GMS Krankenhaushygiene Interdisziplinär

During the course of a peripheral bronchial carcinoma with pulmonary and cerebral metastases a femoral abscess developed in a 49 year-old patient after radio- and chemotherapy. A bacterial strain, which was isolated four times from a deep wound of the left thigh was tentatively identified as a member of the genus Nocardia on the basis of selected phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics. The isolate was confirmed to belong to Nocardia abscessus by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. This species had previously been described as the causative agent of soft tissue infections...

AIM: Free radicals, oxidative stress and their possible consequences for health are becoming increasingly important in modern medicine. Reactive species influence the organism, potentially causing oxidative cell damage. They can be produced by exogenous sources, or be a product of a variety of not only physiological metabolic processes, such as immune response, but also pathological processes. The antioxidant protection system protects the organism from oxidative damage caused by reactions producing an excess of free radicals...

BACKGROUND: Environmental reporting is increasingly important for medical facilities. Currently, hospitals can determine the content of an environmental report as they see fit. OBJECTIVE: To examine the utility and scope of an employee survey as an instrument for the preparation of an environmental report at the University Hospital Greifswald. METHOD: For this purpose a questionnaire was developed with a focus on environmental behaviour and the significance attached to the protection of the environment...

OBJECTIVES: So far, there has been no practical or toxicologically non-hazardous way to decimate mites - without interrupting use of beds - in their main reservoir on bed mattresses to such an extent that the allergic condtion of people suffering from house dust mite allergies is reduced or even remedied. As so-called HygienicWood was effective against mites under simulated conditions, the influence of a mattress topper filled with HygienicWood chips on the content of mite antigen Der p1 was to be investigated and the influence on the state of health of the persons concerned analysed at the same time...

The literature is used to analyse the significance of the use of iodine-impregnated incision drape (Ioban(®) 2) for the prevention of postoperative wound infections (SSI). The drape has a microbiocidal effect in vitro. Consequently an antiseptic effect also occurs under the incision drape when it is applied to the skin; at the same time, bacterial wound contamination is reduced. Overall, based on the efficacy strength of the antiseptic incision drape, a reduction of the SSI rate can, however, be confirmed only with a large sample size...

An interdisciplinary working group from the German Society of Hospital Hygiene (DGKH) and the German Society for Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (DGAI) worked out the following recommendations for infection prevention during anaesthesia by using breathing system filters (BSF). The BSF shall be changed after each patient. The filter retention efficiency for airborne particles is recommended to be >99% (II). The retention performance of BSF for liquids is recommended to be at pressures of at least 60 hPa (=60 mbar) or 20 hPa above the selected maximum ventilation pressure in the anaesthetic system...

In the recent past, the antimicrobial applicability of tissue tolerable plasma (TTP) has been examined, and is increasing in importance. Many different plasma sources can be used medically. In order to obtain reliable test results by using plasma sources, it is essential not only to assess physical parameters but also to screen a use-oriented application of plasma sources. It is necessary to both determine the biological efficacy and establish uniform coverage of the treated surfaces. This article shows a simple screening method for this...

Although regular exercise is known to promote health, it is also well known that competetive sports can lead to an increase of free radical production, and thus to a drop in antioxidative potential. Thus, the present study examined the effect of competetive sports on the antioxidative potential (AOP). Using chemoluminescence, the AOP was measured in the spontaneous urine of leisure and semi-professional athletes during a training camp. Further, the parameters creatinin and uric acid were measured. It was shown that physical stress led to a drop in the antioxidant potential of up to approximately 50%...

AIM: Data concerning conversion and reversion rates in the serial testing of healthcare workers (HCWs) is rare. So far, there is no consensus on how to define and interpret interferon-gamma release assays (IGRA) conversions and reversions, or how to deal with such results. We analysed conversion and reversion rates in the serial testing of HCWs using an IGRA. METHODS: The study population comprises 287 HCWs, who participated in routine occupational safety and health screening for latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) with the QuantiFERON-TB(®) Gold In-Tube assay (QFT)...

The position of aminoglycosides within interventional antibiosis in the early phase after stem cell transplantation has not been fully clarified so far although their use can induce serious renal impairment. To investigate this question early-infection data from 152 patients undergoing 195 allogeneic and autologous stem cell transplantations were investigated. Prophylaxis and treatment of infections followed international standards; however, aminoglycosides were omitted to avoid additional risks such as ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity and increased selection of resistant pathogens...

Inadequately performed hand hygiene and non-disinfected surfaces are two reasons why the keys and mouse-buttons of laptops could be sources of microbial contamination resulting consequently in indirect transmission of potential pathogens and nosocomial infections. Until now the question has not been addressed whether the ventilation-blowers in laptops are actually responsible for the spreading of nosocomial pathogens. Therefore, an investigational experimental model was developed which was capable of differentiating between the microorganisms originating from the external surfaces of the laptop, and from those being blown out via the ventilation-blower duct...

The antimicrobial impregnation of products used everyday, such as surfaces, textiles and clothing - including those used in hospitals - is increasing. In view of potential toxic and environmental risks for users and patients, a careful risk-benefit assessment must be conducted for each newly developed product impregnated or coated with antimicrobial agents, prior to marketing and manufacture.It has been proposed that incorporation of silver threads into the clothing of emergency service workers could reduce microbial contamination over time...

In a cardiac procedure room, ventilated by a ventilation and air-conditioning system with turbulent mixed airflow, a protection zone in the operating area could be defined through visualization of airflows. Within this protection zone, no turbulence was detectable in the room air.Under the given conditions, disinfection of all surfaces including all furniture and equipment after the last operation and subsequent draping of furniture and all equipment that could not be removed from the room with sterile surgical drapes improved the indoor room air quality from cleanroom class C to cleanroom class B...

BACKGROUND: The continually rising number of hospital acquired infections and particularly MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) colonization poses a major challenge from both clinical and epidemiological perspectives. The assessment of risk factors is vital in determining the best prevention, diagnosis and treatment strategies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed 798 cases of MRSA in a large German University Hospital over a 7-year period. Data was collected retro- and prospectively including patient age, sex, type of ward and duration of inpatient stay...

After reviewing the literature about the microbial spectrum, the risk factors of post-operative infections, and the results of surgical interventions, the following recommendation can be made for the management of bite wounds:FRESH, OPEN WOUNDS: surgical debridement, if appropriate, then an antiseptic lavage with a fluid consisting of povidone iodine and ethanol (e.g., Betaseptic(®)), no antibiotics, primary wound closurenearly closed fresh wounds (e.g., cat bites): surgical debridement, if appropriate, dressing with an antiseptic-soaked compress for ~60 minutes with repeated soaking (e...

No abstract text is available yet for this article.

The prevalence of health-care associated infections caused by multi-drug resistant organisms has significantly increased over the past decade. Among these organisms, Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) plays a prominent and increasing role. Because of consequences for patients and the economic burden in course of prolonged treatment following MRSA infections and additional indirect costs for e.g. isolation or antiseptic treatment, this trend will further damage European health-care systems.In 2006, a workshop was initiated at the 8(th) International Congress of the German Society of Hospital Hygiene held in Berlin...

Childhood exanthemata are caused by a broad spectrum of common pathogens. Many exanthemata initially present very similarly, even though caused by different organisms, ranging from virus to bacteria and their respective toxins. In the majority of cases the diagnosis is only of academic value, since therapy does hardly differ. However, in some cases accurate and prompt diagnosis is paramount, since therapy and appropriate hygiene measures prevent morbidity and mortality. We present a case with two differential diagnoses, Staphylococcal Scalded Skin Syndrome and Kawasaki Syndrome, which demonstrates the importance of considering relatively rare conditions as the cause of a childhood exanthema and discuss differences in therapeutic and infection control management...

In Germany, recommendations on dealing with patients who are colonised with methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) for the inpatient sector have been published in 1999 by the Commission for Hospital Hygiene and Infection Prevention (KRINKO). Some challenges arise with regard to the practical implementation of the KRINKO recommendations. These challenges do not principally question the benefit of the recommendations but have come into criticism from users. In this commentary the German Society for Hospital Hygiene (DGKH) discusses some controversial issues and adds suggestions for unresolved problems regarding the infection control management of MRSA in healthcare settings...

The Commission for Hospital Hygiene and Infection Control (KRINKO) at the Robert Koch-Institute Berlin published the "Recommendations for Preventing and Controlling Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) Strains in Hospitals and Other Medical Facilities" in the Federal Health Gazette in 1999 [1]. These recommendations were translated for the current edition of GMS Krankenhaushygiene Interdisziplinär by the German Society of Hospital Hygiene.KRINKO's work is legitimated by section sign 23 para. 2 of the Infection Protection Act...