Bacillus species pseudo-outbreak: construction works and collateral damage

Summary We describe the investigation and management of a pseudo-outbreak of Bacillus spp. bacteraemia associated with construction work in an emergency department (ED). During the pseudo-outbreak period 59 out of 3469 (1.7%) blood cultures yielded Bacillus spp. versus 24 out of 7628 (0.31%) in 2012...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:The Journal of hospital infection 2017-01, Vol.95 (1), p.118-122
Main Authors: Boix-Palop, L, Nicolás, C, Xercavins, M, Riera, M, Prim, N, Freixas, N, Pérez, J, Calbo, E
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Bacillus - isolation & purification
Bacillus spp
Bacteraemia
Bacteremia - epidemiology
Bacteremia - microbiology
Disease Outbreaks
Emergency Service, Hospital
Environmental Microbiology
Epidemiologic Studies
Hospital Design and Construction
Hospital infection
Humans
Infectious Disease
Pseudo-outbreak
Specimen Handling - methods
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Summary:Summary We describe the investigation and management of a pseudo-outbreak of Bacillus spp. bacteraemia associated with construction work in an emergency department (ED). During the pseudo-outbreak period 59 out of 3469 (1.7%) blood cultures yielded Bacillus spp. versus 24 out of 7628 (0.31%) in 2012. Material, surfaces, and air samples showed environmental contamination. Cases rapidly declined following the implementation of infection control measures and the end of construction. Construction works at the ED caused environmental contamination that most probably led to the pseudo-outbreak of Bacillus bacteraemia. In hospital settings, the lack of correctly implemented effective barriers during construction may place patients and healthcare providers at risk as well as lead to pseudo-outbreaks.
ISSN:0195-6701
1532-2939
DOI:10.1016/j.jhin.2016.10.013