Press Statement On New CDC MMWR On Klebseilla Pneumonia Carbapenemase-Producing Organisms

Main Category: Infectious Diseases / Bacteria / Viruses
Also Included In: Respiratory / Asthma;  Public Health;  MRSA / Drug Resistance
Article Date: 20 Mar 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have released new infection control recommendations on Klebseilla pneumoniae Carbapenemase (KPC)-Producing Organisms, one of the most treatment-resistant gram-negative bacterium. Recent studies have shown that infections with these highly resistant bacteria are a growing problem in health care settings. In Guidance for Control of Infections with Carbapenem-Resistant or Carbapenemase-Producing Enterobacteriaceae in Acute Care Facilities published in the MMWR, CDC recommends an aggressive infection control approach to limit the emergence of these organisms.

Below Are Quotes from Mark Rupp, MD, President of SHEA

"The new guidelines highlight the need to educate clinicians and public health professionals about the importance of screening for Klebsiella pneuomoniae Carbapenemase (KPC)-Producing Organisms. If hospitals follow the CDC guidelines to detect and identify Klebsiella and Carbapenemase, then we can potentially halt the transmission of a highly treatment-resistant Gram-negative organism and prevent a large scale public health problem.

While KPC is still rare and occurs only sporadically in most parts of the country, an aggressive infection control approach needs to be taken now. These new guidelines suggest that facilities start by checking microbioloigy results for the last six to twelve months. Facilities finding evidence of these organisms should conduct a focused risk assessment or examine high-risk wards including intensive care units to make sure there is no evidence of ongoing transmission. The strategy for testing uses a selection process to get rid of most other organisms and focuses on the ones that are likely to be treatment-resistant including Carbapenem resistant Klebsiella.

For example, Israel has had widespread public health problems with these organisms, yet has managed to contain them in a short time period by implementing targeted screening and prevention practices.

The focused screening is important because there is a need to be both proactive in preventing the spread of KPCs yet judicious and mindful of limited hospital resources."

Notes:

The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) was organized in 1980 to foster the development and application of the science of healthcare epidemiology. SHEA focuses on a variety of disciplines and activities directed at preventing and controlling infections and adverse outcomes and enhancing the quality of care.

Source: Sharon Reis
Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America

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