ABSTRACT
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC), E. coli O157, Salmonella, and Listeria monocytogenes in retail food samples from Seattle, Wash. A total of 2,050 samples of ground beef (1,750 samples), mushrooms (100 samples), and sprouts (200 samples) were collected over a 12-month period and analyzed for the presence of these pathogens. PCR assays, followed by culture confirmation were used to determine the presence or absence of each organism. Of the 1,750 ground beef samples analyzed, 61 (3.5%) were positive for EHEC, and 20 (1.1%) of these were positive for E. coli O157. Salmonella was present in 67 (3.8%) of the 1,750 ground beef samples. Of 512 ground beef samples analyzed, 18 (3.5%) were positive for L. monocytogenes. EHEC was found in 12 (6.0%) of the 200 sprout samples, and 3 (1.5%) of these yielded E. coli O157. Of the 200 total sprout samples, 14 (7.0%) were positive for Salmonella and none were positive for L. monocytogenes. Among the 100 mushroom samples, 4 (4.0%) were positive for EHEC but none of these 4 samples were positive for E. coli O157. Salmonella was detected in 5 (5.0%) of the mushroom samples, and L. monocytogenes was found in 1 (1.0%) of the samples.
Subject(s)
Escherichia coli/isolation & purification , Food Contamination/analysis , Listeria monocytogenes/isolation & purification , Meat Products/microbiology , Medicago sativa/microbiology , Salmonella/isolation & purification , Agaricales , Animals , Cattle , Consumer Product Safety , Escherichia coli O157/isolation & purification , Food Microbiology , Humans , Incidence , Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods , WashingtonABSTRACT
Columbia Hospital's variation of the JIT system to support its repetitive-type surgical procedures performed by the L&D and OR departments has proven to be the right system for this specialty care hospital to ensure that the right product at the right price is available at the right place and time. This system established by the cooperative efforts of the three partners involved (the hospital, manufacturer, and distributor) has been a win-win system for all. The manufacturer and distributor receive a profitable return for their products and services, and the hospital receives reimbursement for the products it utilizes to provide quality care to its ultimate customer, the patient. Columbia's supply flow system, as described herein, is a creative example of the many variations of the stockless or JIT supply systems being established in the world of hospital materiel management today.