American journal of infection control
-
Am J Infect Control · Aug 2004
ReviewInfection control and its application to the administration of intravenous medications during gastrointestinal endoscopy.
Several infection control practices and procedures crucial to the prevention of disease transmission in the health care setting are reviewed and discussed. Emphasis is placed on the importance of infection control to gastrointestinal endoscopy. Recommendations that minimize the risk of nosocomial infection during the preparation, handling, and administration of intravenous medications, particularly propofol, are provided. These recommendations include the labeling of predrawn syringes; use of sterile single-use syringes, needles, and administration sets for each patient; and, whenever feasible, administration of intravenous medications promptly after opening their prefilled syringes or after opening their ampoules or vials and filling the sterile syringes.
-
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.
-
Am J Infect Control · Feb 2003
Review Case ReportsClostridium difficile infection and concurrent vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus stool colonization in a health care worker: case report and review of the literature.
Clostridium Difficile diarrhea was noted in a previously healthy health care worker from the study institution after receiving oral clindamycin therapy; the worker also had vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus stool colonization. Health care workers should be aware that antibiotic therapy may place them at increased risk for colonization and infection with nosocomial pathogens such as Clostridium difficile and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus.