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Sources of gram-negative infection after open-heart surgery

1974; Elsevier BV; Volume: 67; Issue: 2 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1016/s0022-5223(19)40536-9

1097-685X

Linda L. Rosendorf, George R. Daicoff, Herman Baer,

Bacterial Identification and Susceptibility Testing

An infection rate of 8.4 per cent was observed in 466 open-heart surgery patients. Since a majority of these infections were caused by gram-negative bacteria, a prospective study was undertaken in order to determine the sources and mechanisms of spread of the gram-negative organisms. Patients were colonized both by the spread of indigenous organisms to other anatomic sites and by acquisition of nosocomial strains. Most patients became colonized while in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU), and it appeared that heavily colonized and often infected patients who required extended stay in the SICU were the main reservoir for gram-negative nosocomial organisms. The hands of personnel were probably the main means of spread of these organisms. Improperly maintained inhalation therapy equipment was also found to be a significant source of gram-negative bacteria. A program involving improved maintenance of inhalation therapy equipment and strict hand antisepsis by personnel proved unsuccessful in reducing the rate of colonization.