Multi-drug resistant (MDR) Klebsiella pneumoniae in a high-risk area like the ICU requires urgent investigationbecause:
* It spreads rapidly via contaminated hands or equipment.
* It poses a serious risk to immunocompromised patients.
* An outbreak could lead to severe hospital-acquired infections (HAIs).
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect?
* A. One blood isolate of Streptococcus agalactiae in the nursery-Single cases are not indicative of an outbreak.
* B. Two isolates of Staphylococcus aureus in postoperative surgical sites-Common post-surgical pathogen; requires monitoring but not immediate outbreak investigation.
* D. Two blood isolates of coagulase-negative staphylococci in the oncology unit-Common contaminants in blood culturesandnot immediately alarming.
CBIC Infection Control Reference
APIC guidelines prioritizeinvestigating MDR pathogens in high-risk units, such as ICU, to prevent transmission.