Outbreak of bacterial endocarditis associated with an oral surgery practice : New Jersey public health surveillance, 2013 to 2014

Copyright © 2018 American Dental Association. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved..

BACKGROUND: In October and November 2014, the New Jersey Department of Health received reports of 3 patients who developed Enterococcus faecalis endocarditis after undergoing surgical procedures at the same oral surgery practice in New Jersey. Bacterial endocarditis is an uncommon but life-threatening condition; 3 patients with enterococcal endocarditis associated with a single oral surgery practice is unusual. An investigation was initiated because of the potential ongoing public health risk.

METHODS: Public health officials conducted retrospective surveillance to identify additional patients with endocarditis associated with the practice. They interviewed patients using a standardized questionnaire. An investigative public health team inspected the office environment, interviewed staff, and reviewed medical records.

RESULTS: Public health officials identified 15 confirmed patients with enterococcal endocarditis of those patients who underwent procedures from December 2012 through August 2014. Among these patients, 12 (80%) underwent cardiac surgery. One (7%) patient died from complications of endocarditis and subsequent cardiac surgery. Breaches of recommended infection prevention practices were identified that might have resulted in transmission of enterococci during the administration of intravenous sedation, including failure to perform hand hygiene and failure to maintain aseptic technique when performing procedures and handling medications.

CONCLUSIONS: This investigation highlights the importance of adhering to infection prevention recommendations in dental care settings. No additional patients with endocarditis were identified after infection prevention and control recommendations were implemented.

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Infection prevention training should be emphasized at all levels of professional dental training. All dental health care personnel establishing intravenous treatment and administering intravenous medications should be trained in safe injection practices.

Medienart:

E-Artikel

Erscheinungsjahr:

2018

Erschienen:

2018

Enthalten in:

Zur Gesamtaufnahme - volume:149

Enthalten in:

Journal of the American Dental Association (1939) - 149(2018), 3 vom: 15. März, Seite 191-201

Sprache:

Englisch

Beteiligte Personen:

Ross, Kathleen M [VerfasserIn]
Mehr, Jason S [VerfasserIn]
Greeley, Rebecca D [VerfasserIn]
Montoya, Lindsay A [VerfasserIn]
Kulkarni, Prathit A [VerfasserIn]
Frontin, Sonya [VerfasserIn]
Weigle, Trevor J [VerfasserIn]
Giles, Helen [VerfasserIn]
Montana, Barbara E [VerfasserIn]

Links:

Volltext

Themen:

Endocarditis
Enterococcus faecalis
Health care–associated outbreak
Infection control
Injection safety
Journal Article

Anmerkungen:

Date Completed 29.10.2019

Date Revised 09.01.2021

published: Print-Electronic

Citation Status MEDLINE

doi:

10.1016/j.adaj.2017.10.002

funding:

Förderinstitution / Projekttitel:

PPN (Katalog-ID):

NLM280577656