Protected: Acinetobacter Baumannii

Acinetobacter baumannii is a gram-negative bacterium that is found in the environment including drinking water, soil and sewage. It can also be found on the skin of some healthy individuals. A.baumannii infections in the community are very rare and almost exclusively occur in the hospital setting. It is an opportunistic pathogen affecting those with underlying health problems and infection is often associated with invasive or indwelling medical devices.

Infections can be very difficult to treat as A.baumannii is intrinsically resistant to many antimicrobial agents and can acquire resistance easily. This includes increasing resistance to the carbapenem class of antibiotics which are often the last resort for treatment.

It is a Contact Spread organism.

Transmission is possible from contact with colonised environmental sources or the skin of colonised individuals.

A.baumannii can cause pneumonia, bloodstream infections, meningitis, urinary tract infections and surgical site infections including necrotising fasciitis. Symptoms will depend on the area of the body affected.

At risk groups include patients who are immunocompromised, have chronic lung disease, diabetes, or burn injuries.

If NIAS staff are aware that the patient has a suspected or confirmed Acinetobacter baumannii this should be communicated to EAC and ED staff when transferring the patient to ensure effective patient care and management.

• Standard Precautions should be used.
• Hand Hygiene should be completed as per the 5 moments in line with usual practice.
• Eye protection should be risk assessed for any concern regarding a splash risk.
• Gloves and Aprons should be risk assessed and worn if contact with the patient’s blood or bodily fluids.
• All equipment and the ambulance should have a deep clean paying particular attention to touch points.
• Laundry should be treated as contaminated, placed into an alginate bag and placed into a red laundry bag.

Contact Precautions may be required with high risk patients such as those with Cystic Fibrosis and Neonates.

No staff follow up required.

The IPC team can be contacted for further advice. The team will be able to help staff risk assess the patient and precautions required and to provide support where required.