After an Outbreak of a Drug-Resistant Strain of Bacteria (Enterococci

question 21

Essay

After an outbreak of a drug-resistant strain of bacteria (Enterococci faecium), hospitalofficials became concerned that their alcohol-based handrub (ABHR) hand hygieneprogram was not sufficient to prevent spreading this bacteria. The officials solicited20 volunteers to assess the effectiveness of ABHR. The volunteers' hands werecontaminated with E. faecium. After gathering baseline data on the amount ofbacteria present they performed the recommended hand hygiene according to theWorld Health Organization protocol. The amount of bacteria present was thenassessed again. Summary measures and boxplots of the baseline sample, the post-ABHR sample, and the reduction in the amount of bacteria ( log10 (bacteria / mL) ) arepresented below. Do these data provide sufficient evidence that the ABHR iseffective against the E. faecium?

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Definitions:

Voucher System

A control or accounting system where vouchers (documents that prove a transaction) are used to authorize and record transactions in an accounts payable system.

Account Payable

The liability created by a purchase on account.

Credit Balance

A situation where the sum of credits in an account exceeds the sum of debits, often indicating a liability or revenue.

Cash Short

Cash Short refers to a situation where the actual amount of cash on hand is less than the recorded amount in the accounting records, indicating a discrepancy that needs investigation.