New Study Finds High Rates of Drug Resistant Bacteria Growing in Infected Patient Rooms

This month, a new study was published in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC) demonstrating the common presence of a dangerous multi-drug resistant bacteria.  Researchers found that MDR-AB was present in the environment of 48% of the rooms of patients infected or colonized by the pathogen.
 
Researchers from the University of Maryland’s School of Medicine sampled 50 rooms inhabited by patients with a history of MDR-AB infections.  Ten surface samples were collected from each room from such locations as door knobs, nurse call buttons and other locations.  The surprisingly high frequency of MDR-AB demonstrates the importance of sanitation and disinfection procedures used at healthcare facilities. 
 
Acinteobacter is a group of bacteria commonly found in soil and water.  There are a number of species that cause illness in humans, but Acinetobacter baumannii accounts for close to 80% of all reported infections related to this bacteria.
 
“Outbreaks of Acinetobacter infections typically occur in intensive care units and healthcare settings housing very ill patients.  Acinetobacter infections rarely occur outside of healthcare settings,” reported Richard Hayes, President of UltraViolet Devices, Inc. (UVDI).  “New technologies are changing the infection control options for mitigating HAIs such as MDR-AB, MRSA, C-diff and other microbial pathogens.  Proven, cost effective strategies that utilize ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, or UVGI, are one of the most successful tools available for mitigating HAIs.”    
 
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) one out of every twenty hospital patients acquires an infection while being treated for another illness and the infection is often MRSA.  Reducing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) has become a central focus of the CDC in recent years.
 
To learn more about ultraviolet area disinfection and indoor air quality (IAQ) please visit www.UVDI.com, email info@UVDI.com or call (877) 787-3882.
 
About UltraViolet Devices, Inc.
UVDI is a leading manufacturer and supplier of UV-C products for air, surface and water disinfection. Under the ALTRU-V® brand, UVDI markets a full line of products for the HVACR market designed to reduce energy consumption and lower maintenance costs while delivering cleaner, healthier air.  Under UVDI’s Sparks Technology™ brand, the company markets gas phase filtration products for use in commercial and industrial applications worldwide.

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Paul Cochrane

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