Nasal and Hand Carriage ofStaphylococcus aureusin Staff at a Department for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery: Endogenous or Exogenous Source?

2003 ◽  
Vol 24 (9) ◽  
pp. 686-689 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ann Tammelin ◽  
Fia Klötz ◽  
Anna Hambræus ◽  
Elisabeth Ståhle ◽  
Ulrika Ransjö
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Cardiovascular Surgery ◽  
Nasal Carriage ◽  
Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Point Prevalence Study ◽  
Moderate Rate ◽  
Hand Antisepsis ◽  
The University ◽  
Exogenous Source

AbstractObjective:To investigate the rates ofStaphylococcus aureuscarriage on the hands and in the noses of healthcare workers (HCWs) and the relatedness ofS. aureusisolates found in the two sites.Design:Point-prevalence study.Setting:Department for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery at the University Hospital of Uppsala, Uppsala, Sweden.Subjects and Methods:Samples were obtained from 133 individuals, 18 men and 115 women, using imprints of each hand on blood agar and a swab from the nose.S. aureusisolates were identified by standard methods and typed by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.Results:S. aureuswas found on the hands of 16.7% of the men and 9.6% of the women, and in the noses of 33.3% of the men and 17.4% of the women. The risk ratio forS. aureuscarriage on the hands with nasal carriage was 7.4 (95% confidence interval, 2.7 to 20.2;P< .001). Among the 14 HCWs carryingS. aureuson their hands, strain likeness to the nasal isolate was documented for 7 (50%).Conclusions:Half of the HCWs acquiredS. aureuson the hands from patients or the environment and half did so by apparent self-inoculation from the nose. Regardless of the source of contamination, good compliance with hand hygiene is needed from all HCWs to protect patients from nosocomial infections. The moderate rate ofS. aureuscarriage on hands in this setting could be the result of the routine use of alcoholic hand antisepsis.

scholarly journals Longitudinal Study of Viral and Bacterial Contamination of Hospital Pediatricians’ Mobile Phones

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (12) ◽  
pp. 2011
Author(s):  
Aymeric Cantais ◽  
Florence Grattard ◽  
Julie Gagnaire ◽  
Olivier Mory ◽  
Aurélie Plat ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Mobile Phones ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Winter Season ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Infectious Agents ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The University

Mobile phones (MPs) of healthcare workers (HCWs) may represent an important source of transmission of infectious agents. This longitudinal study documents the contamination of these tools. Ten MPs handled by senior pediatricians were sampled once a week during 23 weeks in three pediatric wards of the University Hospital of Saint-Etienne, France. Cultures were performed for bacteria and multiplex PCR assays for a panel of respiratory and enteric viruses. A questionnaire on hygiene habits regarding phoning and care was filled-in by pediatricians before and after the study. From a total of 230 samples, 145 (63%) were contaminated by at least one pathogen. The MPs from emergency departments were the most impacted. Viruses were detected in 179 samples; bacteria were isolated in 59 samples. Contamination increased during the winter epidemic peak. A cross-contamination by Paracoccus yeei between hands and MPs of different HCWs was demonstrated. The communication of the study results influenced the hygiene behaviors. This study highlights the contamination of MPs by pathogens that are resistant in the environment, and its sustainability along the winter season. The role of MPs as vectors of nosocomial infection needs to be better investigated.

scholarly journals Factors Associated with SARS-CoV-2 Infection Risk among Healthcare Workers of an Italian University Hospital

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 1495
Author(s):  
Alberto Modenese ◽  
Loretta Casolari ◽  
Giorgia Rossi ◽  
Elena Della Vecchia ◽  
Francesca Glieca ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cumulative Incidence ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Vaccination Campaign ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Infection Risk ◽  
Overweight And Obesity ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Occupational Factors ◽  
Chronic Respiratory Diseases ◽  
The University

We report the results of a study on the cumulative incidence of SARS-CoV-2 infections in about 6000 workers of the University Hospital of Modena, Northern Italy, in the period March 2020–January 2021, and the relations with some individual and occupational factors. Overall, in healthcare workers (HCW) the cumulative incidence of COVID-19 during the period was 13.8%. Results confirm the role of overweight and obesity as significant risk factors for SARS-CoV-2 infection. Chronic respiratory diseases, including asthma, also proved to be significantly associated with the infection rate. Considering occupational factors, the COVID-19 risk was about threefold (OR: 2.7; 95% CI 1.7–4.5) greater in nurses and nurse aides than in non-HCW, and about double (OR: 1.9; 95% CI 1.2–3.2) in physicians. Interestingly, an association was also observed between infection risk and nightshifts at work (OR: 1.8; 95% CI 1.4–2.3), significantly related to the total number of shifts in the whole eleven-month period. Even if the vaccination campaign has now greatly modified the scenario of SARS-CoV-2 infections among HCW, the results of this study can be useful for further development of health and policy strategies to mitigate the occupational risk related to the new variants of coronavirus, and therefore the evolution of the pandemic.

scholarly journals A matrix for the evaluation of COVID-19 contact risk in healthcare workers: Technical note

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seyfi Durmaz ◽  
Raika Durusoy
Keyword(s):  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Technical Note ◽  
Risk Classification ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Team Members ◽  
The Matrix ◽  
Medium Risk ◽  
The University

Abstract Detecting risky contacts and early isolation of healthcare workers who have been in contact with COVID-19 cases will increase the likelihood of limiting the spread of the infection. The aim of this technical note is to propose a reliable, fast-adaptable and easy-to-use matrix that accurately classifies risk for contact tracing of healthcare workers with COVID-19 patients. The researchers have created a matrix with the support of the literature and their experience within the university hospital surveillance team. This matrix enables a detailed High / Medium / Low Risk classification of contacts of healthcare workers with COVID-19 cases, covering many different contact situations encountered in a university hospital. The distinction between different contact risk categories implies different preventive measures: High-risk contacts are isolated at home for 7 days and return to work if they test PCR-negative on day 7; while medium and low risk contacts continue to work using masks, with medium-risk contacts tested on day 7, so it is important to standardize the classification among different interviewers. Three main headings have come to the fore in health worker contact risk classification: 1. Differences caused by the ventilation of the environment: Indoors, well ventilated indoors, outdoors. 2. Direct contact or material sharing. 3. Aerosol generating procedure (AGP). The matrix has been used effectively in 1169 risky contact interviews over a two-month period (24 August - 23 October 2020). It has been evaluated by two groups: the surveillance team using it routinely for contact tracing and by experts. The matrix is quickly adapted by new surveillance team members and is easy to use.

Elimination of Nasal Carriage ofStaphylococcus aureusin Hemodialysis Patients

1996 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 793-797 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan A.J.W. Kluytmans ◽  
Marie-Jose Manders ◽  
Erik van Bommel ◽  
Henri Verbrugh
Keyword(s):  
Nasal Carriage ◽  
Hemodialysis Patients ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Study Group ◽  
Tertiary Referral Center ◽  
Development Of Resistance ◽  
Hemodialysis Unit ◽  
Historic Control ◽  
The University

AbstractObjective:To study the efficacy of mupirocin for the elimination of nasal carriage ofStaphylococcus aureusin hemodialysis patients.Design:The efficacy of mupirocin was studied in a prospectively followed cohort. The effect of this intervention on the rate ofS aureusbacteremia was evaluated using a historic control group.Setting:Patients on the hemodialysis unit of the University Hospital Rotterdam, a tertiary referral center.Patients:The study group consisted of consecutive patients on hemodialysis from February 1, 1992, until November 1, 1993. They were screened by taking nasal cultures monthly during their time on hemodialysis. IfS aureuswas isolated, treatment with mupirocin nasal ointment was initiated. The control group consisted of patients treated on the same hemodialysis unit from January 1, 1990, until January 1, 1992.Results:The study group consisted of 226 patients, of whom 172 were evaluated to determine the efficacy of mupirocin. Sixty-seven (39%) were identified as nasal carriers. Following the initial treatment, 66 nasal cultures (98.5%) became negative. After 3 months and 6 months, respectively, 63 (94%) and 61 (91%) of the treated carriers had negative cultures. The rate of bacteremia (defined as the number of episodes of5 aureusbacteremia per patient-year on hemodialysis) was significantly lower among the 226 patients in the study group (0.04 per patient-year) than among the 273 patients in the control group (0.25 per patient year;P<.001). Development of resistance and adverse effects were not observed.Conclusions:Mupirocin nasal ointment effectively eliminates nasal carriage of5 aureusin patients on hemodialysis. This was associated with a significant reduction of the incidence of5 aureusbacteremia, as compared to historic controls.

Effect of Educational Programs, Rigid Sharps Containers, and Universal Precautions on Reported Needlestick Injuries in Healthcare Workers

1991 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 214-219 ◽  
Author(s):  
Calvin C. Linnemann ◽  
Constance Cannon ◽  
Martha DeRonde ◽  
Bruce Lanphear
Keyword(s):  
Infection Control ◽  
General Hospital ◽  
Educational Program ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Needlestick Injuries ◽  
Universal Precautions ◽  
Control Programs ◽  
University Of Cincinnati ◽  
The University

AbstractObjective:To evaluate the effect of infection control programs on reported needlestick injuries in a general hospital.Design:Surveillance of all reported needlestick injuries at the University of Cincinnati Hospital was maintained by the infection control department for five years, from 1985 through 1989. Data on individual workers were collected, tabulated on a monthly basis, and reviewed continually to monitor trends in injuries. During this time, the effects of each of three new infection control programs on reported injuries were evaluated sequentially.Setting:A 700-bed general hospital that serves as the main teaching hospital of the University of cincinnati.Participants:All employees of University Hospital who reported to personnel health for management of needlestick injuries.Interventions:In 1986, an educational program to prevent injuries was initiated and continued throughout the surveillance period. In 1987, rigid sharps disposal containers were placed in all hospital rooms. In 1988, universal precautions were introduced with an intensive inservice.Results:Surveillance identified 1,602 needlestick injuries (320/year) or 104/1 ,000/ year. After the educational program began, reported injuries increased rather than decreased, and this was attributed to increased reporting. Subsequently, after installation of the new disposal containers, reported injuries returned to the levels seen prior to the educational program, but recapping injuries showed a significant decrease from 63/year to 30, or 20/1,000/year to 10. This decrease was observed in nurses but not in other healthcare workers. After universal precautions were instituted, total injuries increased slightly, but recapping injuries remained at 50% of the levels reported prior to the use of rigid sharps disposal containers.Conclusions: The three infection control programs failed to produce a major reduction in reported needlestick injuries, except for a decrease in recapping injuries associated with the placement of rigid sharps disposal containers in all patient rooms. These observations indicate that new approaches are needed to reduce needlestick injuries.

scholarly journals Nasal Carriage by Staphylococcus aureus among Healthcare Workers and Students Attending a University Hospital in Southern Brazil: Prevalence, Phenotypic, and Molecular Characteristics

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Tiago Danelli ◽  
Felipe Crepaldi Duarte ◽  
Thilara Alessandra de Oliveira ◽  
Raquel Soares da Silva ◽  
Daniela Frizon Alfieri ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Meca Gene ◽  
Nasal Carriage ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Hospital Environment ◽  
Aureus Strain ◽  
Molecular Characteristics ◽  
Type I ◽  
Encoding Genes

Background. Staphylococcus aureus can asymptomatically colonize the human anterior nares and skin, and nasal colonization by this bacterium represents a potential risk for development of invasive infections. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of S. aureus nasal carriage among healthcare workers and students attending a university hospital and to characterize the isolates phenotypically and molecularly. Methods. A cross-sectional study was performed with 324 volunteers. Cultures from nasal samples were obtained and S. aureus isolates were characterized according to their antimicrobial susceptibility profile and four virulence factors-encoding genes. MRSA isolates were characterized regarding their oxacillin/cefoxitin susceptibility, SCCmec, and REP-PCR types. Potential risks for S. aureus and MRSA carriage were analyzed. Results. Of 324 nasal samples, 42.9% were identified as S. aureus, of which 28.8% were MRSA. S. aureus carriers were significantly higher in males and students (OR = 2.898, 95%CI 1.553–5.410); however, no variables were associated with MRSA carriage. All isolates were susceptible to vancomycin and the highest rate of resistance was observed for penicillin (90.6%). All isolates harbored the coa gene, and 97.8%, the icaA gene; 15.8% and 6.5% were positive for tst and lukS-PV/lukF-PV genes, respectively. Among MRSA isolates, 45% carried the mecA gene but were phenotypically susceptible to oxacillin/cefoxitin; two harbored the tst and none had lukS-PV/lukF-PV genes. All MRSAs were distributed into six SCCmec types and type I (62.5%) was the most frequent. REP-PCR typing identified four main clusters among MRSA isolates. Conclusion. High prevalence of healthcare workers and students were identified as nasal carriers of S. aureus exhibiting different antimicrobial resistance profiles, including mecA-positive oxacillin-susceptible S. aureus (OS-MRSA) and the presence of virulence-encoding genes. Both cohorts may represent potential sources for the emergence of a successful S. aureus strain highly adapted to the hospital environment.

scholarly journals Six-month antibody response to SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare workers assessed by virus neutralisation and commercial assays

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Antonin Bal ◽  
Mary-Anne Trabaud ◽  
Jean-Baptiste Fassier ◽  
Muriel Rabilloud ◽  
Kahina Saker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antibody Response ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Serum Samples ◽  
Live Virus ◽  
N Protein ◽  
A Prospective Study ◽  
The University

AbstractWe conducted a prospective study in healthcare workers (n=296) of the University Hospital of Lyon, France. Serum samples (n=296) collected six months after disease onset were tested using three commercial assays: the Wantai Ab assay detecting total antibodies against the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the S protein, the bioMerieux Vidas assay detecting IgG to the RBD and the Abbott Architect assay detecting IgG to the N protein. The neutralising antibody (NAb) titre was also determined for all samples with a virus neutralisation assay (VNA) using live virus. The positivity rate was 100% with the Wantai assay, 84.8% with the bioMerieux assay and 55.4% with the Abbott assay. Only 51% of HCWs were positive for the presence of NAb. Less than 10 % of HCWs had a NAb titre greater than 80. At a neutralising titre of 80, the area under the curves [IC 95%] was 0.71 [0.62-0.81], 0.75 [0.65-0.85] and 0.95 [0.92-0.97] for Wantai, Abbott and Vidas respectively. The data presented herein suggest that commercial assays detecting antibodies against the N protein must not be used in long-term seroprevalence surveys while the Wantai assay could be useful for this purpose. VNA should remain the gold standard to assess the protective antibody response, but some commercial assays could be used as first-line screening of long-term presence of NAb.

scholarly journals Antimeningococcal Vaccination Coverage Among Healthcare Workers in an Italian University Hospital

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vittorio Gattini ◽  
Marco Napoletano ◽  
Alessandra Bonotti ◽  
Aldo Mignani ◽  
Francesca Cosentino ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vaccination Coverage ◽  
Media Coverage ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Vaccination Campaign ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Educational Qualification ◽  
Imaging Department ◽  
Critical Issues ◽  
High Level ◽  
The University

Introduction: Following an outbreak of meningococcal epidemic in 2015 and 2016 in Tuscany, we registered a higher demand for antimeningococcal vaccination (anti-Men ACWY) by Healthcare Workers of the University Hospital of Pisa [Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Pisana (AOUP)]. The purpose of this work is to analyze and discuss data on vaccination coverage resulting from this vaccination campaign.Materials and Methods: We conducted a monocentric study about anti-Men vaccination in the healthcare workers of the AOUP following the outbreak of meningococcal meningitis that occurred mainly in the population of the Tuscan provinces of Pisa, Pistoia, Prato, and Florence. The variables under examination were age, sex, educational qualification, and job profile. Department healthcare workers were vaccinated with two types of conjugated tetravalent vaccines for the A, C, Y, and W135 strains. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software.Results: The total population of the workers in AOUP was 7,188 subjects; the population considered in the study was 5,889. Between 2015 and 2017, a total of 2,423 subjects (41.1%) underwent anti-Men vaccination. Women, older HCWs, those with a lower educational qualification, doctors, and the HCWs of the maternal and child department, and imaging department recorded a statistically significant better vaccine compliance.Discussion: The AOUP, implementing the program of the Tuscany Region of vaccination against Neisseria meningitidis, has contributed to reduce the incidence of invasive meningococcal disease. Some critical issues remain in the compliance of some sections of the population, despite the high level of adherence recorded in this case, probably also due to the great media coverage of the event.

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