What strategies can prevent cross‑infection among patients in a crowded common ward?

Preventing Cross-Infection in Crowded Common Wards

Implement a comprehensive bundle of infection control measures including single-room isolation or cohorting of infected/colonized patients, strict contact precautions with gloves and gowns, alcohol-based hand hygiene before and after all patient contacts, enhanced environmental cleaning with audit feedback, and active surveillance screening for high-risk patients. 1, 2

Patient Isolation and Spatial Organization

Single-room isolation is the preferred method for patients with confirmed or suspected infections, particularly those with multidrug-resistant organisms. 1 When single rooms are unavailable due to crowding, implement cohorting strategies where patients infected or colonized with the same pathogen are grouped together in designated areas. 1

Priority for single-room isolation should be given to patients with:

• Fecal or urinary incontinence 1
• Invasive devices or equipment 1
• Continuous wound secretions 1
• Highly transmissible pathogens 1

Compartmentalization within the ward is critical when crowding prevents adequate isolation. 1 Establish distinct zones with designated staff who work exclusively in their assigned compartment, minimizing movement between zones. 1 When movement is necessary, healthcare workers must perform hand hygiene at designated checkpoints between compartments. 1

Hand Hygiene and Contact Precautions

Alcohol-based hand rub before and after all patient contacts is the single most important measure to prevent cross-infection. 2, 3 This is the preferred method for routine hand antisepsis unless hands are visibly soiled with body fluids, in which case soap and water should be used. 2, 3

Healthcare workers must wear gloves and gowns before entering rooms of colonized or infected patients and remove them promptly after care, followed immediately by hand hygiene. 1, 2 These contact precautions should be maintained throughout the entire hospitalization. 1, 2

Critical pitfall: Artificial nails must be prohibited among healthcare workers as they significantly increase transmission risk. 2

Active Surveillance and Screening

Perform active screening cultures at hospital admission for high-risk patients, including those with prior ICU stays, prolonged antibiotic therapy, central venous catheters, mechanical ventilation, or recent hospitalization abroad. 2 Use rectal or perirectal swabs, inguinal area swabs, and samples from manipulated sites such as catheters and wounds. 1, 2

For patients remaining in crowded wards, implement weekly screening for those at high risk due to prolonged hospitalization, ongoing antibiotic therapy, underlying disease, or presence of invasive devices. 1

Use alert codes to identify patients with known colonization at ward admission and implement pre-emptive contact precautions immediately. 1

Environmental Cleaning and Equipment Management

Monitor cleaning performance with audit and feedback mechanisms to ensure consistent environmental disinfection. 1, 2 Protocols must specify which items require disinfection, which disinfectant agents to use (including proper dilutions and contact times), and frequency of cleaning. 1, 2

Dedicate non-critical patient-care equipment to individual patients or cohorts of patients with the same pathogen. 1 In crowded wards where equipment sharing is unavoidable, implement rigorous disinfection protocols between each patient use. 1

Clean high-touch surfaces (bed rails, bedside tables, door handles) with hypochlorite at 1000 ppm daily or after each patient discharge. 1 Consider ward closure to new admissions during active outbreaks to facilitate intensive environmental cleaning. 1

Staff Management and Cohorting

Cohort nursing staff to care exclusively for infected or colonized patients, preventing them from caring for uninfected patients during the same shift. 1 This prevents healthcare workers from serving as vectors between infected and uninfected patients. 1

In crowded wards, designate specific staff members to each compartment or patient cohort, minimizing cross-coverage. 1 When staff must move between zones, ensure strict adherence to hand hygiene and equipment change protocols. 1

Scheduling and Patient Flow Management

Schedule appointments and procedures to reduce numbers of patients in waiting areas, maintaining at least 1-2 meters of social distancing. 1 Extend times between procedures to allow for thorough cleaning and disinfection. 1

When possible, schedule suspected or confirmed infectious patients at the end of clinic day to minimize exposure to other patients. 1 Triage patients to perform imaging and procedures only in urgent cases, reducing unnecessary patient movement through the ward. 1

Inform all healthcare professionals which patients are suspected or confirmed infectious prior to any transfer or procedure. 1

Education and Compliance Monitoring

Conduct educational programs ensuring healthcare workers understand the epidemiological importance of preventing pathogen spread and which control measures are proven effective. 1, 2 Hold multidisciplinary meetings every 2-4 weeks with physicians, nurses, respiratory technicians, pharmacists, and environmental service personnel to review adherence audits and provide feedback. 2

Monitor hand hygiene compliance and provide real-time feedback to healthcare workers to achieve greater adherence. 2 Audit adherence to contact precautions to ensure interventions are correctly performed. 1

Antimicrobial Stewardship

Implement aggressive antimicrobial stewardship programs to restrict unnecessary broad-spectrum antibiotic use, particularly carbapenems, fluoroquinolones, and third-generation cephalosporins. 2 Prior carbapenem exposure is the strongest predictor for acquiring multidrug-resistant organisms (OR 8.4). 2

Critical Pitfalls to Avoid

Do not assume standard precautions alone are sufficient in crowded wards—contact precautions with isolation or cohorting are essential. 1 Do not discontinue isolation prematurely; maintain precautions throughout hospitalization or until negative cultures are documented per local protocol. 1

Do not overlook environmental reservoirs—hospital equipment and surfaces can harbor pathogens and serve as transmission sources in crowded settings. 1 Do not allow caregivers to stay in isolation rooms, as this increases transmission risk. 1

Monitor for adverse effects of isolation including reduced contact with healthcare providers, decreased quality of life, and psychological distress, particularly in prolonged isolation scenarios. 1, 2