Many hospital rooms occupied by patients who suffer from Acinetobacter baumannii infections may continue to retain sources of contamination of the deadly drug-resistant organisms. This places hospital personnel and other patients at a risk of infection long after the patient has vacated the room.

According to a survey conducted by an infectious disease specialist at the University Of Maryland School of Medicine, nearly 50% of hospital rooms used by patients who had a an Acinetobacter baumannii infection, were found to be contaminated even after the patient left the room. Signs of contamination were found on surfaces like drawer handles, touch pads and bed rails.

Researchers analyzed rooms occupied by fifty ICU patients who were infected with the Acinetobacter baumannii, a drug-resistant germ that typically causes infections in critical care units. These organisms often cause deadly infections in veterans returning from combat. Researchers tested at least ten surfaces in each room, and found that at least one was contaminated with the bacteria. 40% of the rooms showed signs of such contamination.

The most commonly contaminated surfaces were supply cart handles, with a 20% contamination rate. These were followed by flooring, infusion pumps, touch pads and bed rails. Approximately 85% of the germs that were found on the surfaces were the ones that caused the infection.

What this indicates to Arizona medical malpractice lawyers is the importance of proper sterilization and sanitization procedures for rooms occupied by patients with deadly infections. Arizona medical malpractice lawyers are also aware of other surveys that have shown that rooms of patients who suffer from MRSA and Clostridium difficile infections also have such contaminated surfaces that increase infection risks. However, the Acinetobacter baumannii bacteria is a special challenge, because these germs survive even on inanimate surfaces for days, and even months.