Researchers highlighted a case study from a hospital in Tokyo where the sinks in the paediatric wards were breeding grounds for multidrug-resistant bacteria.
Hospital sinks have been identified as high-risk areas for CPE contamination, as per the study.
After months of rigorous infection control measures, the outbreak was finally declared over in October 2017.
Hospital sinks have been identified as high-risk areas for CPE contamination, as per the study.
This outbreak ended because the infection prevention team implemented a bundle of core processes related to hand hygiene, and the use and disinfection of hospital sinks."
Researchers highlighted a case study from a hospital in Tokyo where the sinks in the paediatric wards were breeding grounds for multidrug-resistant bacteria.
The researchers published their findings in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC) about tackling a months-long outbreak of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) in a paediatric ward at the Toho University Omori Medical Center in Tokyo back in 2017.
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Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) are bacteria that produce enzymes called carbapenemases, which make them resistant to carbapenem antibiotics. Carbapenem antibiotics are broad-spectrum antibiotics that are effective against most types of bacteria.
Enterobacterales is an order of bacteria that includes common pathogens like Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae. When these bacteria produce carbapenemases, they become extremely difficult to treat with antibiotics, posing a serious threat to public health.
CPE infections can lead to severe illnesses and are associated with high mortality rates. CPE infections can lead to severe illnesses and are associated with high mortality rates. (Photo: Getty Images)
As per the team, despite replacing all sinks in the ward, the outbreak persisted.
CPE poses a serious threat to public health due to its resistance to common antibiotics. The study revealed how the resistance mechanism can spread among different bacterial species, accelerating the rise of antibiotic resistance.
Hospital sinks have been identified as high-risk areas for CPE contamination, as per the study.
The outbreak began with one patient in June 2016 and escalated from March to October 2017, affecting a total of 19 paediatric patients. CPE poses a serious threat to public health due to its resistance to common antibiotics. (Photo: Getty Images)
Nine sinks were found contaminated with CPE, mostly in rooms where CPE-positive patients were treated. Genome analysis identified various bacterial strains contributing to the outbreak.
Despite replacing the sinks and disinfecting them thoroughly with hydrogen peroxide, CPE contamination persisted, suggesting transmission between sinks via plumbing.
The infection prevention team, comprising medical professionals, introduced several measures to control the outbreak, including hand disinfection after sink use and using disposable tools for sink cleaning.
After months of rigorous infection control measures, the outbreak was finally declared over in October 2017. Hospital sinks have been identified as high-risk areas for CPE contamination, as per the study. (Photo: Getty Images)
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"Our experience highlights the importance of focusing on sinks and other water-related areas in hospital wards, as these are critical for CPE transmission and therefore major fronts in the fight against antibiotic resistance," said Dr Sadako Yoshizawa, Associate Professor at Toho University School of Medicine.
The study highlights the need for a holistic approach to infection prevention.
Tania Bubb, president of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, said, "Even a measure as definitive as replacing contaminated sinks may not be enough to stop the spread of antibiotic-resistant organisms. This outbreak ended because the infection prevention team implemented a bundle of core processes related to hand hygiene, and the use and disinfection of hospital sinks."
Published By: Daphne Clarance Published On: Apr 12, 2024
