Frequency of Klebsiella pneumoniae Carbapenemase (KPC)–Producing and Non-KPC-Producing Klebsiella Species Contamination of Healthcare Workers and the Environment

Abstract

We examined contamination of healthcare worker (HCW) gown and gloves after caring for patients with Klebsiella pneumoniae carbapenemase (KPC)–producing and non-KPC-producing Klebsiella as a proxy for horizontal transmission. The rate of contamination with Klebsiella species is similar to that of contamination with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin-resistant enterococcus, with 31 (14%) of 220 of HCW-patient interactions resulting in contamination of gloves and gowns.