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Published in: Intensive Care Medicine 2/2006

01-02-2006 | Brief Report

Air ionisation and colonisation/infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter species in an intensive care unit

Authors: Kevin G. Kerr, Clive B. Beggs, Stephen G. Dean, Judith Thornton, Judith K. Donnelly, Neil J. Todd, P. Andrew Sleigh, Andleeb Qureshi, Charles C. Taylor

Published in: Intensive Care Medicine | Issue 2/2006

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Abstract

Objective

To determine effect of negative air ions on colonisation/infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Acinetobacter species in an intensive care unit.

Design

Prospective single-centre cross-over study in an adult general intensive care unit.

Patients

201 patients whose stay on the unit exceeded 48 hour's duration.

Intervention

Six negative air ionisers were installed on the unit but not operational for the first 5 months of the study (control period). Devices were then operational for the following 5.5 months.

Measurements and results

30 and 13 patients were colonised/infected with MRSA and Acinetobacter spp., respectively, over 10.5 months. No change in MRSA colonisation/infection was observed compared with the 5 month control period. Acinetobacter cases were reduced from 11 to 2 (p = 0.007).

Conclusion

Ionisers may have a role in the prevention of Acinetobacter infections.
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Metadata
Title
Air ionisation and colonisation/infection with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Acinetobacter species in an intensive care unit
Authors
Kevin G. Kerr
Clive B. Beggs
Stephen G. Dean
Judith Thornton
Judith K. Donnelly
Neil J. Todd
P. Andrew Sleigh
Andleeb Qureshi
Charles C. Taylor
Publication date
01-02-2006
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Intensive Care Medicine / Issue 2/2006
Print ISSN: 0342-4642
Electronic ISSN: 1432-1238
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00134-005-0002-8

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