American journal of infection control
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Am J Infect Control · Jun 2004
Comparative StudyNosocomial infections among pediatric hematology/oncology patients: results of a prospective incidence study.
Nosocomial infections (NI) are an important clinical complication in adult and children patients at the different hospital wards. NI cause considerable morbidity and mortality and are associated with prolonged hospital stay and increased health care costs. ⋯ Extrinsic risk factors associated with NI have been identified in this high-risk population. These findings suggest the need to evaluate the infection control measures to reduce the morbidity and mortality in a hematology/oncology unit.
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Am J Infect Control · Jun 2004
Comparative StudyInappropriate use of urinary catheters in elderly patients at a midwestern community teaching hospital.
An estimated 4 million patients per year in the United States are subjected to urinary catheterization. Approximately 25% of patients who are hospitalized have an indwelling urinary tract catheter placed at some time during their hospital stay and nosocomial urinary tract infections develop in 5% per day, with associated bacteremia in 4% of patients. ⋯ Less than half of urinary catheterizations in this teaching hospital were indicated and even fewer had an explicit indication recorded in the chart. Other investigators have had similar findings at other hospitals. Interventions are needed to decrease the inappropriate use of urinary catheters.
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Am J Infect Control · May 2004
Prospective surveillance study for risk factors of central venous catheter-related bloodstream infections.
Risk factors of catheter-related bloodstream infection (CR-BSI) caused by central venous catheter (CVC) use at a university hospital were evaluated. ⋯ Renal failure was an independent risk factor for CR-BSI.
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Am J Infect Control · Feb 2004
ReviewBacterial contamination of multiple-dose vials: a prevalence study.
Two patients died of a meningitis caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a hospital in Germany in July 2001, their infections having been caused by a contaminated contrast media (iomeprol [Imeron]) used as a multiple-dose vial (MDV) over 8 days. Therefore, a prevalence study was performed to investigate the use and contamination of multiple-use vials in a tertiary hospital. ⋯ Results revealed somewhat risky handling of MDVs. In light of a possible high risk in this hospital of about 1 contaminated MDV per day, and in view of many reported outbreaks induced by contaminated MDVs, the following infection control measures were encouraged: alcohol hand hygiene, the disinfection of gums, observance of the manufacturer's recommendations, appropriate storing temperatures, marking the opening time, and avoiding the multiple use of medications not containing preserving agents.