Infection Control Resources to Mitigate Patient Exposure Risks to Klebsiella and Other Pathogens

An article published last year in Emerging Infectious Diseases detailed a notable increase of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) infections in New York City during 2021 through June of 2022. The data for the study came from a large public healthcare system in New York City that serves more than 1.2 million people each year.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) describes Klebsiella as a type of gram-negative bacteria that can cause different types of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). These can include pneumonia, bloodstream infections, wound or surgical site infections, and meningitis. The agency warns Klebsiella bacteria have increasingly developed antimicrobial resistance.

The bacteria are normally found in the human intestines (where they do not cause disease), and also in human feces. CDC reports that in healthcare settings, Klebsiella infections commonly occur among sick patients who are receiving treatment for other conditions. For example, patients whose care requires devices like ventilators or intravenous catheters, and patients who are taking long courses of certain antibiotics are most at risk.

“Infections due to Klebsiella in healthcare environments can be due to person-to-person contact, contaminated medical devices or equipment, or contamination of the indoor environment,” said Frank Selamie, President of CTSI. “To help prevent infections, healthcare professionals should follow the appropriate infection control procedures, including hand hygiene, wearing gowns and gloves when entering rooms where patients with Klebsiella–related illnesses are housed, and adhering to strict cleaning and disinfection procedures.”

To support infection control programs to mitigate infection risks due to Klebsiella and other pathogens, CTSI offers buildings assessments, environmental testing, monitoring, consulting, and infection control training services. They also recently sponsored an educational video about Klebsiella and potential exposure risks in healthcare settings that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/inYfYcISTQI

To learn more about this or other infection control, industrial hygiene, environmental, health, and safety services, please visit www.ctsiweb.com, email contactus@ctsiweb.com, or call (212) 971-7016.

About CTSI
Established in 1992, Consulting & Testing Services, Inc. (CTSI) was founded on one strong commitment: to provide efficient and expert services to clients based on professionalism, innovation, and cost-effective expert solutions. This commitment has been furthered with CTSI’s reputation in fostering client relationships in all sectors of the Environmental, Health, Safety, and Construction industries. CTSI prides itself in utilizing a high quality service based on its diverse team of staff and professionals’ concise recommendations and solutions to the most pressing dilemmas. The company operates offices in New York and Florida that service clients across the United States.

Contact Information

Paul Cochrane

President

Cochrane & Associates, LLC

Contact via E-mail