University Hospital of San Rafael de Tunja in Boyacá, a Klebsiella pneumoniae bacterial outbreak. Although they confirmed its presence at the healthcare facility, their directives stated that there was an outbreak in other hospitals in Colombia.
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“There are many hospitals. Thanks to studies in the field of epidemiology, we can say that San Rafael Hospital is the only health institution that screens and identifies cases,” said Germán Pertuz, director of the organization. the most important department.
“We would like to clarify that the epidemic is not only in Boyacá, but also in Bogotá, in Valle del Cauca and on the Atlantic Coast.“, he stated.
It is a bacterium that is found in the intestinal flora of humans without causing any harm. But, extraintestinal is dangerous.
According to medical literature, it is a producer of Carbapenemases, a subspecies of enterobacteria that are resistant to a group of antibiotics.
Therefore, the World Health Organization recognizes it as a common gut bacteria” Can cause life-threatening infections“.
It is transmitted through contact or contaminated surfaces.; not by air.
“This is a bacterium that is found in the digestive tract of healthy patients and does not cause disease in them, but it adheres well to infected surfaces, catheters, etc.,” said researcher María Teresa Muniesa. University of Barcelona for Spanish language.
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Generally, Klebsiella pneumoniae spreads in hospitals and can cause serious complications for patients. “This is considered a problem with possible repercussions at the public health level,” says a scientific paper by researchers at National University and the National Cancer Institute.
According to the World Health Organization, Causes hospital infectionsSuch as pneumonia, sepsis or infections in newborns and patients in intensive care units.
As for the treatment; Antibiotics and other medications are required, which can even be administered intravenously.
According to the statement of Nubia Esperanza Zea, epidemiology controller of San Rafael de Tunja Hospital, 28 cases were detected.
“The vast majority of patients are colonized, that is, they carry bacteria, but they do not show any symptoms related to bacteria. We have not experienced any deaths due to bacteria,” he said.
(Continue reading: A bacteria in the gut may prevent the spread of salmonella).
They are monitoring relevant cases of infection: “They are the minority.” He also reiterated that it is a bacteria that occasionally appears in healthcare institutions.
Patients who meet risk criteria such as being hospitalized in the last three months, being in Intensive Care Units or on dialysis, They take a rectal swab to determine if they are colonized by bacteria or infected.
“Thanks to screening in the emergency department, we can identify patients from the moment they are admitted. We have isolation areas that allow us to isolate them from others and prevent cross-infection,” added Óscar, the hospital’s emergency department coordinator. Jiménez.
They will continue their surveillance and control duties in order to prevent it from spreading to other services of the institution. Its directives invited other health institutions to implement relevant epidemiological measures.
The Pan American Health Organization pays special attention to hand hygiene measuresIt is the cleaning of the environment and the protection of hands and clothes (body) from contact with the infected patient and his environment.
In this sense, We recommend disinfecting surfaces that people touch more frequently in hospitals and health centers.“At least twice a day, including those in close contact with the patient (e.g., chairs, beds, tables used by the patient) and the floor,” a guideline from the health authority states.
In addition to the special protections doctors employ, family members or visitors of infected patients should also wear gloves and gowns for close contact. Once the visit is over, they should remove the gloves and gown and wash their hands accordingly.
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Source: Exame
