Infection prevention and control in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF): Results from a survey in 35 German CF treatment centers

J Cyst Fibros. 2020 May;19(3):384-387. doi: 10.1016/j.jcf.2019.10.012. Epub 2019 Oct 31.

Abstract

This survey evaluates whether the Cystic Fibrosis (CF)-specific infection prevention and control (IPC) recommendations released by the Commission for Hospital Hygiene and Infection Prevention (KRINKO) in 2012 have been implemented in specialized German CF facilities. Of 35 participating centers (response rate 32.7%), 37% care for more than 100 patients and 44% treat mainly adults. Clinics for adult CF patients report a shortage of qualified personnel for intensified environmental cleaning. Some hospitals struggle to provide single patient rooms with an adjacent sanitary area to segregate CF patients strictly. Most centers offer at least one decolonization cycle (including systemic and inhalative antibiotics) to patients colonized with MRSA. In CF centers in Germany, the KRINKO IPC recommendations are considered helpful by the attending physicians and thoroughly implemented. There is room for improvement concerning strict segregation of inpatients with CF in single patient rooms, in particular in large CF centers mainly caring for adults.

Keywords: Commission for hygiene and infection control; Cystic fibrosis; Infection prevention and control; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Segregation; Survey.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cross Infection / prevention & control
  • Cystic Fibrosis* / epidemiology
  • Cystic Fibrosis* / microbiology
  • Cystic Fibrosis* / therapy
  • Environmental Monitoring / methods
  • Environmental Monitoring / standards
  • Female
  • Germany / epidemiology
  • Guideline Adherence / standards
  • Health Care Surveys
  • Health Services Needs and Demand
  • Health Workforce / standards
  • Hospitals, Special* / organization & administration
  • Hospitals, Special* / standards
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Patient Isolation / organization & administration*
  • Pseudomonas Infections* / epidemiology
  • Pseudomonas Infections* / prevention & control
  • Pseudomonas Infections* / therapy
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa / isolation & purification*
  • Respiratory Tract Infections* / epidemiology
  • Respiratory Tract Infections* / microbiology
  • Respiratory Tract Infections* / prevention & control