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Water-associated nosocomial infections.
Wright, Claire Louise Snelling, Anna M. Newton, L. Kerr, Kevin G.
Wright, Claire Louise
Snelling, Anna M.
Newton, L.
Kerr, Kevin G.
Publication Date
2008
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© 2008 Greycoat Publishing. Reproduced in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy.
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openAccess
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Abstract
It is estimated that 5-10% of hospitalised patients in
developed countries contract hospital acquired infections
(HAI). Increasing levels of antimicrobial resistance manifested
by many HAI-causing pathogens such as Acinetobacter spp in
the intensive care unit (ICU) setting present a significant
challenge to those managing these infections. Consequently,
much attention has been focused on the prevention of HAIs.
Particular emphasis has been placed on interventions
intended to interrupt patient-to-patient transmission of pathogens,
such as enhanced hand hygiene and identification of
patients colonised with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus
aureus (MRSA) using rapid DNA-based screening techniques.
However, comparatively little attention has been given to the
hospital environment, including water supplies, as a source of
nosocomial pathogens of importance for patients on the
critical care unit. This article reviews the role of hospital water
sources in the epidemiology of HAI and new technologies
which can be employed in the prevention and control of such
infections.
Version
Published version
Citation
Wright, C. L., Snelling, A. M., Newton, L. and Kerr, K. G. (2008). Water-associated nosocomial infections. British Journal of Intensive Care. Summer, pp. 64-67.
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Article