A case-control study was conducted to determine the modifiable risk factors associated with vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) colonization during a hospital outbreak. Cephalosporin use was identified as the only independent risk factor (odds ratio, 13.8; 95% confidence interval, 2.5-76.3; P=.01). Nursing work-load intensity was not associated with VRE colonization in this study.

Due to the rapid transfer of patients from the acute-care setting, the intensity of nursing care among residents in long-term-care facilities (LTCFs) has increased, transforming today's LTCFs into subacute healthcare facilities. Given the increased risk of infection among residents in LTCFs and the associated morbidity and mortality, evaluation of infection control programs in skilled nursing LTCFs is warranted. This article addresses the current structure and process of infection control programs in skilled nursing LTCFs.

We assessed the ability of a standard disinfection procedure to eliminate hepatitis C virus (HCV) from the air-water channel of hysteroscopes. The residual HCV RNA remaining after the disinfection procedure was measured by polymerase chain reaction. When correctly applied to hysteroscopes, the standard disinfection procedure was sufficient to eliminate the risk of HCV transmission.

To decrease respiratory infections in senior day care, staff were educated on viral transmission and the value of hand washing. Fanny packs with alcohol foam supplemented hand washing and were alternated monthly between centers. Infection rates were unchanged with alcohol foam use. The intervention year's infection rate was significantly lower than the previous 3 years, suggesting a benefit of education.

Nosocomial acquisition of Mycobacterium fortuitum led to a disseminated infection in a leukemia patient. A linkage to shower-head water was supported by molecular typing of clinical and environmental isolates. Contamination of the hospital water system with microbes that are relatively resistant to common sanitation processes poses an increased risk of infection to neutropenic patients.

The presence of Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma hominis, and Chlamydia trachomatis was explored in 50 public restroom toilet bowls. We used culture, antigen detection, polymerase chain reaction, and survival assay. Five bowls (10%) were contaminated with at least one organism. U urealyticum was found in four bowls, M hominis in three, and C trachomatis in one. U urealyticum survived on the toilet rim for up to 2 hours.

Because stethoscopes might be potential vectors of nosocomial infections, this study, conducted in a 450-bed general hospital, was devised to evaluate the bacterial contamination of stethoscopes; bacterial survival on stethoscope membranes; the kinetics of the bacterial load on stethoscope membranes during clinical use; and the efficacy of 70% alcohol or liquid soap for membrane disinfection. Among the 355 stethoscopes tested, 234 carried ≥2 different bacterial species; 31 carried potentially pathogenic bacteria. Although some bacteria deposited onto membranes could survive 6 to 18 hours, none survived after disinfection.

Agrobacterium radiobacter was isolated from 15 blood cultures collected from 15 newborns. Contamination of blood cultures was suspected because, in most cases, the babies' illnesses seemed incompatible with infection. A radiobacter was isolated from citrated tubes used for clotting-factor studies. Review of venipuncture technique revealed that occasionally the coagulation study tubes were being inoculated before the blood-culture bottles. This investigation demonstrated how an environmental source coupled with faulty technique caused a cluster of false-positive blood cultures.

A methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strain introduced into the largest tertiary-care teaching hospital in Manitoba in 1993 led to a sustained outbreak with secondary outbreaks at one community hospital, two large long-term-care facilities, and nosocomial transmission at a second teaching hospital. Control measures were consistent at each institution and were coordinated on a province-wide basis. MRSA is not currently endemic in any facility in the province.

Chemical sterilants are used to high-level disinfect heat-sensitive semicritical items such as endoscopes. Most endoscopes have been reprocessed between each patient use with glutaraldehyde (>2%) or the Steris System 1. Several new chemical sterilants have been developed recently, including 7.5% hydrogen peroxide, 0.08% peracetic acid plus 1.0% hydrogen peroxide, and 0.55% orthophthalaldehyde. In order to aid the infection control professional in choosing the appropriate disinfection methodology, this article reviews the characteristics, advantages, and disadvantages of high-level disinfectants intended for reprocessing endoscopes.

Gene therapy is now being studied for the treatment of a wide variety of acquired and inherited diseases. Viruses used as vectors for gene transfer include retroviruses, adenoviruses, vaccinia viruses, adeno-associated viruses, and herpesviruses. These vectors, developed in the laboratory and in animal studies, are now being introduced into the clinical arena. Infection control practitioners will be involved invariably in reviewing the use of these agents in their clinics and hospitals. This review summarizes key aspects of the more common vectors and makes recommendations for infection control.