Use of strain typing data to estimate bacterial transmission rates in healthcare settings

Brian R. Jackson, Alun Thomas, Karen C. Carroll, Frederick R. Adler, Matthew H. Samore

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To create an affordable and accurate method for continuously monitoring bacterial transmission rates in healthcare settings. DESIGN: We present a discrete simulation model that relies on the relationship between in-hospital transmission rates and strain diversity. We also present a proof of concept application of this model to a prospective molecular epidemiology data set to estimate transmission rates for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. SETTING: Inpatient units of an academic referral center. PATIENTS: All inpatients with nosocomial infections. INTERVENTION: Mathematical model to estimate transmission rates. RESULTS: Maximum likelihood estimates for transmission rates of these two species on different hospital units ranged from 0 to 0.36 transmission event per colonized patient per day. CONCLUSIONS: This approach is feasible, although estimates of transmission rates based solely on strain typed clinical cultures may be too imprecise for routine use in infection control. A modest level of surveillance sampling substantially improves the estimation accuracy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)638-645
Number of pages8
JournalInfection control and hospital epidemiology
Volume26
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2005
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Epidemiology
  • Microbiology (medical)
  • Infectious Diseases

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