Researchers at Duke University Hospital reveal the truth about transmission of bacteria

 

Orange County, CA - November 1st 2016 - Researchers at Duke University Hospital presented findings on hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) at IDWeek 2016 and prompted discussion on the issue’s spread. Their study tracked the transmission of bacteria in hospitals, including those with antibiotic resistance like methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The study, funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, consisted of 167 patients within the intensive care unit (ICU). The patients were cared for by 40 nurses over the course of three 12-hour shifts. Each nurse was assigned two or more patients and responsible for upholding cleanliness by changing scrubs per shift. Researchers sampled the scrubs worn by nurses, the patients, and the patients’ rooms twice daily, collecting an estimated 5,555 samples. Testing for traces of bacterial transmission revealed 45 percent were passed from patient to room, but 54 percent of the transference involved the nurses.

"We know there are bad germs in hospitals, but we're just beginning to understand how they spread," said Dr. Deverick Anderson, lead author of the study, in an official statement.

Researchers at Duke University Hospital reveal the truth about transmission of bacteria

Microbiological and molecular analysis of the acquired samples showed that 22 same-strain bacteria were disseminated. Of those, 6 were from patient to nurse, 6 from room to nurse, and 10 from patient to the room. No cases were found where bacteria were spread from the nurse to the patient, but the researchers say this is likely to occur.

Focusing on the method of transmission, researchers found nurses’ scrub’s sleeves and pockets, as well as patients’ bed railings all held contamination. From the samples, it was discovered no room lacked bacteria, regardless of the time and daily cleaning of the room. Anderson suggests this may be due to negligence in carrying out sanitation protocol once a patient leaves the facility.

 "Any type of patient care, or even just entry into a room where care is provided, truly should be considered a chance for interacting with organisms that can cause disease," Anderson said in a University release.

 To help prevent the spread of bacterium, certain practices are notably imperative. One, hand washing after all patient encounters, two, using disposable gloves and gowns when treating patients with specific infections, and three, thorough cleaning of patients' rooms on a regular basis.

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Researchers at Duke University Hospital reveal the truth about transmission of bacteria   Orange County, CA – November 1st 2016 – Researchers at Duke University Hospital presented findings on hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) at IDWeek 2016 and prompted discussion on the issue’s spread. Their study tracked the transmission of bacteria in hospitals, including those with antibiotic resistance like […]