Klebsiella in Healthcare Settings

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 that increasingly, Klebsiella bacteria have developed antimicrobial resistance, most recently to the class of antibiotics known as carbapenems.
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 for Klebsiella infections.
Klebsiella can be spread in healthcare settings through person-to-person contact or less commonly, by contamination of the environment. CDC also cautions that patients may be exposed to Klebsiella when they have contact with contaminated medical devices or equipment.
To help prevent infections, healthcare professionals should follow the appropriate infection control procedures. These include 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.
These are just a few of the many things to know about Klebsiella in healthcare environments. To learn more about this or other infection control, environmental, health or safety issues, please visit the websites shown below.
Clark Seif Clark www.csceng.com
EMSL Analytical, Inc. www.emsl.com
LA Testing www.latesting.com
Zimmetry Environmental www.zimmetry.com
CTSI www.ctsiweb.com
Healthy Indoors Magazine www.healthyindoors.com