Acquisition of Nosocomial Pathogens on Hands After Contact With Environmental Surfaces Near Hospitalized Patients

2004416 citationsJournal Article

Authors

Anita Bhalla · University Hospitals of Cleveland

Nicole J. Pultz · Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center

Delores M. Gries · Madigan Army Medical Center

Amy J. Ray · University Hospitals of Cleveland

Elizabeth C. Eckstein · Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center

David C. Aron · Louis Stokes Cleveland VA Medical Center

Curtis J. Donskey

Abstract

We examined the frequency of acquisition of bacterial pathogens on investigators' hands after contacting environmental surfaces near hospitalized patients. Hand imprint cultures were positive for one or more pathogens after contacting surfaces near 34 (53%) of 64 study patients, with Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus being the most common isolates.

Topics & Keywords

Infection Control in Healthcare Infection Control and Ventilation Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens research

Publication Details

Published in: Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology

Volume 25, Issue 2, pp. 164-167

DOI: 10.1086/502369

Field-Weighted Citation Impact: 7.43

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Acquisition of Nosocomial Pathogens on Hands After Contact With Environmental Surfaces Near Hospitalized Patients

Authors

Abstract

Topics & Keywords

Publication Details