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.
