AN OUTBREAK OF AMINOGLYCOSIDE-RESISTANT ACINETOBACTER-CALCOACETICUS IN AN INTENSIVE-CARE SETTING

During a 5-month period in the intensive care unit of a tertiary-care hospital, an outbreak of Acinetobacter calcoaceticus var. anitratus oc curred. Of 51 patients with positive cultures, 24 died. Procedural ana lysis revealed that some health care workers had failed to wash their hands adequately, and to use latex gloves correctly. Environmental cul tures taken during the outbreak revealed 3 sources for A. calcoaceticu s, which can survive on inanimate objects for several weeks and is spr ead through cross-contamination. While common patient risk factors wer e identified, including ventilator support, IV antibiotics, prior surg ical procedures or instrumentation, and chronic medical disease, the o utbreak underscores the need for adherence by medical personnel to ase ptic techniques.