All 3 patients in Salem Hospital, with the first int. health care risks; Cases responding to existing treatments
PORTLAND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Oregon Health Authority said late Tuesday that it is investigating the outbreak in the state’s first three cases of candida auris, a serious fungal infection that is often resistant to many antifungal medications.
The Healthcare-Associated Infection Program in the OHA Public Health Division, working with a regional public health laboratory at Seattle and Salem Hospital, has identified candida auris in three Salem Health patients.
The first case was detected at Salem Hospital on 11 December in a patient who had recent international health care exposure, and was confirmed on 17 December. candida auris Recently appeared in the United States.
Two cases did not have international health care exposure, but had epidemiological links to the first case, indicating a health care-associated prevalence. candida auris For the second and third patients – identified on 23 December and 27 December respectively.
The Healthcare-Associated Infection Program is leading the investigation, working with local public health officials, local health care partners, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the regional public health laboratory to identify cases and take appropriate infection control measures. to be ensured.
,candida auris is an emerging pathogen of concern because it can cause serious infections, especially in people with serious medical problems, and may be resistant to the antifungal drugs we have to treat,” says Rebecca Pierce, PhD, Healthcare-Associated said the Infection Program Manager. “Fortunately, the organism we are dealing with in this outbreak responds to existing treatments. However, it is important that we stop the spread of the infection.”
Jasmine Choudhary, medical director of infection prevention at Salem Health, said that the health system is taking action on several fronts to prevent the spread of infection. candida auris in Salem Hospital.
“With the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen an increase in multi-drug resistant organisms around the world and across the country, and Salem is not immune,” Chowdhury said. “Salem Health is working with the OHA and CDC to implement a rigorous plan, to implement aggressive eradication measures that have been shown to be successful in eradication at other hospitals. candida auris, These include proactive steps that will help identify new cases to contain the spread. ,
Among the effective measures: working with patient care teams to ensure frequent and effective disinfection of the health care environment; Using transmission-based precautions for those infected or colonized candida auris, following hand hygiene protocols; and conduct effective interface-transfer communication about the patient candida auris Status when transferred to another health care facility,
In addition, OHA and Salem Health are coordinating to inform health care facilities that previously received patients transferred from affected units at Salem Health, and the safe discharge of patients from Salem Health during the anticipated COVID-19 surge. to support.
candida auris There is a type of yeast that can cause serious illness, especially in hospitals and nursing homes for people suffering from serious medical conditions. According to the CDC, patients who have been hospitalized in a health care facility for a long time, have a central venous catheter or other lines or tubes entering their bodies, or have weakened immune systems, are most prone to infections and serious complications. There is more risk. the risk of candida auris Infection is extremely rare in otherwise healthy people, including health care workers.
The fungus can cause serious infections, including bloodstream infections and wound infections. It has also been isolated from respiratory and urine samples and can colonize the skin of patients. A laboratory test is needed to determine whether the patient is colonized or infected candida auris, but laboratories should be aware that it can be misdiagnosed as other types of fungus and should know when to suspect candida auris, as misidentification may delay treatment and control measures. health care facilities that suspect they have a patient candida auris Contact your local public health authority immediately.
Since 2013, more than 1,150 clinical cases of candida auris Identified in the United States. So far there have been no reported cases of the fungus identified in Oregon.
Patients who test positive or are at high risk will be contacted by Salem Health.
Visit CDC candida auris For more information, visit the website at https://www.cdc.gov/fungal/candida-auris.
