Hospital Microbiome Map: How To Prevent Infections?

A new study called Hospital Microbiome Project aims to collect microbial samples from the staff, patients, air and surfaces of a hospital of the University of Chicago (which was unveiled in January 2013). The researchers have collected about 12,400 samples over the course of a year to map out where microorganisms (such as bacteria, virus, and fungi) exist and develop in hospitals, and how they spread in healthcare environments.

According to the Atlantic, understanding the microbiome of hospitals can help researchers understand how people (including doctors, patients, and staff) can catch infections in hospitals.

It is already known that every year, about 440,000 infections happen in US hospitals. They have a major impact on the American society in terms of both health and economic costs. It is estimated that it results in an expense of nearly $10 billion.

Jack Gilbert, a microbial ecologist at Argonne National Laboratory and a leader of the Hospital Microbiome Project, said, "Many unexplained diseases, like sepsis and infections, occur in hospitals...We still fail to understand the specifics how these organisms transfer in a healthcare environment."

Scientists are now trying to understand the composition of this microbial community and how they change over time, in order to be able to prevent transmissions of pathogenic organisms.

The findings of the project have not been published yet.

The WSJ reported that the research project took off because it was found that a bacterium called Enterococcus faecium has become increasingly common in hospitals. It is resistant to antibiotics like penicillin and vancomycin and can cause infections in urinary tracts, surgical wounds, and endocarditis.

The researchers are still analyzing the factors like ventilation and humidity, and design features such as furnishings and fixtures. The results of the project may give important pointers about how to keep pathogens in check in hospitals and keep patients safer.