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Outbreak of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia Bacteremia Among Patients Undergoing Bone Marrow Transplantation: Association With Faulty Replacement of Handwashing Soap

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2015

Jeffrey D. Klausner*
Affiliation:
Departments of Medicine and Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, Washington
Carol Zukerman
Affiliation:
Department of Epidemiology, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, Washington
Ajit P. Limaye
Affiliation:
Departments of Medicine and Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, Washington
Lawrence Corey
Affiliation:
Departments of Medicine and Laboratory Medicine, University of Washington, Swedish Medical Center, Seattle, Washington
*
STD Control and Prevention Services, San Francisco Department of Public Health, 1360 Mission Ave, Suite 401, San Francisco, CA 94103

Abstract

Using molecular typing methods, we confirmed an outbreak of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia among bone marrow transplant patients. The likely source was a healthcare worker who may have washed with moisturizer instead of soap between patients. Hospital epidemiologists need to go beyond antibiograms when evaluating outbreaks and be vigilant about all aspects of hand washing.

Type
Concise Communications
Copyright
Copyright © The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America 1999

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