The Emergence of Candida Auris in NYS Healthcare Facilities
On May 11, 2017, the Department of Health (DOH) presented a webinar on the emergence of Candida auris, or C. auris, in New York State healthcare facilities. The objectives of the webinar were to:
- update facilities on the multidrug-resistant yeast organism;
- provide information on when to suspect Candida auris, its proper identification, and reporting requirements; and
- provide information on the infection control and environmental cleaning measures to prevent spreading.
Candida auris is a multidrug-resistant type of yeast that has cause severe illness in compromised patients, mostly in acute care settings. Candida auris has caused infections in the bloodstream, wounds, and ears. It has also been isolated in respiratory and urine specimens.
Like other Candida infections, C. auris is diagnosed by fungal cultures. It can be difficult to accurately identify using standard laboratory methods and has been inaccurately identified as other Candida yeasts, most commonly Candida haemulonii. Misidentification may lead to ineffective treatment.
The precise mode of transmission of Candida auris is not yet known. Knowledge gained from outbreaks suggests that it persists on contaminated environmental surfaces or on colonized and/or infected patients. More work is being done in this area. For now, facilities should place patients with C. auris, either colonization or active infection, in private rooms. Staff should follow standard handwashing practices and utilize facility standard/contact precautions. Nursing home residents do not need to be isolated; however, hand hygiene should be performed prior to leaving their rooms. Facilities should ensure the thorough daily and terminal cleaning/disinfection of identified rooms using an EPA-registered hospital grade disinfectant effective against Clostridium difficile spores.
Facilities who suspect that a patient has C. auris should contact state and local public health authorities and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
For further information on Candida auris, please consult either the DOH or CDC website.
Contacts: Karen Puglisi, kpuglisi@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8383 ext. 145 or Sherrie Turano, sturano@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8383 ext. 107 or 518-859-1695 (c)