Six patients with indwelling catheters develop urinary tract infections caused by Escherichia coli.The isolates from all six patients are identical.Which of the following steps should be used to identify the source of infection?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The identical isolates strongly suggest that the infections originated from a common source, likely a breach in infection control measures. Questioning hospital staff can help determine if proper infection control procedures, such as hand hygiene, catheter maintenance, and sterile techniques, are being followed. Testing for antibiotic resistance or implementing air filters may not address the root cause of the outbreak. While ensuring proper use of personal protective equipment such as gloves is important for preventing the spread of infections, it may not provide insight into the source of the outbreak in this case.

Six Patients with Indwelling Catheters Develop Urinary Tract Infections Caused