Rapid Spread and Control of Multidrug-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacteria in COVID-19 Patient Care Units
Ashka Patel, Michele Emerick, Marie K. Cabunoc, Michelle Hale Williams, Michael Anne Preas, Gregory M. Schrank, Ronald Rabinowitz, Paul M. Luethy, Jennifer Johnson, Surbhi Leekha
Abstract
We describe rapid spread of multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacteria among patients in dedicated coronavirus disease care units in a hospital in Maryland, USA, during May-June 2020. Critical illness, high antibiotic use, double occupancy of single rooms, and modified infection prevention practices were key contributing factors. Surveillance culturing aided in outbreak recognition and control.
Topics & Concepts
OutbreakInfection controlGram-negative bacteriaMedicineMultiple drug resistanceCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)AntibioticsIntensive care medicineMicrobiologyVirologyDiseaseBiologyInfectious disease (medical specialty)Internal medicineEscherichia coliGeneBiochemistryAntibiotic Use and ResistanceNosocomial Infections in ICUInfection Control in Healthcare