Washington, Mar 16 : Hand-washing, a clean environment, appropriate infection barriers, and early identification of patients at high risk of colonization with a transmissible microorganism are some of the infection control strategies adopted by hospitals for antibiotic-resistant organisms.

A review of the control strategies has revealed the above measures after looking at the most effective methods, and the supporting evidence to control hospital infection.

Risk factors associated with colonization of antibiotic-resistant microorganisms include increasing age of patient and severity of disease, increasing length of hospital stay, admission to an intensive care unit, and proximity to patients carrying an antimicrobial-resistant organism.

Use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and/or prolonged use of antibiotics are also risk factors.

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Clostridium difficile (C. difficile), and vancomycin-resistant enterococci are the most common antimicrobial-resistant pathogens.

Resistance is more prevalent in hospital-acquired infections compared to community-acquired infections.

The detailed review is published in the latest issue of CMAJ. (ANI)