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Resources to Identify Acinetobacter baumannii in California Healthcare Facilities

Microbiology Testing Services

Category	Press Release
Publish Date	2/10/2025
Author	Paul Cochrane
Title	Resources to Identify Acinetobacter baumannii in California Healthcare Facilities
Introduction	LA Testing provides infection control and environmental testing services to identify microbial pathogens and other contaminants to protect patients, workers, and the public from exposure risks in the built environment.
Huntington Beach, California, February 10, 2025 Several years ago, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) alerted healthcare providers of a prolonged, multi-facility regional outbreak of New Delhi metallo-betalactamase-producing carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in patients with exposures to acute care hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and long-term acute care hospitals in the state. While there are many types of Acinetobacter, the most frequent cause of infections in humans is known as Acinetobacter baumannii. It can cause infections in the blood, urinary tract, and lungs, or in wounds in other parts of the body. It can also colonize or live in a patient without causing infections or symptoms, especially in respiratory secretions or open wounds reports the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). As recently as 2017, carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter caused an estimated 8,500 infections in hospitalized patients and 700 estimated deaths in the United States alone. Those most at risk of infection, according to the CDC, include patients in hospitals, especially those who: are on breathing machines have devices such as catheters have open wounds from surgery are in intensive care units have prolonged hospital stays “Acinetobacter as a group of bacteria are commonly found in the environment in soil and water,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “It can become a concerning issue when it is found indoors, especially in sensitive environments. This is due to the fact that the CDC warns Acinetobacter can live for long periods of time on environmental surfaces and shared equipment if they are not properly cleaned. It can then spread from one person to another through contact with these contaminated surfaces or equipment, or through person to person spread.” To protect patients, workers, and building occupants, LA Testing offers infection control and indoor environmental quality testing services to detect Acinetobacter baumannii and a wide range of other pathogens. They have even sponsored an educational video about Acinetobacter baumannii and potential exposure risks that can be seen at: https://youtu.be/47m5aeS-E3U To learn more about Acinetobacter baumannii or other testing resources, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com, or call (800) 755-1794. About LA Testing LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for environmental and indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, bacteria, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro and San Diego.