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Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology
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Multi-resistant bacteria diagnostics

There are a large number of pathogens in hospitals, with certain germs (e.g. multi-resistant bacteria, etc.) being of particular relevance. Patients who are carriers of such germs or who are at risk of resistant or easily transmissible germs (e.g. repatriation from a foreign hospital) must be isolated in hospital. Medical devices and certain environmental samples must also be regularly tested for pathogens (potentially disease-causing agents) to protect patients.

Diagnostics in the hospital hygiene laboratory

Pathogen detection of patients with multi-resistant germs

The following pathogens can be detected in the hospital hygiene laboratory:

  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
  • Vancomycin-resistant enterococci
  • Multi-resistant Gram-negative rods (multi-drug resistant, MDR)
    • Extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) formers
    • Carbapenemase-producing enterobacteria (carbapenemase-producing enterobacteriaceae, CPE)

Sample material

The hospital hygiene laboratory analyzes:

  • Airborne germ measurements (aspergillus)
  • Water tests (legionella)
  • Microbiological controls of medical devices

Epidemiological studies

The frequent detection of specific pathogens may be associated with transmission in hospital. In such situations, it may be necessary to examine and characterize (typify) the bacteria for the presence of special properties or to detect possible carriers or contaminated objects (blood pressure cuff, etc.).

  • Typing of bacteria
  • Environmental investigations

Follow-up swabs from patients with multi-resistant germs

The hospital hygiene laboratory examines follow-up swabs from isolated patients for the following multi-resistant germs:

  • Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
  • Vancomycin-resistant enterococci
  • Multi-resistant Gram-negative rods( multi-drug resistant, MDR)
  • Extended spectrum beta lactamase (ESBL) formers
  • Carbapenemase-producing enterobacteria( carbapenemase-producing enterobacteriaceae, CPE)

Microbiological tests of relevance to hospital hygiene

  • Airborne germ measurements (aspergillus)
  • Water tests (legionella)
  • Microbiological controls of medical devices

Tests for suspected transmission of multi-resistant germs

  • Typing of bacteria
  • Environmental investigations

Relevance in everyday life and for hospital hygiene

Avoidance of nosocomial infections

  • Microbiological testing of medical devices helps to prevent the spread of multi-resistant germs.
  • If transmission is suspected, identify and prevent possible transmission routes.

Economic aspects

  • Regular monitoring of patients colonized with multi-resistant germs guarantees the earliest possible de-isolation and thus the greatest possible cost savings.

Responsible team

Portrait Annelies Zinkernagel

Annelies Zinkernagel, Prof. Dr. Dr. med.

Director of Department, Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology

Tel. +41 44 255 33 22
Specialties: Acute and chronic bacterial infections, Foreign body-associated infections, Vaccination before and during immunosuppression
Portrait Silvio Brugger

Silvio Brugger, Prof. Dr. Dr. med.

Senior Attending Physician, Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology

Tel. +41 44 255 33 22
Specialties: Bacterial infections, especially of the respiratory tract, Chronic infections in the ORL area, Infections with immunodeficiencies (e.g. hyper-IgE syndrome)

For patients

For medical clarifications, we recommend that you consult your general practitioner with a possible referral to the Clinic for Infectiology and Hospital Hygiene USZ for more in-depth clarifications.

If you would like a telephone consultation for infectiological inquiries without a consultation, you can call our toll-free number. The costs are not covered by health insurance as it is purely a telephone counseling service, not a medical consultation.

Operating time:
Mon-Fri 08.00 to 17.00 hrs

(CHF 3.00/min. from the start of the consultation)

 

Tel. 0900 85 75 25

For referrering physicians

Easily assign your patient online.

Tel. +41 44 255 33 22
Mail infektiologie@usz.ch
Patient registration form

Responsible Department

Department of Infectious Diseases and Hospital Epidemiology