Rats! Infection prevention's journey during a hospital kitchen infestation.

Publication Title

American journal of infection control

Authors

Laura Staubitz, Infection Prevention and Control Department, Providence Swedish St. Peter Hospital
Lou Hilken, Infection Prevention and Control Department, Providence Swedish St. Peter HospitalFollow
Katie Bryan, Infection Prevention and Control Department, Providence Swedish St. Peter HospitalFollow

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

12-1-2023

Keywords

Animals; Rats; Food Service, Hospital; Pest Control; Infection Control; washington; swedish; psph; olympia

Abstract

Infection Prevention and Control programs have the inherent authority to institute extreme measures when an infection is a threat to wellness. This report describes an Infection Prevention and Control program's collaborative approach when a hospital kitchen was closed due to rodents, how infection risks were mitigated, and practice revisions were made to avoid future infestations. Learnings from this report can be adopted across health care settings to encourage reporting vectors and promote transparency.

Specialty/Research Institute

Infectious Diseases

DOI

10.1016/j.ajic.2023.06.009