Management and outcomes in patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia after implementation of mandatory infectious diseases consult: a before/after study.

BACKGROUND: Infectious disease (ID) consultations have been shown to increase adherence to guidelines and decrease mortality for patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia (SAB). Here, we assessed the impact of a mandatory ID consultation policy for SAB. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed all consecutive adult patients with SAB at two tertiary care teaching hospitals in Hamilton, ON, Canada. Mandatory ID consults for SAB were implemented on January 1(st) 2012. We compared SAB cases in 2011 (control group) with those in 2012 (intervention group). Outcomes included adherence to the Infectious Diseases Society of America guidelines and patient outcomes. RESULTS: We reviewed 128 SAB cases in 2011 and 124 in 2012. The majority of S. aureus were methicillin-susceptible (97/128, 75.8 % in 2011 and 100/124, 80.6 % in 2012). ID involvement increased significantly from 93/128 (72.7 %) in 2011, to 103/124 (83.1 %) in 2012 (odds ratio [OR] 1.9, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.1-3.3, p = 0.047). There was also a significant decrease in the median time to ID involvement from 2 days to 1 (p = 0.001). In patients who survived the minimum treatment course (greater than 13 days), there was a significant improvement in adherence to IDSA guidelines in 2012 (65/102, 63.7 % vs. 77/96, 80.2 %; OR 2.3, 95 % CI 1.2-4.4, p = 0.01). Mortality and SAB relapse rates were similar in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Creating an automated ID consultation for SAB led to an increase in involvement of ID, a significant decrease in time to ID involvement, and better adherence to IDSA guidelines. The study was not sufficiently powered to detect significant changes in mortality and SAB relapse rates.

Dysphagia and aspiration during a Parkinson's hospitalization: a care partner's perspective and recommendations for improving standards of care.

People with Parkinson's disease have a significantly increased incidence and risk of aspiration pneumonia when compared to those without. Aspiration pneumonia associated with dysphagia (swallowing issues), which is the leading cause of death among people with Parkinson's disease, accounting for 25% of Parkinson's deaths. There is relatively limited evidence of the most effective strategies to balance the competing needs of each Parkinson's patient as providers aim to prevent, diagnose, and manage dysphagia. Exacerbated, and in part caused, by the intricacies of dysphagia and Parkinson's disease, there is still limited understanding among hospital providers and the Parkinson's community regarding the most appropriate measures to prevent and manage dysphagia in Parkinson's disease. The Parkinson's Foundation Hospital Care Recommendations identified the prevention and management of dysphagia as a care standard necessary to eliminate harm and attain higher reliability in care. This article discusses key components of dysphagia management in the hospital, provides a case example to demonstrate the challenges that people with PD and their care partners experience in the hospital related to dysphagia, and offers recommendations on how to better manage dysphagia and involve care partners in PD hospital care.

Distant metastatic foci of infection in adult patients with diabetic foot - not as rare as we think?: case series and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic foot is one of the common complications of diabetes mellitus. We report clinical and microbiological characteristics and outcomes of cases with distant metastatic foci of infection arising from diabetic foot. METHODS: Retrospective review of adult patients with diabetic foot infection or diabetic foot ulcer who demonstrated distant metastatic foci of infection between August 2017 and December 2019. We performed a literature search of similar cases published until June 2020. RESULTS: Twelve patients with diabetic foot infection or diabetic foot ulcer with distant metastatic foci of infection were identified. The median age of patients was 67.5 years (range 60.5-73.5 years) and 11 males. The most common distant metastatic foci of infection included endocarditis (n = 7) followed by septic arthritis (n = 3) and spine infections (n = 2). Five patients had multiple site and organ involvement. Staphylococcus aureus was the only organism isolated from blood (n = 11), diabetic foot (n = 7), and metastatic foci (n = 8) sources. Three patients died and three had a relapse of distant metastatic foci of infection. Thirty-eight cases were identified in the literature with similar characteristics. CONCLUSIONS: Prevalence of distant metastatic foci of infection in adult patients with diabetic foot and burden of illness, in terms of mortality, morbidity, and length of hospital stay, appears to be underreported in the literature. A large prospective study is needed to assess the true prevalence of complications, associated risk factors, outcomes and prognostic factors.

Treatment of urinary tract infections in the era of antimicrobial resistance and new antimicrobial agents.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria are a growing concern due to limited treatment options. Knowledge of the common uropathogens in addition to local susceptibility patterns is essential in determining appropriate empiric antibiotic therapy of UTIs. The recommended first-line empiric antibiotic therapy for acute uncomplicated bacterial cystitis in otherwise healthy adult nonpregnant females is a 5-day course of nitrofurantoin, a 3-g single dose of fosfomycin tromethamine, or a 5-day course of pivmecillinam. High rates of resistance for trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and ciprofloxacin preclude their use as empiric treatment of UTIs in several communities, particularly if patients who were recently exposed to them or in patients who are at risk of infections with extended-spectrum ß-lactamases (ESBLs)-producing Enterobacteriales. Second-line options include oral cephalosporins such as cephalexin or cefixime, fluoroquinolones and ß-lactams, such as amoxicillin-clavulanate. Current treatment options for UTIs due to AmpC- ß -lactamase-producing Enterobacteriales include nitrofurantoin, fosfomycin, pivmecillinam, fluoroquinolones, cefepime, piperacillin-tazobactam and carbapenems. Treatment oral options for UTIs due to ESBLs-E coli include nitrofurantoin, fosfomycin, pivmecillinam, amoxicillin-clavulanate, finafloxacin, and sitafloxacin while pivmecillinam, fosfomycin, finafloxacin, and sitafloxacin are treatment oral options for ESBLs- Klebsiella pneumoniae. Parenteral treatment options for UTIs due to ESBLs-producing Enterobacteriales include piperacillin-tazobactam (for ESBL-E coli only), carbapenems including meropenem/vaborbactam, imipenem/cilastatin-relebactam, and sulopenem, ceftazidime-avibactam, ceftolozane-tazobactam, aminoglycosides including plazomicin, cefiderocol, fosfomycin, sitafloxacin, and finafloxacin. Ceftazidime-avibactam, meropenem/vaborbactam, imipenem/cilastatin-relebactam, colistin, fosfomycin, aztreonam and ceftazidime-avibactam, aztreonam and amoxicillin-clavulanate, aminoglycosides including plazomicin, cefiderocol, tigecycline are treatment options for UTIs caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriales (CRE). Treatment options for UTIs caused by multidrug resistant (MDR)-Pseudomonas spp. include fluoroquinolones, ceftazidime, cefepime, piperacillin-tazobactam, carbapenems including imipenem-cilastatin/relebactam, meropenem, and fosfomycin, ceftolozane-tazobactam, ceftazidime-avibactam, aminoglycosides including plazomicin, aztreonam and ceftazidime-avibactam, cefiderocol, and colistin. It is important to use the new antimicrobials wisely for treatment of UTIs caused by MDR-organisms to avoid resistance development.

Daptomycin use in adult inpatients in a Canadian tertiary care setting.

Background: Daptomycin is approved by Health Canada for the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia and complicated skin and soft tissue infections caused by gram-positive organisms, but is often used for other indications. We aimed to understand the indications, dosing, and safety profile of daptomycin use in a Canadian inpatient setting. Methods: We included consecutive adult patients who received intravenous daptomycin as inpatients from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2016, at two tertiary care teaching hospitals in Hamilton, Ontario. Results: We identified 86 courses in 77 unique patients. S. aureus was the most common pathogen (n = 38, 44%) of which 87% (n = 33) were methicillin-resistant. The most common indications were bloodstream infections (n = 31, 36%). The average treatment duration was 10 days, at an average dose of 7.4 mg/kg. The infectious diseases service was consulted in all but two courses. Less than half of treatment courses were given for an indication approved by Health Canada (n = 41, 48%). Almost half of the unapproved indications (n = 21, 47%) followed Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) recommendations. Creatine kinase elevation of 3 × the upper limit of normal or higher occurred in a small number of courses (n = 7, 8%), with only one instance requiring discontinuation of the drug. Conclusions: Daptomycin is being used to treat inpatients for a variety of unapproved indications. Importantly, a sizable portion of these are within IDSA guideline recommendations. Most patients are treated with doses higher than the approved 6 mg/kg without major safety concerns.

Historique: Santé Canada approuve la daptomycine pour le traitement de la bactériémie à Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) ainsi que des infections complexes de la peau et des tissus mous causées par des organismes Gram positif, mais ce médicament est souvent utilisé dans d'autres indications. Les auteurs cherchent à comprendre les indications, la posologie et le profil d'innocuité de la daptomycine chez les patients canadiens hospitalisés. Méthodologie: Les chercheurs ont inclus dans leur étude les adultes hospitalisés consécutifs qui avaient reçu de la daptomycine par voie intraveineuse entre le 1er janvier 2016 et le 31 décembre 2016 dans deux hôpitaux universitaires de soins tertiaires de Hamilton, en Ontario. Résultats: Les auteurs ont relevé 86 traitements chez 77 patients uniques. Le S. aureus était l'agent pathogène le plus courant (n = 38, 44 %), dont 87 % (n = 33) étaient résistants à la méthicilline. Les indications les plus fréquentes étaient des infections sanguines (n = 31, 36 %). Le traitement était d'une durée moyenne dix jours, à une dose moyenne de 7,4 mg/kg. Le service d'infectiologie a été consulté pour tous les traitements, sauf deux. Moins de la moitié des traitements ont été administrés dans une indication autorisée par Santé Canada (n = 41, 48 %). Près de la moitié des indications non autorisées (n = 21, 47 %) respectait les recommandations de l'Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). Dans quelques traitements (n = 7, 8 %), la créatine kinase était au moins trois fois plus élevée que le seuil supérieur de la normale, et dans un seul cas, le traitement a dû être abandonné. Conclusions: La daptomycine est utilisée dans diverses indications non approuvées pour traiter les patients hospitalisés. Toutefois, une forte proportion d'entre elles fait partie des recommandations de l'IDSA. La plupart des patients reçoivent des doses supérieures à celle approuvée de 6 mg/kg sans causer d'inquiétudes importantes sur le plan de l'innocuité.

Antimicrobial utilization data: Does point prevalence data correlate with defined daily doses?

We correlated antibiotic consumption measured by point prevalence survey with defined daily doses (DDD) across multiple hospitals. Point prevalence survey had a higher correlation (1) with monthly DDDs than annual DDDs, (2) in nonsurgical versus surgical wards, and (3) on high- versus low-utilization wards. Findings may be hospital specific due to hospital differences.

An update on the management of urinary tract infections in the era of antimicrobial resistance.

Urinary tract infections (UTIs) caused by antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria are a growing concern due to limited therapeutic options. Gram-negative bacteria, specifically Enterobacteriaceae, are common causes of both community-acquired and hospital acquired UTIs. These organisms can acquire genes that encode for multiple antibiotic resistance mechanisms, including extended-spectrum-lactamases (ESBLs), AmpC- ß -lactamase, and carbapenemases. The assessment of suspected UTI includes identification of characteristic symptoms or signs, urinalysis, dipstick or microscopic tests, and urine culture if indicated. UTIs are categorized according to location (upper versus lower urinary tract) and severity (uncomplicated versus complicated). Increasing rates of antibiotic resistance necessitate judicious use of antibiotics through the application of antimicrobial stewardship principles. Knowledge of the common causative pathogens of UTIs including local susceptibility patterns are essential in determining appropriate empiric therapy. The recommended first-line empiric therapies for acute uncomplicated bacterial cystitis in otherwise healthy adult nonpregnant females is a 5-day course of nitrofurantion or a 3-g single dose of fosfomycin tromethamine. Second-line options include fluoroquinolones and ß-lactams, such as amoxicillin-clavulanate. Current treatment options for UTIs due to AmpC- ß -lactamase-producing organisms include fosfomycin, nitrofurantion, fluoroquinolones, cefepime, piperacillin-tazobactam and carbapenems. In addition, treatment options for UTIs due to ESBLs-producing Enterobacteriaceae include nitrofurantion, fosfomycin, fluoroquinolones, cefoxitin, piperacillin-tazobactam, carbapenems, ceftazidime-avibactam, ceftolozane-tazobactam, and aminoglycosides. Based on identification and susceptibility results, alternatives to carbapenems may be used to treat mild-moderate UTIs caused by ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae. Ceftazidime-avibactam, colistin, polymixin B, fosfomycin, aztreonam, aminoglycosides, and tigecycline are treatment options for UTIs caused by carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE). Treatment options for UTIs caused by multidrug resistant (MDR)-Pseudomonas spp. include fluoroquinolones, ceftazidime, cefepime, piperacillin-tazobactam, carbapenems, aminoglycosides, colistin, ceftazidime-avibactam, and ceftolozane-tazobactam. The use of fluoroquinolones for empiric treatment of UTIs should be restricted due to increased rates of resistance. Aminoglycosides, colistin, and tigecycline are considered alternatives in the setting of MDR Gram-negative infections in patients with limited therapeutic options.

Postexposure management of infectious diseases.

Anyone exposed to an infectious disease--whether a healthcare provider, patient, or contact of a patient--should be evaluated promptly and the source of the infection identified. A systematic response entails postexposure prophylactic therapy if available and indicated, infection control measures to prevent further transmission, counseling and educating those involved, and assessing those who may require work restriction or modification.

Antimicrobial stewardship in the intensive care setting--a review and critical appraisal of the literature.

BACKGROUND: Many antimicrobial stewardship programmes (ASPs) target the intensive care unit owing to high antimicrobial utilisation. In this review, we summarise and assess the quality of evidence supporting the implementation of various ASP strategies in the intensive care unit setting with a focus on publications between 2010 and 2015. METHODS: We searched Medline up to April 2015 and screened publications of interest for additional relevant articles. We grouped the strategies into four categories: audit and feedback, formulary restrictions, guidelines/clinical pathways, and procalcitonin. We used GRADE terminology to describe the quality of evidence. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: We identified several studies reporting optimisation and reduction of antibiotic utilisation as well as cost reduction in all four strategies. Randomised controlled trials reviewing the role of procalcitonin demonstrate a moderate level of evidence. Given the lack of randomised controlled trials to support the role of guidelines, formulary restrictions, and audit and feedback, the level of evidence supporting these strategies is low. Importantly, there is no convincing evidence to support the main goal of ASP, namely to improve patient outcomes. Larger, rigorous long-term studies using a cluster randomised controlled trial or at least a controlled quasi-experimental design with time series are required to assess the impact of ASP on patient-important outcomes and on the emergence of resistance in the intensive care unit setting.

Inadequate documentation of urinary tract infection symptoms in the medical chart.

We evaluated symptom documentation for 312 inpatients with bacteriuria by comparing information found in the chart with that obtained prospectively from the medical and nursing team caring for the patient. There was only moderate agreement (κ = 0.55), and only 77% of symptomatic patients had any symptom documented in the chart.

Postexposure management of healthcare personnel to infectious diseases.

Healthcare personnel (HCP) are at risk of exposure to various pathogens through their daily tasks and may serve as a reservoir for ongoing disease transmission in the healthcare setting. Management of HCP exposed to infectious agents can be disruptive to patient care, time-consuming, and costly. Exposure of HCP to an infectious source should be considered an urgent medical concern to ensure timely management and administration of postexposure prophylaxis, if available and indicated. Infection control and occupational health departments should be notified for management of exposed HCP, identification of all contacts of the index case, and application of immediate infection control measures for the index case and exposed HCP, if indicated. This article reviews the main principles of postexposure management of HCP to infectious diseases, in general, and to certain common infections, in particular, categorized by their route of transmission, in addition to primary prevention of these infections.

A Controlled Quasi-Experimental Study of an Educational Intervention to Reduce the Unnecessary Use of Antimicrobials For Asymptomatic Bacteriuria.

BACKGROUND: Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU) should only be treated in cases of pregnancy or in-patients undergoing urologic procedures; however, unnecessary treatment of ABU is common in clinical practice. OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors for unnecessary treatment and to assess the impact of an educational intervention focused on these risk factors on treatment of ABU. DESIGN: Quasi-experimental study with a control group. SETTING: Two tertiary teaching adult care hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: Consecutive patients with positive urine cultures between January 30th and April 17th, 2012 (baseline) and January 30th and April 30th, 2013 (intervention). INTERVENTION: In January 2013, a multifaceted educational intervention based on risk factors identified during the baseline period was provided to medical residents (monthly) on one clinical teaching unit (CTU) at one hospital site, with the CTU of the other hospital serving as the control. RESULTS: During the baseline period, 160/341 (46.9%) positive urine cultures were obtained from asymptomatic patients at the two hospitals, and 94/160 (58.8%) were inappropriately treated with antibiotics. Risk factors for inappropriate use included: female gender (OR 2.1, 95% CI 1.1-4.3), absence of a catheter (OR 2.5, 1.2-5), bacteriuria versus candiduria (OR 10.6, 3.8-29.4), pyuria (OR 2.0, 1.1-3.8), and positive nitrites (OR 2.2, 1.1-4.5). In 2013, only 2/24 (8%) of ABU patients were inappropriately treated on the intervention CTU as compared to 14/29 (52%) on the control CTU (OR 0.10; 95% CI 0.02-0.49). A reduction was also observed as compared to baseline on the intervention CTU (OR 0.1, 0.02-0.7) with no significant change noted on the control CTU (OR 0.47, 0.13-1.7). CONCLUSIONS: A multifaceted educational intervention geared towards medical residents with a focus on identified risk factors for inappropriate management of ABU was effective in reducing unnecessary antibiotic use.

Inappropriate use of antibiotics and Clostridium difficile infection.

We assessed appropriateness of preceding and concurrent antibiotics in 126 consecutive patients with hospital-associated Clostridium difficile infection. In 93 (73.8%) episodes, at least 1 preceding course of antibiotics was inappropriate. We provided feedback on concurrent antibiotics on the day of diagnosis during the final 8 months: 17 of 74 (23.0%) patients were on inappropriate antibiotics. Our recommendations were well received. Reviewing C difficile-infected patients allowed for identification of opportunities to improve antibiotic utilization and potentially improved patient outcomes.

Medical management of diabetic foot infections.

Diabetic foot infections (DFIs) are a commonly encountered medical problem. They are associated with an increased frequency and length of hospitalization and risk for lower-extremity amputation. Furthermore, they have substantial economic consequences. Patients with diabetes mellitus are particularly susceptible to foot infections because of neuropathy, vascular insufficiency, and diminished neutrophil function. The approach to managing DFIs starts with determining if an infection exists. If an infection exists, then the type, severity, extent of infection, and risk factors for resistant organisms should be determined through history, physical examination, and additional laboratory and radiological testing. Optimal management requires surgical debridement, pressure offloading, effective antibiotic therapy, wound care and moisture, maintaining good vascular supply, and correction of metabolic abnormalities, such as hyperglycemia, through a multidisciplinary team. Empiric antibiotics for DFIs vary based on the severity of the infection, but must include anti-staphylococcal coverage.

Management of complicated urinary tract infections in the era of antimicrobial resistance.

Complicated urinary tract infections (cUTIs) are a major cause of hospital admissions and are associated with significant morbidity and health care costs. Patients presenting with a suspected UTI should be screened for the presence of complicating factors, such as anatomic and functional abnormalities of the genitourinary tract. In the setting of cUTIs, the etiology and susceptibility of the causative organism is not predictable; therefore, when infection is suspected, patients should undergo a urinalysis in addition to culture and sensitivity testing. Although not warranted in all cases of complicated pyelonephritis, blood cultures are appropriate in some clinical settings. With the increased prevalence of antimicrobial resistance, and the lack of well-designed clinical trials, treatment of cUTIs can be challenging for clinicians. Although resistant organisms are not always implicated as the causative agent, all patients with cUTIs should be assessed for predisposing risk factors. Consideration of an optimal antimicrobial agent should be based on local resistance patterns, patient-specific factors, including anatomic site of infection and severity of disease, pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles, and cost. Resistance to first-line antimicrobial agents, including fluoroquinolones, has become increasingly common in Escherichia coli. Fluoroquinolones should not be used as a first-line option for empiric treatment of serious cUTIs, especially when patients exhibit risk factors for harboring a resistant organism, such as previous or recent use of fluoroquinolones. Fluoroquinolones, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, and nitrofurantoin are still appropriate empiric options for mild lower cUTIs. However, empiric treatment for serious cUTIs, where risk factors for resistant organisms exist, should include broad-spectrum antibiotics such as carbapenems or piperacillin-tazobactam. Once organisms and susceptibilities are identified, treatment should be targeted accordingly. Nitrofurantoin and fosfomycin have limited utility in the setting of cUTIs and should be reserved as alternative treatment options for lower cUTIs following confirmation of the causative organism. Aminoglycosides, tigecycline, and polymyxins can be used for the treatment of serious cUTIs when first-line options are deemed to be inappropriate or patients fail therapy. The duration of treatment for cUTIs has not been well established; however, treatment durations can range from 1 to 4 weeks based on the clinical situation.