Brief Report
Serratia marcescens outbreak in a COVID-19 intensive care unit – Are there any factors specific to COVID-19 units that facilitate bacterial cross-contamination between COVID-19 patients?

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2021.10.005Get rights and content

Highlights

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    Bacterial outbreaks in COVID-19 dedicated units have been reported in the literature.

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    Superinfection of COVID-19 patients is associated with worse clinical outcomes.

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    Some factors, specific to COVID-19 units, can increase bacterial cross-contamination.

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    Raising awareness for such factors can decrease COVID-19 units outbreaks.

Summary

COVID-19 dedicated units were created early in the pandemic. Despite their need, factors specific to these units can possibly increase the risk of bacterial cross-contamination between COVID-19 patients. We report a Serratia marcescens outbreak in a COVID-19 intensive care unit, later discussing factors specific to COVID-19 units that may facilitate bacterial cross-contamination in such units, and raising awareness for such an issue.

Keywords

Critical care
Cross-contamination
Infection control

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Conflicts of interest: The authors certify that they have NO affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest (such as honoraria; educational grants; participation in speakers’ bureaus; membership, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, or other equity interest; and expert testimony or patent-licensing arrangements), or non–financial interest (such as personal or professional relationships, affiliations, knowledge or beliefs) in the subject matter or materials discussed in this manuscript.

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© 2021 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.