Hospital acquired infections Flashcards
What are common organisms causing hospital-acquired infections?
S. aureus Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus Clostridioides difficile E. coli Candida albicans
What are the signs and symptoms of a C. difficile infection?
Symptoms include watery diarrhea, fever, nausea, and abdominal pain
How does C. difficile spread?
Bacterial spores found within feces
What antibiotics will work against C. difficile infection?
metronidazole, vancomycin or fidaxomicin
What is the mechanism of action of vancomycin?
Vancomycin binds to the acyl-D-ala-D-ala portion of the growing cell wall. After binding, it prevents the cell wall from forming the cross-linking necessary to keep it strong
What type of bacterium is C. difficile?
Gram-positive
What are the risk factors for acquiring a C. difficile infection?
Antibiotic use (fluoroquinolones, cephalosporins, and clindamycin)
Healthcare environment
What is the mechanism of action of Clindamycin?
Clindamycin acts by inhibiting bacterial protein synthesis at the level of the 50S ribosome
What type of bacteria is MRSA?
Group of Gram-positive bacteria
What are the signs and symptoms of a MRSA infection?
The initial presentation of MRSA is small red bumps that resemble pimples, spider bites, or boils; they may be accompanied by fever and, occasionally, rashes.
Within a few days, the bumps become larger and more painful; they eventually open into deep, pus-filled boils
How would you manage an MRSA infection?
Treatment of MRSA infection is urgent and delays can be fatal
Vancomycin is first line of treatment
An 80 year old woman develops profuse diarrhoea while in hospital, 4 days after emergency surgery for a hip fracture. The Bristol stool score is 7.
Which is the most appropriate initial management step?
Move her to a side room. She has C.diff. Vancomycin is first line treatment but need to isolate too.
