驻东北地区边防战士咽部定植细菌检测及耐药性分析

目的 了解东北地区部队边防战士咽部机会致病菌携带情况及耐药性,为减少恶劣环境训练执勤时非战斗减员提供参考.方法 采集158名健康战士的咽拭子标本并进行分离培养,采用全自动微生物鉴定系统对分离菌株进行鉴定及抗生素敏感性试验.结果 咽部共检出机会致病菌99株,依次为凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌21株(21.21％),克雷伯菌属18株(18.18％),金黄色葡萄球菌17株(17.17％),流感嗜血杆菌8株(8.08％).不动杆菌属和沙雷茵属各6株(6.06％),肺炎链球菌4株(4.04％),化脓链球菌3株(3.03％).耐药性检测结果显示,耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌(MRSA)1株,耐甲氧西林凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌(MRCNS)8株,耐青霉素肺炎链球菌(PRSP)1株.抗生素敏感试验结果显示,革兰阴性杆菌中,未检出产超光谱β-内酰胺酶(ESBLs)菌株.部分革兰阴性杆菌对抗生素的敏感率除克雷伯茵属对氨苄西林固有耐药外,对多种抗生素均有很高敏感性;铜绿假单胞茵和不动杆菌未检出耐药菌.凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌除对青霉素敏感性低外,对其他常用抗生素敏感性高;金黄色葡萄球菌敏感率较高,除青霉素外,均达70.51％ ～ 100％.结论 加强对边防战士上呼吸道机会致病菌的监测,增强战士免疫力,有效预防和减少战士在恶劣环境下训练执勤时非战斗减员,对提高部队战斗力具有重要意义.     

重症监护病房医务人员鼻前庭革兰阴性杆菌分布及耐药性

为探讨重症监护病房(ICU)医务人员鼻前庭革兰阴性杆菌分布及耐药性,于2007—2013年,随机抽取天津市31家医院ICU科室内全部551名医务人员进行鼻前庭革兰阴性菌的分离及其对14种抗感染药物的敏感试验。结果显示,ICU医务人员鼻前庭检出革兰阴性菌共97株,检出率为17.60%;多耐药革兰阴性菌31株,对氨苄西林、四环素、氯霉素、庆大霉素、环丙沙星、复方新诺明、头孢他啶、阿米卡星、诺氟沙星、妥布霉素、左氧氟沙星也均有不同程度耐药(有87株对氨苄西林产生耐药),而对头孢唑林、头孢哌酮、亚胺培南等均敏感。提示本次调查的ICU医务人员鼻前庭携带的革兰阴性杆菌存在耐药情况,应加强监测。     

临床医务人员鼻前庭金黄色葡萄球菌定植现况调查

目的了解医院临床科室医务人员鼻前庭金黄色葡萄球菌(包括甲氧西林敏感的金黄色葡萄球菌和耐甲氧西林的金黄色葡萄球菌)定植情况,并探讨影响金黄色葡萄球菌定植的主要因素,为临床干预提供科学依据。方法 2016年12月-2017年1月,研究人员对医院临床科室工龄≥1年的医务人员进行鼻前庭采样,根据MSSA检出排名分重点科室和普通科室;采样后对标本进行细菌学培养,金黄色葡萄球菌阳性标本使用头孢西丁纸片扩散法进一步判定是否为甲氧西林敏感的金黄色葡萄球菌(MSSA)或耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌(MRSA),收集数据使用SPSS 18.0统计软件进行统计分析。结果共调查11个临床科室,349名医务人员,采集标本349份,检出金黄色葡萄球菌18株,其中MSSA12株,医务人员人群定植率3.44%;MRSA6株,医务人员人群定植率1.72%;金黄色葡萄球菌的定植与医务人员年龄、性别、工龄、职业无关;重点科室医务人员鼻前庭的金黄色葡萄球(MSSA和MRSA)定植率均高于普通科室医务人员,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论金黄色葡萄球菌在医务人员鼻前庭定植率较低,重点科室医务人员鼻前庭的金黄色葡萄球菌特别是MRSA的定植需要关注。     

我院临床常见细菌的分布及耐药性分析

目的 了解本院临床主要致病菌对目前常用抗生素的耐药性。方法 对临床分离的1957株致病菌耐药性进行回顾性分析。结果 革兰阳性菌中葡萄球菌对大部分常用抗生素显示较高的耐药率，耐苯唑西林金黄色葡萄球菌（MRSA）和耐苯唑西林凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌（MRCNS）分别占71.88%和86.99%；3.77%的肠球菌耐万古霉素；革兰阴性菌对β－内酰胺类、大环内酯类等普遍耐药，亚胺培南／西司他丁对G^-菌有较好的抗菌活性。结论 掌握细菌耐药性的动态，合理应用抗生素。     

重症监护病房病原菌分布及耐药性分析

目的 及时了解和动态掌握重症监护病房(ICU)病原菌分布及耐药趋势,指导临床合理使用抗菌药物.方法 对2008年由ICU分离出的807株病原菌进行鉴定和药敏试验,采用WHONET 5.4软件进行统计分析.结果 所分离的病原菌以革兰阴性菌为主占77.2%,革兰阳性菌为15.7%,其他真菌等为7.1%;革兰阳性菌中非发酵条件致病菌已经成为ICU的主要病原菌;大肠埃希菌、肺炎克雷伯菌的产超广谱β-内酰胺酶的检出率分别为33.9%和25.9%;革兰阳性菌中以金黄色葡萄球菌、凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌和肠球菌属为主,耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌(MRSA)、耐甲氧西林凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌(MRCNS)的检出率分别为56.9%和70.7%,尚未发现耐万古霉素葡萄球菌和肠球菌属.结论 加强ICU感染管理以及病原菌耐药情况的监测,合理使用抗菌药物,降低临床感染的发生率和病原菌耐药率.     

重症监护病房医务人员鼻腔带菌及其耐药性

目的探讨重症监护病房（ICU）医务人员鼻腔带菌及其耐药情况,为制订医院感染防控措施提供依据。方法采用棉拭子采样法,对某院2014年4月-2015年3月ICU医务人员鼻腔黏膜进行采样,检测其携带病原菌及其耐药情况。结果共采集450份鼻腔标本,分离病原菌137株,检出率为30.44%。不同性别、年龄、工作岗位、工龄、文化程度的医务人员鼻腔带菌检出率比较,差异均无统计学意义（P＞0.05）;医务人员不同季节鼻腔带菌检出率比较,差异具有统计学意义（P＜0.05）。其中革兰阴性菌82株（占59.85%）,以肺炎克雷伯菌（21.16%）、产气肠杆菌（18.98%）为主;革兰阳性菌55株（占40.15%）,以金黄色葡萄球菌（18.98%）、表皮葡萄球菌（15.33%）为主。检出38株（27.74%）多重耐药菌。耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌占7.69%（2/26）,耐亚胺培南肺炎克雷伯菌占3.45%（1/29）,耐亚胺培南产气肠杆菌占3.85%（1/26）。结论ICU医务人员鼻腔病原菌携带率较高,多重耐药菌检出率高。     

医务人员手耐甲氧西林葡萄球菌携带调查及药敏分析

目的调查医务人员手耐甲氧西林葡萄球菌(MRS)的携带及药敏情况。 方法随机抽取某院168名医务人员，分别采集其按六步洗手法洗手前后的手部皮肤拭子标本（共336份）进行MRS分离培养和药敏试验。结果医务人员手MRS携带率在洗手前高达66.67%，而洗手后仍有41.07%，但两者比较，差异有显著性（χ2=22.14，P<0.01）。所携带的MRS均为耐甲氧西林凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌（MRCNS），未检出耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌（MRSA）。检出的MRCNS除对万古霉素敏感、对呋喃妥因耐药率较低外，对 β 内酰胺类抗生素的青霉素、氨苄西林、阿莫西林/克拉维酸、头孢噻吩、头孢噻肟表现出高度耐药，耐药率为70.37%~100.00%；对环丙沙星、红霉素、四环素、克林霉素、复方磺胺甲口恶唑的耐药率达42.33%~80.42%；其耐药率显著高于对甲氧西林敏感的葡萄球菌，并表现出多重耐药。结论医务人员手MRS的高携带率应引起广大医务工作者的高度重视。采用六步洗手法洗手有助于减少MRS携带，减少医源性MRS的蔓延和流行。     

医院环境中葡萄球菌监测

目的　定期监测环境中的葡萄球菌 ,及时发现耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌 (MRSA)与耐甲氧西林凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌 (MRCNS)携带者。方法　对 MRSA感染者和非 MRSA感染者的床头柜、陪护和医务人员的手、鼻前庭进行采样培养 ,对检有葡萄球菌的标本 ,按常规方法鉴定。结果　 6 5次 MRSA感染者和 5 5次非 MRSA感染者的外环境监测结果 ,检有葡萄球菌携带的分别 6 0例和 4 5例 ,其中金黄色葡萄球菌 (SAU )分别为 2 3.3%和 6 .6 % ;凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌 (CNS)分别为 76 .7%和 93.3% ;MRSA分别为 71.4 %和 33.3% ;MRCNS分别为5 4 .3%和 6 9.0 %。结论　 MRSA感染组和非 MRSA感染组外环境中 MRSA携带率差异有显著性 (P <0 .0 1) ;对 MRSA感染者 ,应采取严密的消毒隔离措施 ,防止交叉感染。     

神经外科病房医院肺部感染病原菌及耐药性分析

目的了解神经外科医院肺部感染病原菌分布及耐药特点，指导临床合理用药。方法回顾性调查本院神经外科206例痰培养阳性的医院肺部感染病人，并对耐药情况进行分析。结果206份痰标本中共分离出238株病原菌，其中革兰阴性杆菌156株（65．5％），革兰阳性球菌38株（16．0％），真菌44株（18．5％）。分离的前5位菌株依次为鲍曼不动杆菌48株（20．2％）、肺炎克雷伯菌46株（19．3％）、大肠埃希菌26株（10．9％）、热带念株菌24株（10．1％）、金黄色葡萄球菌18株（7．6％）。耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌（MRSA）和耐甲氧西林凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌（MRCNS）分离率分别为94．4％、86．7％，产超广谱β-内酰胺酶（ESBLs）肺炎克雷伯菌和大肠埃希菌分离率分别为73．9％、53．8％。结论神经外科医院肺部感染病原菌以革兰阴性杆菌为主，且对常用抗菌药物显示较高的耐药性。     

医院感染葡萄球菌属的分布特点与耐药性

目的　了解医院葡萄球菌属的感染状况和耐药特点,为临床抗感染治疗提供依据。方法　对从医院感染患者标本中分离的652株葡萄球菌属进行鉴定和耐药性分析。结果　652株葡萄球菌中金黄色葡萄球菌204株,占葡萄球菌属总数的31.3%,其中耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌（MRSA）的检出率为55.4%;凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌（CNS）448株,占葡萄球菌属总数的68.7%,以溶血葡萄球菌和表皮葡萄球菌为主,其中耐甲氧西林凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌（MRCNS）的检出率为84.6%;除呋喃妥因和万古霉素外,耐甲氧西林葡萄球菌（MRS）对其他12种抗菌药物的耐药率显著高于甲氧西林敏感葡萄球菌（MSS）。结论　葡萄球菌属是医院感染的重要病原菌之一,合理使用抗菌药物对于有效控制和治疗该菌感染至关重要。     

Simultaneous persistence of methicillin-resistant and methicillin-susceptible clones of Staphylococcus aureus in a neonatal ward of a Warsaw Hospital

Fifty-seven methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) isolates from babies (N = 31), carriers amongst health care workers (N = 16; 10% of all staff members) and the environment (N = 10); 39 MSSA isolates, from babies (N = 18), health care workers (N = 5) and environment (N = 16) were analysed. The strains were from the neonatal ward of a teaching hospital in Warsaw and were collected over a period of 16 months (1993/1994). The isolates were characterized by phage-typing, arbitrary-primed polymerase chain reaction (AP PCR), DNA repeat polymorphism within the protein A gene and the resistance pattern to antimicrobial agents. The presence of the mecA gene was determined by PCR. MRSA were classified as heterogeneously resistant to methicillin, susceptible to other antimicrobial agents and, except for three isolates, appeared to be genotypically almost identical. The first example of mupirocin resistant MRSA in Poland was documented. Amongst MSSA isolates, increased variability was seen, however, the persistence of one predominate clone of MSSA was shown. In this particular hospital environment, several different strains of both MRSA and MSSA were capable of maintaining persistent colonization.     

Molecular characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus disseminated in a home care system.

OBJECTIVE: To study colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a home care service during a 4-month period. DESIGN: Prospective study. SETTING: A home care service located in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. PARTICIPANTS: Patients admitted to the home care service during this period, their household contacts, and health care workers (HCWs). METHODS: Swab specimens from the anterior nares were collected from each patient in the 3 groups at admission. Screening was repeated every 7 days. MRSA was detected using a mecA probe, and the clonality of isolates was evaluated by molecular methods, primarily pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: Of the 59 study patients, 9 (15.3%) had MRSA colonization detected; these cases of colonization were classified as imported. Only 1 (2.0%) of the 50 patients not colonized at admission became an MRSA carrier (this case of colonization was classified as autochthonous). Two (0.9%) of 224 household contacts and 16 (7.4%) of 217 HCWs had MRSA colonization. Cross-transmission from patient to HCW could be clearly demonstrated in 8 cases. The great majority of MRSA isolates belonged to the Brazilian epidemic clone. CONCLUSIONS: MRSA colonization was common in the home care service analyzed. The fact that the majority of MRSA isolates obtained were primarily of nosocomial origin (and belonged to the so-called Brazilian epidemic clone) substantiated our findings that all but 1 patient had already been colonized before admission to the home care service. Only cross-transmission from patients to healthcare workers could be verified. On the basis of these results, we believe that a control program built on admission screening of patients for detection of MRSA carriage could contribute to the overall quality of care.     

一起MRSA感染流行病学调查

目的探讨耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌（MRSA）医院感染的传播途径,为防控多重耐药菌医院感染及流行制定有效措施。方法对2012年2月24日-3月29日某院肿瘤内科因气管狭窄而收入院行支气管镜检查治疗的12例MRSA感染患者进行流行病学调查,采用实时荧光定量PCR方法扩增,检测16S rRNA、femA、mecA和Spa基因,前三者进行菌株鉴定,后者进行菌株同源性分析。结果12例MRSA感染患者均为多重耐药菌的易感人群,其中5例为此次住院发生的医院感染,7例可排除此次住院发生的医院感染。医务人员及环境卫生学采样检测结果为阴性;12株MRSA的 Spa基因分型结果显示均为t030 型,为亚洲医院主要流行株;分离自护士鼻腔的普通金黄色葡萄球菌Spa基因型为t1425 型。结论此次流行病学调查结果不支持医护间传播,12株MRSA基因型相同,但基因分型结果不能作为此次感染同源的依据;同时,医院应主动对MRSA感染高危患者进行筛查,尽早实施接触隔离,预防和控制医院感染的发生。     

医院环境MRSA流行病学调查

目的研究医院耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌(MRSA)在医护人员、患者及其周围环境中携带状况和特点,为预防与控制医院MRSA感染提供科学依据。方法对某院7个临床科室的医护人员、患者及其周围环境中的MRSA流行病学调查。结果烧伤科检出MRSA最多,医护人员MRSA高达53.33%,患者及周围环境的MRSA高达72.34%;儿童急救科和儿童呼吸科均未检出MRSA;医护人员的工作服和手携带MRSA最多,均为36.36%,患者的鼻前庭、手、烧伤黏膜携带最多,分别为23.26%、20.93%、20.93%;护士携带MRSA(30.77%)高于医师(18.18%),初级职称高于中级和高级职称。结论MRSA感染控制应集中在烧伤科等高危科室,加强对医护人员尤其是初级职称工作人员的医院感染防护知识教育,对携带部位应及时进行MRSA的清除。     

Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage during the infectious diseases national congress in France

Objective

Screening for (methicillin-sensitive [MSSA] or -resistant [MRSA]) Staphylococcus aureus (SA) nasal carriage in health care workers in contact with fragile patients is a recurrent question. We wanted to assess carriage among infectious diseases healthcare workers.

Methods

Voluntary health care workers were recruited during the 2010 Yearly French Congress (Journées Nationales d’Infectiologie, JNI). An anonymous double nasal swab was performed followed by PCR examination (GeneXpert MRSA/SA nasal tests) carried out on the Cepheid stand. Health care workers were also asked to fill in a questionnaire. Results were available 1 hour later but kept anonymous.

Results

One hundred and fifty-two tests and questionnaires were selected. MRSA was isolated from four health care workers (2.4%). MSSA was isolated from 52 health care workers (34.2%). Sex, clinical activity of health care workers, hospital size, and systematic screening of patients did not affect carriage.

Conclusions

The prevalence of MSSA in nasal carriage in France is similar to the European one but the prevalence of MRSA is higher. This raises the question of a targeted decolonization in health care workers.     

金黄色葡萄球菌超抗原在不同人群中的分子特征研究

目的了解菌血症患者血液,医护工作者、非感染性疾病入院患者以及社区健康人群前鼻腔内的金黄色葡萄球菌超抗原基因分子特征。方法用PCR和multiplex-PCR方法对277株菌的毒性休克综合征毒素-1(toxicshock syndrome toxin-1,TSST-1)和肠毒素(staphylococcal enterotoxin,SE)编码基因进行了扩增。结果 277株分离的金黄色葡萄球菌中共有142株(51%)肠毒素基因检测结果为阳性。从医院内各人群组(包括医院菌血症患者组、医护人员组和非感染性疾病入院患者组)分离菌株的阳性率在50%~59%,要比社区健康人群组阳性率(36%)高(χ2=10.86,P<0.05)。医院内各人群组分离株的SE基因主要以A型为主,而社区健康人群组的分离菌株则以D型为优势型别。另外,菌血症患者血液的金黄色葡萄球菌携带基因tsst-1的阳性率要高于其他人群组(χ2=21.91,P<0.01)。结论本研究表明不同人群分离得到的金黄色葡萄球菌超抗原分子特点具有特异性,对临床金黄色葡萄球菌的诊断治疗和流行病学研究具有一定的指导意义。     

医护人员MRSA带菌状况调查

[目的]研究耐甲氧西林金黄色葡萄球菌(MRSA)在医护人员及其周围环境中携带情况,为预防与控制医院MRSA感染提供依据。[方法]对某院的医护人员及其周围环境中的MRSA菌进行进行病学调查。[结果]护士携带MRSA菌高于医生,烧伤科医护人员检出MRSA菌最多,达8株;医护人员的工作服和手携带MRSA最多;初级职称医护人员携带高于中级和高级职称。[结论]MRSA菌感染控制应加强医护人员防护,减少MRSA携带;加强对初级职称的工作人员的医院感染防护知识的教育,建立MRSA感控体系。     

Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in medical and paramedical personnel returned from work in a foreign hospital

The cultures of two patients of the Surgical Intensive Care Unit (IC) of the Medical Centre of Utrecht University were found positive for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). A male nurse turned out to be the source, 4 months after his return from working in an English hospital. Cultures were, by mistake, not taken directly on arrival from abroad. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis proved MRSA strains from both source and the 2 patients to be identical to a strain which was epidemic in Great Britain but had never occurred in the Netherlands. The IC has meanwhile been closed; at source investigation, 14 other patients and six staff members were found MRSA-positive. The policy in the hospital is to screen health care workers for MRSA carriership on return from an hospital abroad. The success of the policy depends strongly on the cooperation of health care workers in this matter.     

医疗环境凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌耐药性监测及耐药基因研究

目的研究医疗环境物体表面及医护人员手凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌（CNS）分布及耐药性,为控制医院感染提供科学依据。方法采用细菌生化鉴定仪WalkaWay 40s1及微量生化管进行CNS的分离与鉴定,K B纸片扩散法进行药敏试验,同时进行耐药基因mecA的聚合酶链反应（PCR）鉴定。结果采集物体表面标本478份,医护人员手标本363份,共培养分离CNS 63株,检出率7.49%;其中15株CNS分离自物体表面,38株分离自护士手,10株分离自医生手。24株（38.09%）CNS具有mecA基因,为耐甲氧西林CNS（MRCNS）,分别为表皮葡萄球菌（12株）、溶血葡萄球菌（6株）、瓦氏葡萄球菌（5株）、头状葡萄球菌头状亚种（1株）;药敏结果显示,表皮葡萄球菌、溶血葡萄球菌和瓦氏葡萄球菌分别对青霉素、阿莫西林、氨苄西林/舒巴坦、红霉素、头孢唑林、亚胺培南耐药率达87.50%以上,对复方磺胺甲口恶唑、左氧氟沙星、克林霉素、环丙沙星、四环素、庆大霉素的耐药率达20.83%～45.83%。结论医疗环境物体表面及医护人员手携带的CNS存在多重耐药性,应引起临床警惕。     

Health Care Coverage and the Health Care Industry

Objectives. We examined rates of uninsurance among workers in the US health care workforce by health care industry subtype and workforce category.Methods. We used 2004 to 2006 National Health Interview Survey data to assess health insurance coverage rates. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to estimate the odds of uninsurance among health care workers by industry subtype.Results. Overall, 11% of the US health care workforce is uninsured. Ambulatory care workers were 3.1 times as likely as hospital workers (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.3, 4.3) to be uninsured, and residential care workers were 4.3 times as likely to be uninsured (95% CI = 3.0, 6.1). Health service workers had 50% greater odds of being uninsured relative to workers in health diagnosing and treating occupations (odds ratio [OR] = 1.5; 95% CI = 1.0, 2.4).Conclusions. Because uninsurance leads to delays in seeking care, fewer prevention visits, and poorer health status, the fact that nearly 1 in 8 health care workers lacks insurance coverage is cause for concern.For complex socioeconomic reasons, private health insurance, typically provided by an employer, is “the dominant mechanism for paying for health services” in the United States.^1(p79) According to the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured and the Urban Institute, analyses of data from the Current Population Survey (CPS) show that, in 2006, 54% of the US civilian, noninstitutionalized population had employer-sponsored health insurance; 5% had private, nongroup health insurance; and 26% had public health insurance coverage. Approximately 46 million US residents (16% of the population) are currently uninsured.² Numerous studies have shown that, relative to people with health insurance, uninsured people receive less preventive care, are diagnosed at more advanced disease stages, and, once diagnosed, tend to receive less therapeutic care and have higher mortality rates.^3–8Although national uninsurance trends are well-documented, the rate of uninsurance within the health care workforce has received scant attention. Given that health care employment rates are increasing at a more rapid pace than overall employment rates, this lack of attention is especially worrisome. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, nearly half of the 30 occupations in which employment opportunities are growing fastest are health care occupations. For example, whereas the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that overall employment will increase about 10% from 2006 to 2016, employment opportunities for personal and home care aides are projected to increase nearly 51%, and opportunities for physical therapist assistants are expected to increase by a third. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also projects that, by 2016, new job opportunities for registered nurses will increase by approximately 24% (approximately 587 000 new jobs).⁹Although the overall employment outlook for health care workers is promising, what is less clear is to what degree employment in health care is associated with health insurance coverage. A 2001 General Accounting Office report suggested that one fourth of nursing home aides and one third of home health care aides were uninsured.¹⁰ The Kaiser Family Foundation reported that the uninsured rate among workers in the health and social services industry was 23% in 2007.¹¹ On the basis of a review of the literature in the health and human services occupations, Ebenstein concluded that the health insurance plans offered to direct care workers in the developmental disabilities field are “inferior … with less coverage and more out-of-pocket expenses” and that fewer direct care workers “are able to afford health coverage even if they are eligible.”^12(p132)Taking a more comprehensive look at the US health care workforce, Himmelstein and Woolhandler¹³ used 1991 CPS data to estimate uninsurance rates among physicians and other health care personnel. They reported that, overall, 9% of health care workers were uninsured, along with more than 20% of nursing home workers. Examining CPS data from 1988 to 1998, Case et al. found that uninsurance rates among all health care workers rose from 8% to 12%, that rates increased more for health care workers than for workers in other industries, and that rates differed according to occupation and place of employment.¹⁴ For example, occupation-specific uninsurance rates were 23.8% among health aides, 14.5% among licensed practical nurses, and 5% among registered nurses, whereas place-specific rates were 20% among nursing home workers, 8.7% among medical office workers, and 8.2% among hospital workers.¹⁵In their studies, Himmelstein and Woolhandler¹³ and Case et al.¹⁴ used national-level data to estimate uninsurance trends among health care workers. However, these trends were not adjusted for health care workers'' social, demographic, or economic characteristics, which would have helped explain variation across categories or over time. Moreover, with the growth of the health care workforce, estimates from these older studies probably do not reflect the current situation. As a result, the picture of uninsurance as it pertains to the health care workforce lacks the precision and currentness necessary for sound policy decisions. In an effort to expand knowledge in this area, produce more up-to-date estimates, and provide support for possible policy decisions, we used data from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) to examine uninsurance among workers in the health care industry.