Infectious Diseases

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology

Rhode Island Hospital infection control and hospital epidemiology research is focused on understanding the epidemiology, pathogenesis, and prevention of health care associated infections.

Recent work has focused on MRSA colonization, the impact of chlorhexidine bathing for prevention of nosocomial infections, epidemiology of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae, and intravascular catheter infections.

Current research projects deal with control and public reporting of nosocomial Clostridium difficile infection; epidemiology of extended-spectrum, beta-lactamase-producing, Gram-negative bacterial infections; carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae colonization in patients of skilled care facilities; and the epidemiology and prevention of extraventricular drain neurosurgical infections.