On July 2, DPH released a memo on Candida auris and Carbapenemase-producing Organism Surveillance Activity in the Commonwealth.
Ongoing efforts to contain the spread of C. auris in healthcare settings rely on primary infection control measures and screening of contacts to identify C. auris colonization. DPH emphasizes the importance of adherence to hand hygiene, appropriate use of transmission-based precautions, and inter-facility communication about patient’s C. auris status upon transfer. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has created List P, a list of EPA-registered disinfectants effective against C. auris, for cleaning and disinfecting the patient care environment and reusable equipment. List P: Antimicrobial Products Registered with EPA for Claims Against Candida Auris | US EPA
Additionally, as the identification of individuals with infections due to CPOs increases, DPH reminds providers about the availability of expanded antimicrobial susceptibility testing (ExAST) for hard-to-treat infections at our regional partner laboratory, the Wadsworth Center Laboratory in New York.