112 Outbreak of Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae in a Regional Burn Centre
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AbstractIntroductionAntimicrobial resistance is an increasing problem in hospitals worldwide, though the prevalence of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) in our region is low. Burn patients are among the most vulnerable to infection because of the loss of the protective skin barrier. Because of this, burn centres prioritize infection prevention and control with measures like additional precautions, enhanced environmental cleaning, dedicated facilities, and mandatory use of personal protective equipment (PPE).MethodsThis report describes a CPE outbreak in a regional burn centre. We hypothesized that contamination of in-room hand hygiene sinks with CPE was a potential source of transmission. In a period of 2.5 months, four nosocomial cases of CPE were identified, three containing the KPC gene and one VIM gene. There was more than one month between the first and second KPC case, with no overlap in patient stay or rooms.ResultsThe first two cases were identified while there was no CPE patient source on the unit. CPE KPC gene was isolated in sink drains of three different rooms. In addition to the rigorous infection control practices already in place due to the unique patient population, additional outbreak control measures were implemented. The burn centre restricted admissions to complex burns or burns >10% total body surface area, in consultation with the attending surgeon. No elective admissions were permitted. To avoid CPE exposure to new patients, initial admissions were rerouted to the emergency department and, if possible, the patient was admitted to another unit. Patient cohorting was implemented through nursing team separation for CPE positive and negative patients and geographical separation of CPE positive cases to one side of the unit.ConclusionsDespite aggressive infection control measures already in place at our burn centre, there was hospital acquired CPE colonization/infection. Given there was CPE acquisition when there was no positive patients on the unit and CPE contaminated sinks of the same enzyme were identified, it suggests that hospital sink drains can become a potential source of CPE.
