks.
The paper can be sourced here