A pseudo-outbreak of hepatitis B virus caused by cross-contamination from a semiautomatic cap remover for blood collection tubes is reported. The source of the outbreak was elucidated by using basic epidemiological methods. Laboratories should always be critical about their results in order to identify contamination problems.

A total of 108 cases of candidemia detected in 3 tertiary care university hospitals in Hawaii between January 2001 and December 2002 were retrospectively reviewed. Candida albicans, Candida glabrata, and Candida tropicalis accounted for 28% of the cases. Mortality among Filipino patients was significantly higher than that among other ethnic groups (71% vs 48%; P<.05).

The annual cost of a screening program to detect methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in a teaching hospital in Spain was €10,261. The average cost per MRSA infection was €2,730; therefore, the cost of the program would be covered if it only prevented 4 infections per year (11% of the total number of MRSA infections at our hospital).

We examined the duration of survival of 2 strains of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) on 3 types of hospital fomites. MRSA survived for 11 days on a plastic patient chart, more than 12 days on a laminated tabletop, and 9 days on a cloth curtain. Irregular surfaces may help harbor organisms in the environment. In addition to contact precautions, MRSA containment during an outbreak should include concurrent environmental decontamination.

Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter species are worrisome nosocomial pathogens. After introduction of a preventive program involving clinical surveillance culture to reduce the spread of those pathogens, we observed an 80% decrease in the percentage of cultures that yielded carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter isolates. The percentage of cultures that yielded carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa remained relatively stable during the intervention.

We investigated knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors of prescribers concerning piperacillin-tazobactam use at 4 Emory University-affiliated hospitals. Discussions during focus groups indicated that the participants' perceived knowledge of clinical criteria for appropriate piperacillin-tazobactam use was inadequate. Retrospective review of medical records identified inappropriate practices. These findings have influenced ongoing interventions aimed at optimizing piperacillin-tazobactam use.

In a geriatric hospital in France, only 80 (21%) of 390 healthcare workers (HCWs) were vaccinated against influenza. Predictive factors for accepting influenza vaccination were occupation as a physician (odds ratio [OR], 9.79), previous receipt of influenza vaccination (OR, 36), and desire to protect their own health (OR, 2.42) and residents' health (OR, 3.68). Predictive factors for refusing influenza vaccination were occupation as a nurse (OR, 6.41) or nursing assistant (OR, 4.04) and belief that homeopathic medication is more effective than the vaccine (OR, 5.75).