How to Prevent Klebsiella Infections

Klebsiella infections are caused by bacteria in the Klebsiella genus. Klebsiella pneumoniae is the most common source of klebsiella infections and has become more familiar in hospital settings. It is becoming increasingly resistant to antibiotics, and its virulence results from its production of a heat-stable enterotoxin. Klebsiella usually infects the lungs first, but infections in the urinary tract also are common. The following steps will show how to prevent klebsiella infections.

Instructions

• 1

  Limit the spread of antibiotic resistant klebsiella infections in the hospital by following their protocols. The use of certain antibiotics may be restricted to specific conditions and the treatment duration also may be limited. Consider the use of cytoprotective agents.

• 2

  Culture Klebsiellae and run tests to determine the antibiotic susceptibility of that particular strain. Klebsiella resistance patterns vary widely by location.

• 3

  Wash your hands to prevent Klebsiellae from being transmitted from patient to patient. Remove catheters and tubes when no longer needed and place intubated patients in a semi-recumbent position to allow drainage to flow out of the body.

• 4

  Decrease the duration and intensity of intentional immunosuppression of patients, if possible.

• 5

  Place patients with highly antibiotic-resistant strains in contact isolation. Neonatal patients with diarrhea caused by a klebsiella infection should also be isolated. Patients with serious infections may need to be transferred to a tertiary care facility.

• 6

  Use single-use devices to limit the transmission of Klebsiellae from contaminated equipment. Nebulizers were a major source of infection before they became disposable.