9. Twenty-one percent of the patients in a large hospital acquired Clostridinum

Question

9. Twenty-one percent of the patients in a large hospital acquired Clostridinum difficile diarhea and colitis during their hospital stay. These patients required longer hospital stays than uninfected patients. Epidemiological studies provided the following information. What is the most likely mode of transmission of this bacterium in hospitals? How can transmission be prevented? Rate of infection for patients Single room Double room Triple room 7% 17% 26% Rate of environmental isolations of C. ditfficile: Bed rail Commode Floor Call Button Toilet 10% 1% 18% 6% 3% Hands of hospital personnel after contact with patients that were culture-positive for C dificile 0% 59% Used gloves Did not use gloves Had C. dmcile before patient contact washed with non-disinfectant soap Washed with disinfectant soap Did not iwash hands 3% 40% 3% 20% :

Explanation / Answer

In the first question the mode of transmission of the bacterium is through physical contact. Bacterium was present everywhere in the hospital rooms like bed rail, floor, call button etc. Under these circumstances intensive sterilization of equipment by autoclave and chemical methods as well as fumigation of entire rooms should be done. Apart from this personal sanitization should be required.

Second question: Apart from the other wards the burn ward should be more sterile. Because patients in that wards are having wounds due to burning of their skin so that they are more susceptible to get infection from the pathogens.

Third question: Eventhough you autoclaved your surgical equipment, there might be a chance of getting bacterial infection. Because sterilization of your robes as well as the entire room should be done properly.

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