Environmental Contamination Due to Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: Possible Infection Control Implications

Boyce, John M.; Potter-Bynoe, Gail; Chenevert, Claire; King, Thomas

doi:10.1086/647686

Cited by 395 publications

(436 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

412

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…It has already been reported that HCWs' hands may become contaminated after contact with inanimate surfaces, 30 " 32 and the environment has been suggested as a possible reservoir for nosocomial pathogens in the hospital setting. 32 None of these studies, including the current one, were designed to evaluate whether such contamination could result in pathogen transmission to susceptible patients. However, contact with a contaminated environment may play a role in high-risk newborn nurseries or neonatal intensive care units, particularly regarding bacteria that can survive for prolonged periods in inanimate environments.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dynamics of Bacterial Hand Contamination During Routine Neonatal Care

Pessoa-Silva

Dharan

Hugonnet

et al. 2004

Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol.

133

101

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamics of bacterial contamination of healthcare workers' (HCWs) hands during neonatal care. SETTING:The 20-bed neonatal unit of a large acute care teaching hospital in Geneva, Switzerland.METHODS: Structured observation sessions were conducted. A sequence of care began when the HCW performed hand hygiene and ended when the activity changed or hand hygiene was performed again. Alcohol-based handrub was the standard procedure for hand hygiene. An imprint of the five fingertips of the dominant hand was obtained before and after hand hygiene and at the end of a sequence of care. Regression methods were used to model the final bacterial count according to the type and duration of care and the use of gloves.RESULTS: One hundred forty-nine sequences of care were observed. Commensal skin flora comprised 72.4% of all culture-positive specimens (n = 360). Other microorganisms identified were Enterobacteriaceae (n = 55, 13.8%); Staphylococcus aureus (n = 10, 2.5%); and fungi (n = 7, 1.8%). Skin contact, respiratory care, and diaper change were independently associated with an increased bacterial count; the use of gloves did not fully protect HCWs' hands from bacterial contamination. CONCLUSIONS: These data confirm that hands become progressively contaminated with commensal flora and potential pathogens during neonatal care, and identify activities at higher risk for hand contamination. They also reinforce the need for hand hygiene after a sequence of care, before starting a different task, and after glove removal {Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2004;25:192-197).

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dynamics of Bacterial Hand Contamination During Routine Neonatal Care

Pessoa-Silva

Dharan

Hugonnet

et al. 2004

Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol.

133

101

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…6,7 Previous studies have demonstrated MRSA contamination on a variety of environmental surfaces in the hospital setting. 6,7 The dental operatory may also be contaminated with MRSA and become a potential source of MRSA.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nosocomial transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus via the surfaces of the dental operatory

Kurashina

Honda

2006

Br Dent J

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has emerged as a significant nosocomial infectious threat, prompting several studies that have identified MRSA reservoirs in the hospital setting including bed rails, countertops, floors, bed linens, tables and blood pressure cuffs (Boyce et al, 1997;Blythe et al, 1998). Because of frequent dermal contact by numerous users, one reservoir of interest is computer keyboards, which have been shown to harbor MRSA in the hospital setting (Bures et al, 2000;Devine et al, 2001;Neely et al, 2005;Wilson et al, 2006).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Public computer surfaces are reservoirs for methicillin-resistant staphylococci

2007

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

The role of computer keyboards used by students of a metropolitan university as reservoirs of antibiotic-resistant staphylococci was determined. Putative methicillin (oxacillin)-resistant staphylococci isolates were identified from keyboard swabs following a combination of biochemical and genetic analyses. Of 24 keyboards surveyed, 17 were contaminated with staphylococci that grew in the presence of oxacillin (2 mg l À1 ). Methicillin (oxacillin)-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), -S. epidermidis (MRSE) and -S. hominis (MRSH) were present on two, five and two keyboards, respectively, while all three staphylococci co-contaminated one keyboard. Furthermore, these were found to be part of a greater community of oxacillin-resistant bacteria. Combined with the broad user base common to public computers, the presence of antibiotic-resistant staphylococci on keyboard surfaces might impact the transmission and prevalence of pathogens throughout the community.

show abstract

Environmental Contamination Due to Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: Possible Infection Control Implications

Cited by 395 publications

References 0 publications

Dynamics of Bacterial Hand Contamination During Routine Neonatal Care

Dynamics of Bacterial Hand Contamination During Routine Neonatal Care

Nosocomial transmission of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus via the surfaces of the dental operatory

Public computer surfaces are reservoirs for methicillin-resistant staphylococci

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About