Successful control of an outbreak of invasive aspergillosis in a regional haematology unit during hospital construction works

J Hosp Infect. 2008 May;69(1):33-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jhin.2008.02.010. Epub 2008 Apr 3.

Abstract

We report the successful control of an outbreak of six cases of nosocomial invasive aspergillosis (IA) in our haematology unit coinciding with major hospital construction works. Infection control changes included unit relocation, impermeable barriers at construction site, face-masking and voriconazole prophylaxis of 18 further high-risk patients, none of which developed breakthrough IA. A multi-faceted pre-emptive approach involving clinicians, hospital management, engineering and building departments is essential in preventing nosocomial IA outbreaks.

MeSH terms

  • Antifungal Agents / therapeutic use
  • Aspergillosis / epidemiology
  • Aspergillosis / prevention & control*
  • Chemoprevention
  • Cross Infection / epidemiology
  • Cross Infection / prevention & control*
  • Disease Outbreaks / prevention & control*
  • Environmental Exposure / prevention & control
  • Hematology
  • Hospital Design and Construction*
  • Hospital Units
  • Humans
  • Infection Control / methods*
  • Pyrimidines / therapeutic use
  • Triazoles / therapeutic use
  • Voriconazole

Substances

  • Antifungal Agents
  • Pyrimidines
  • Triazoles
  • Voriconazole