The need for maximal sterile barrier precaution in routine interventional coronary procedures; microbiology analysis

[Medico-legal implications of infections during interventionnal cardiology procedure]

Nosocomial infections in interventional cardiology are rare, but their extreme severity is responsible for medico-legal issues. By the will of the legislator, it should be understood that, as soon as the nosocomial nature of an infection has been recognized, the victims will almost systematically obtain compensation. The payer will be determined by the level of seriousness of the infection and the existence or not of a possible fault. To avoid a conviction, the care teams must compel themselves to respect the recommendations of the professional societies, but also to ensure a perfect traceability of the prophylactic measures. Particular attention must be paid to the management of the vascular approach. Finally, it is essential to inform patients and all those involved in the healthcare chain of the need to get in touch with the intervention team if suspicious signs of an infection appear, to allow for specialized cares.

Contamination of reusable electroencephalography electrodes: A multicenter study

BACKGROUND

Reusable electroencephalography cup electrodes and lead wires (rEEGs-CELWs) could be a source of microorganisms capable of causing hospital-acquired infections. The purpose of this study was to investigate for bacterial species of cleaned rEEGs-CELWs.

METHODS

This microbiologic evaluation involved 4 epilepsy monitoring units where rEEGs-CELWs were swabbed for bacteria using standard techniques. Analyses involved descriptive statistics and logistic regression (across sites).

RESULTS

Of 124 swabs, 31 (25.0%; range, 13.3%-43.3%) showed positive bacterial cultures, without between-site differences (P = .17). Bacteria were labeled by risk for hospital-acquired infection: no risk, potential risk (primarily in immunocompromised patients), and at risk (associated with infections and antibiotic resistance). At-risk bacteria species were Staphylococcus epidermidis (38.7%), Staphylococcus capitis subsp ureolyticus (3.2%), and Staphylococcus haemolyticus (9.6%). Potential-risk species were Micrococcus spp (22.6%), Acinetobacter lwoffii (6.5%), Staphylococcus hominis subsp hominis (6.5%), and Staphylococcus warneri (6.5%). Bacillus (9.6%) was the only no-risk species. Of 18 antibiotics tested on positive cultures, resistant bacteria were found in a median of 1 (range, 0-11) positive culture, equating to a 6.7% (range, 0%-61.1%) resistant antibiotic rate; no microorganisms were resistant to all antibiotics tested.

CONCLUSIONS

Bacteria that were potential risk or at risk for infection were found on 22.6% of cleaned rEEGs-CELWs. Use of single-use electrodes and research on scalp infection and infection reduction interventions are warranted.