There is a need to review the hygiene standards adopted in the clinical workspace within hospital intensive care units, away from the immediate patient zones.
Bacterial Gene Resistant to Last-Resort Antibotics Spotted in Denmark
The gene detected in common bacteria such as E. coli and K. pneumoniae, which causes pneumonia and blood disease effectively makes these bacteria invincible.
The gene detected in common bacteria such as E. coli and K. pneumoniae, which causes pneumonia and blood disease effectively makes these bacteria invincible.
‘Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) might still be lurking in spite of routine environmental cleaning in the clinical workspace within hospital intensive care units.’
Researchers from Western Sydney University in Australia conducted a pilot study using three different sampling methods in a busy intensive care unit (ICU) in an attempt to discover if and where multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) might still be lurking in spite of routine environmental cleaning. Investigators traced the steps of healthcare workers (HCW) in between their workstations and patient bedsides and sampled commonly touched objects along the way for MDROs. Nine of thirteen confirmed MDROs from any area came from clinical workstations (on chairs, clipboards, keyboards, telephones, and a computer mouse). As a secondary finding of the study, combined ATP testing on environmental surfaces was more than seven times as likely to positively identify MDROs as microbial swabbing (33.3 percent vs 4.3 percent). ATP testing is a process of rapidly measuring actively growing microorganisms through detection of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) - a marker of bio-contamination.
"In this pilot study, we found that many of the high touch objects from which MDROs were recovered were not items included in cleaning protocols," state the study authors. "The findings of this study suggest the need to review the hygiene standards adopted in the clinical workspace, away from the immediate patient zones in busy ICUs, and indicate that ATP testing may help identify high touch objects with less than optimal cleanliness."
Prophylactic Antibiotics Reduce Bacterial Infections In Children With Leukemia
Chemotherapy and acute lymphoblastic leukemia impact patient’s immune systems, leaving them vulnerable to infections. Prophylactic antibiotics can reduce infection risk.
Chemotherapy and acute lymphoblastic leukemia impact patient’s immune systems, leaving them vulnerable to infections. Prophylactic antibiotics can reduce infection risk.
Controlling Spread of Drug-Resistant Bacteria in Hospitals
When patients with drug-resistant bacteria are admitted to hospitals without showing symptoms caused by the bacteria, there is a potential for spread to others.
When patients with drug-resistant bacteria are admitted to hospitals without showing symptoms caused by the bacteria, there is a potential for spread to others.
Have You Seen an Artwork Made of Live Bacteria and Genes?
Most people do not know that bioart exists but it can enable scientists to produce new ideas and give us opportunities to look differently at problems.
Most people do not know that bioart exists but it can enable scientists to produce new ideas and give us opportunities to look differently at problems.
