Investigation of healthcare infection risks from water-related organisms: Summary of CDC consultations, 2014—2017

Details

• Alternative Title:
  Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol
• Personal Author:
  Perkins, Kiran M. ; Reddy, Sujan C. ; Fagan, Ryan ; Arduino, Matthew J. ; Perz, Joseph F.
• Description:
  Objective:
  
  Water exposures in healthcare settings and during healthcare delivery can place patients at risk for infection with water-related organisms and can potentially lead to outbreaks. We aimed to describe Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) consultations involving water-related organisms leading to healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
  
  Design:
  
  Retrospective observational study.
  
  Methods:
  
  We reviewed internal CDC records from January 1, 2014, through December 31, 2017, using water-related terms and organisms, excluding Legionella, to identify consultations that involved potential or confirmed transmission of water-related organisms in healthcare. We determined plausible exposure pathways and routes of transmission when possible.
  
  Results:
  
  Of 620 consultations during the study period, we identified 134 consultations (21.6%), with 1,380 patients, that involved the investigation of potential water-related HAIs or infection control lapses with the potential for water-related HAIs. Nontuberculous mycobacteria were involved in the greatest number of investigations (n = 40, 29.9%). Most frequently, investigations involved medical products (n = 48, 35.8%), and most of these products were medical devices (n = 40, 83.3%). We identified a variety of plausible water-exposure pathways, including medication preparation near water splash zones and water contamination at the manufacturing sites of medications and medical devices.
  
  Conclusions:
  
  Water-related investigations represent a substantial proportion of CDC HAI consultations and likely represent only a fraction of all water-related HAI investigations and outbreaks occurring in US healthcare facilities. Water-related HAI investigations should consider all potential pathways of water exposure. Finally, healthcare facilities should develop and implement water management programs to limit the growth and spread of water-related organisms.
  
  
• Subjects:
  Article Centers For Disease Control And Prevention, U.S. Cross Infection Disease Outbreaks Humans Nontuberculous Mycobacteria Referral And Consultation Retrospective Studies United States Waterborne Diseases Water Microbiology Water Supply

  More +
• Source:
  Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol. 40(6):621-626
• Pubmed ID:
  30942147
• Pubmed Central ID:
  PMC7883772
• Document Type:
  Journal Article
• Funding:
  CC999999/ImCDC/Intramural CDC HHS/United States
• Volume:
  40
• Issue:
  6
• Collection(s):
  CDC Public Access
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha256:badd95dd7281778f76d9c4c0b76245395a29600c885d81c17310baec6c95e84d
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/103508/cdc_103508_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 81.48 KB ]