About Serratia marcescens
Contaminated IV bags used to deliver nutrients to critically ill patients are suspected as the source of at least 19 nosocimial infections detected in a number of Alabama hospitals resulting in nine deaths. Serratia marcescens is an opportunistic pathogen responsible for an increasing number of severe hospital-acquired infections. Here are some of the newest papers on the subject:
Three newborns died and six others sickened in the NICU - healthcare workers need to wash their hands before and after handling patients (it really is appalling that after Dr. Semmelweis' work 150 years ago so many health care workers continue to ignore this most basic sanitary measure). See "Investigation of an Outbreak of Serratia marcescens in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit"
But maybe health care workers aren't always to blame. Looks like bulk-refillable dispensers of anti-bacterial soap may actually become contaminated with bacteria. See "Bacterial Hand Contamination and Transfer After Washing With Soap From Contaminated Bulk-Refillable Dispensers".
"Outbreak of Neonatal Infection by an Endemic Clone of Serratia marcescens"
