Nosocomial infection

From April 1, 2012, to March 31, 2013, 95 healthcare facilities participated in the surveillance of Clostridium difficile–associated diarrhea (CDAD), for a combined total of 5,233,966 inpatient days. The participating facilities reported 3,797 cases of healthcare-associated (HA) CDAD. The total incidence rate of HA-CDAD was 7.3 cases per 10,000 patient days. This incidence rate was stable compared to the rate of 2011–2012. The 10-day case fatality was 8.7% (n=304…

From April 1, 2012, to March 31, 2013, 88 healthcare facilities took part in the surveillance of methicillinresistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) bloodstream infections, for a combined total of 5,011,231 patient days. Together, these facilities reported 147 cases of healthcare-associated MRSA bloodstream infections. The incidence rate was 0.29/10,000 patient days. This incidence rate has declined over the past five years. The proportion of methicillin…

From April 1, 2012, to March 31, 2013, 89 healthcare facilities took part in the surveillance of healthcare-associated vancomycin-resistant enterococci (HA-VRE) infections, for a combined total of 5,017,791 patient days. In total, 41 cases of VRE infection were reported among patients who contracted the strain during a current or previous hospital stay in the reporting facility (categories 1a + 1b). The incidence rate of HA-VRE infection (cat. 1a + 1b) was 0.08/10,000…

Every year, over 3 million patients, including many cases of transmissible infections, arrive at Québec's emergency departments on foot or by ambulance. In Québec, reference documents are available on emergency department organization and design. However, at present, there are few recommendations for infection prevention and control (IPC) in the literature that focus on practice in an emergency care setting.

This document has been prepared in connection with Action 8…

Divider curtains are often used in health care settings to surround patient’s bed and provide privacy. Many factors contribute to the concern that these curtains are a potential source for the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms: 1) caregivers and patients touch curtains frequently; 2) in some settings, curtains are not often cleaned or changed; 3) health care workers and patients who handle curtains do not necessarily cleanse their hands before (or after) touching them.

In May…