Environmental decontamination following occupancy of a burns patient with multiple carbapenemase-producing organisms. Issue 2 (June 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Garvey, M.I.; Bradley, C.W.; Jumaa, P.
• Is Part Of: Journal of hospital infection. Volume 93:Issue 2(2016)
• Page Start: 136
• Page End: 140
• Publication Date: 2016-06
• Subjects: Carbapenemase-producing organisms -- Cleaning -- Burns -- Environmental sampling -- Decontamination; Cross infection -- Periodicals; Cross infection -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Nosocomial infections -- Periodicals; Nosocomial infections -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- prevention & control -- Periodicals; Infection Control -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.44
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2016.01.006
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0195-6701

Abstract

Summary: Over the last decade, carbapenemase-producing organisms (CPOs) have spread worldwide, becoming a major public health concern. This article reports the authors' experience in dealing with a burns patient infected with CPOs, and the decontamination methods employed to render a burns shock room safe for re-use. The shock room was cleaned after being vacated, but environmental sampling cultured multiple CPOs. A second decontamination was undertaken comprising a detergent, steam and hypochlorite clean followed by hydrogen peroxide misting, and no CPOs were cultured after subsequent environmental sampling. A burns patient harbouring CPOs contaminates the surroundings heavily, so standard cleaning is insufficient to reduce the environmental bioburden.