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Mycobacterial Infections Due to Contaminated Heater Cooler Units used in Cardiac Bypass: An Approach for Infection Control Practitioners
Nursing and Health Papers and Journal Articles
  • Allen Cheng, Monash University
  • Andrew J Stewardson, Austin Hospital
  • Brett G Mitchell, Avondale College of Higher Education
  • Peter Collignon, Australian National University
  • Paul Johnson, Austin Health
  • Rhonda Stuart, Department of Infectious Diseases
Author Faculty (Discipline)
Nursing
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
12-1-2016
JOURNAL
Infection, Disease and Health
VOLUME NUMBER
21
ISSUE NUMBER
4
PAGE NUMBERS
154-161
Avondale Research Centre
Lifestyle Research Centre
Reportable Items (HERDC/ERA)
C1
Abstract

Mycobacterium chimaera infection in patients who have had cardiac bypass surgery has recently been associated with contamination of water in heater cooler units. Those responsible for infection prevention and control programs face the challenge of responding to this rare but potentially life-threatening and avoidable healthcare-associated infection. Infection control professionals need to be aware of this issue and take an active role in formulating hospital responses. Policies should be rational and appropriate to the level of risk, should minimise service disruption and costs, and recognise that evidence about risk mitigation measures is still emerging. This paper provides background information to the topic and proposes a risk management based approach to heater cooler units in hospitals that perform cardiac bypass surgery, so that infection control professionals can develop a local, tailored response.

Link to publisher version (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.idh.2016.10.002
Peer Review
Before publication
Comments

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Citation Information

Cheng, A. C., Stewardson, A. J., Mitchell, B. G., Collignon, P., Johnson, P. D., & Stuart, R. L. (2016). Mycobacterial infections due to contaminated heater cooler units used in cardiac bypass: An approach for infection control practitioners. Infection, Disease and Health, 21(4), 154-161. doi:10.1016/j.idh.2016.10.002