A novel, integrated approach for understanding and investigating Healthcare Associated Infections: A risk factors constellation analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are major public health threats in upper- and lower-middle-income countries. Electronic health records (EHRs) are an invaluable source of data for achieving different goals, including the early detection of HAIs and AMR clusters within healthcare settings; evaluation of attributable incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs); and implementation of governance policies. In Italy, the burden of HAIs is estimated to be 702.53 DALYs per 100,000 population, which has the same magnitude as the burden of ischemic heart disease. However, data in EHRs are usually not homogeneous, not properly linked and engineered, or not easily compared with other data. Moreover, without a proper epidemiological approach, the relevant information may not be detected. In this retrospective observational study, we established and engineered a new management system on the basis of the integration of microbiology laboratory data from the university hospital "Policlinico Tor Vergata" (PTV) in Italy with hospital discharge forms (HDFs) and clinical record data. All data are currently available in separate EHRs. We propose an original approach for monitoring alert microorganisms and for consequently estimating HAIs for the entire period of 2018. METHODS: Data extraction was performed by analyzing HDFs in the databases of the Hospital Information System. Data were compiled using the AREAS-ADT information system and ICD-9-CM codes. Quantitative and qualitative variables and diagnostic-related groups were produced by processing the resulting integrated databases. The results of research requests for HAI microorganisms and AMR profiles sent by the departments of PTV from 01/01/2018 to 31/12/2018 and the date of collection were extracted from the database of the Complex Operational Unit of Microbiology and then integrated. RESULTS: We were able to provide a complete and richly detailed profile of the estimated HAIs and to correlate them with the information contained in the HDFs and those available from the microbiology laboratory. We also identified the infection profile of the investigated hospital and estimated the distribution of coinfections by two or more microorganisms of concern. Our data were consistent with those in the literature, particularly the increase in mortality, length of stay, and risk of death associated with infections with Staphylococcus spp, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Clostridioides difficile, Candida spp., and Acinetobacter baumannii. Even though less than 10% of the detected HAIs showed at least one infection caused by an antimicrobial resistant bacterium, the contribution of AMR to the overall risk of increased mortality was extremely high. CONCLUSIONS: The increasing availability of health data stored in EHRs represents a unique opportunity for the accurate identification of any factor that contributes to the diffusion of HAIs and AMR and for the prompt implementation of effective corrective measures. That said, artificial intelligence might be the future of health data analysis because it may allow for the early identification of patients who are more exposed to the risk of HAIs and for a more efficient monitoring of HAI sources and outbreaks. However, challenges concerning codification, integration, and standardization of health data recording and analysis still need to be addressed.

Microbiology and Clinical Outcome of Hospital-Acquired Respiratory Infections in an Italian Teaching Hospital: A Retrospective Study.

The burden, microbial etiology and clinical impact of hospital-acquired respiratory infections (HARIs) were determined at an Italian teaching hospital over a 12-month period. For this purpose, overall ordinary hospitalizations ≥ 2 days of subjects over 18 years old with discharge from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2018 were examined by cross-referencing demographic and clinical data from hospital discharge forms with microbiological data from the computer system of the Microbiology Unit. We identified 329 individuals with HARIs (96 females and 233 males; median age 70 years, range 18−93), who represented » of the total hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) in the period. The inpatient setting was medical and surgical in similar proportions (169 vs. 160, respectively) and the mean hospital stay was 38.9 ± 33.6 days. One hundred and forty patients (42.6% of the total sample) were suffering from one or more chronic diseases. A total of 581 microorganisms (82 antibiotic-resistant and 499 non-resistant) were detected in HARI patients. The most common isolated species were Staphylococcus aureus (16.7%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (13.3%), Pseudomonas spp. (12.6%) and Acinetobacter baumannii (10.5%), followed by Enterobacter spp. (5.3%), Escherichia coli (5.2%) and Enterococcus spp. (4.8%). One hundred and sixty-seven individuals (49.0% of the total) had polymicrobial infections. One hundred thirty-one patients (39.8% of the total) underwent endotracheal intubation and mechanical ventilation and 62.6% of them died, compared to 17.7% of the non-intubated patients. Multivariable analysis confirmed a positive correlation between death and increased age (p = 0.05), surgical MDC (p = 0.007), number of microorganisms over the sample mean (p = 0.001), the presence of chronic diseases (p = 0.046), and intubation and mechanical ventilation (p < 0.0001). A positive correlation between intubation and antibiotic-resistant organisms (p = 0.003) was also found. HARIs are still a major public health problem and require constant surveillance due to their severe clinical outcome.

Monitoring cardiovascular diseases and associated risk factors in the adult population to better orient prevention strategies in Italy.

INTRODUCTION: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the first cause of death in Europe and over the world. This study analyses health-related behaviours in adults referring doctor-diagnosed CVDs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We used data from the Italian cross-sectional Behavioural Risk Factor Surveillance System PASSI gathered in 2015-2018. Complex survey design analyses included the Taylor series method for variance estimation and Poisson regression for associations between socio-demographic characteristics and CVD. RESULTS: Among 132,598 respondents, the prevalence of doctor-diagnosed CVD was 5%. Higher percentages are observed among: men, older individuals, socioeconomically disadvantaged people. Compared to the general population, people with CVD have greater risk and aggravating factors, and a worse health status overall. All protective behaviors and lifestyles shall be improved. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: In Italy, adults with CVD are more likely to be exposed to aggravating modifiable risk factors: it represents a valuable information for increased preventive interventions, even more in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic scenario.

Noninvasive mobile EEG as a tool for seizure monitoring and management: A systematic review.

In the last two decades new noninvasive mobile electroencephalography (EEG) solutions have been developed to overcome limitations of conventional clinical EEG and to improve monitoring of patients with long-term conditions. Despite the availability of mobile innovations, their adoption is still very limited. The aim of this study is to review the current state-of-the-art and highlight the main advantages of adopting noninvasive mobile EEG solutions in clinical trials and research studies of people with epilepsy or suspected seizures. Device characteristics are described, and their evaluation is presented. Two authors independently performed a literature review in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. A combination of different digital libraries was used (Embase, MEDLINE, Global Health, PsycINFO and https://clinicaltrials.gov/). Twenty-three full-text, six conference abstracts, and eight webpages were included, where a total of 14 noninvasive mobile solutions were identified. Published studies demonstrated at different levels how EEG recorded via mobile EEG can be used for visual detection of EEG abnormalities and for the application of automatic-detection algorithms with acceptable specificity and sensitivity. When the quality of the signal was compared with scalp EEG, many similarities were found in the background activities and power spectrum. Several studies indicated that the experience of patients and health care providers using mobile EEG was positive in different settings. Ongoing trials are focused mostly on improving seizure-detection accuracy and also on testing and assessing feasibility and acceptability of noninvasive devices in the hospital and at home. This review supports the potential clinical value of noninvasive mobile EEG systems and their advantages in terms of time, technical support, cost, usability, and reliability when applied to seizure detection and management. On the other hand, the limitations of the studies confirmed that future research is needed to provide more evidence regarding feasibility and acceptability in different settings, as well as the data quality and detection accuracy of new noninvasive mobile EEG solutions.

A systematic review of TMS and neurophysiological biometrics in patients with schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: Transcranial magnetic stimulation can be combined with electromyography (TMS-EMG) and electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) to evaluate the excitatory and inhibitory functions of the cerebral cortex in a standardized manner. It has been postulated that schizophrenia is a disorder of functional neural connectivity underpinned by a relative imbalance of excitation and inhibition. The aim of this review was to provide a comprehensive overview of TMS-EMG and TMS-EEG research in schizophrenia, focused on excitation or inhibition, connectivity, motor cortical plasticity and the effect of antipsychotic medications, symptom severity and illness duration on TMS-EMG and TMS-EEG indices. METHODS: We searched PsycINFO, Embase and Medline, from database inception to April 2020, for studies that included TMS outcomes in patients with schizophrenia. We used the following combination of search terms: transcranial magnetic stimulation OR tms AND interneurons OR glutamic acid OR gamma aminobutyric acid OR neural inhibition OR pyramidal neurons OR excita* OR inhibit* OR GABA* OR glutam* OR E-I balance OR excitation-inhibition balance AND schizoaffective disorder* OR Schizophrenia OR schizophreni*. RESULTS: TMS-EMG and TMS-EEG measurements revealed deficits in excitation or inhibition, functional connectivity and motor cortical plasticity in patients with schizophrenia. Increased duration of the cortical silent period (a TMS-EMG marker of γ-aminobutyric acid B receptor activity) with clozapine was a relatively consistent finding. LIMITATIONS: Most of the studies used patients with chronic schizophrenia and medicated patients, employed cross-sectional group comparisons and had small sample sizes. CONCLUSION: TMS-EMG and TMS-EEG offer an opportunity to develop a novel and improved understanding of the physiologic processes that underlie schizophrenia and to assess the therapeutic effect of antipsychotic medications. In the future, these techniques may also help predict disease progression and further our understanding of the excitatory/inhibitory balance and its implications for mechanisms that underlie treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

Viruses of Respiratory Tract: an Observational Retrospective Study on Hospitalized Patients in Rome, Italy.

Respiratory tract infections account for high morbidity and mortality around the world. Fragile patients are at high risk of developing complications such as pneumonia and may die from it. Limited information is available on the extent of the circulation of respiratory viruses in the hospital setting. Most knowledge relates to influenza viruses (FLU) but several other viruses produce flu-like illness. The study was conducted at the University Hospital Policlinico Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy. Clinical and laboratory data from hospitalized patients with respiratory tract infections during the period October 2016-March 2019 were analysed. The retrospective analysis included 17 viral agents detected by FilmArray test and clinical data from medical records and hospital discharge sheets. Models were adjusted for relevant confounders such as clinical severity and risk of death, socio-demographic characteristics and surgical procedures. From a total of 539 specimens analysed, 180 (33.39%) were positive for one or more respiratory viruses. Among them, 83 (46.1 %) were positive for influenza viruses (FLU), 36 (20%) rhino/enteroviruses (RHV/EV), 17 (9.44%) human coronaviruses (HCOV-229E, -HKU1, -NL63, and -OC43), 17 (9.44%) respiratory syncytial virus, 15 (8.33%) human metapneumovirus (HMPV), 8 (4.44%) parainfluenza viruses (PIV) and 4 (2.22%) adenoviruses (ADV). The distribution of viral agents varied across age groups and month of detection. The positive specimens were from 168 patients [102 M, 66 F; median age (range): 64 years (19-93)]. Overall, 40% of them had a high-grade clinical severity and a 27% risk of death; 27 patients died and 22 of them (81.5%) had received a clinical diagnosis of pneumonia. Respiratory viral infections may have a severe course and a poor prognosis in hospitalized patients, due to underlying comorbidities. Monitoring the circulation of respiratory viruses in hospital settings is important to improve diagnosis, prevention and treatment.

[The Italian Immunization Plan 2017: analysis and starting point for the Regional Plans]. / Il nuovo Piano Nazionale Prevenzione Vaccinale 2017-2019: analisi e punto di partenza per i piani regionali.

The National Immunization Plan 2017-2019 has been approved on January 2017. This official document contains the new Italian guidelines to improve vaccination coverage in the country. We conducted an accurate and critical analysis of the document, highlighting its key points and critical issues, in order to offer an practical tool for writing the Regional Plans. The new immunization schedule and the establishment of a restricted panel for the vaccine vigilance are the most significant innovations of the Plan. The Plan addresses also the issues of mandatory vaccination and of penalties for physicians who advise against vaccinations. Together with the presence of qualifying aspects as information about the ethical value and the benefits of vaccination, the Plan contains other interesting proposals, such as the introduction of a computerized vaccination register and the targeted use of new technologies to reach the population extensively. The Plan is set up as a conceptually rich tool, suitable for the development of regional operational plans.

[The active offering of measles, rubella and mumps vaccine in new mothers: the experience of health facilities in one of the Local Health Unit of Rome, Lazio, Italy]. / Offerta attiva della vaccinazione Morbillo, Parotite e Rosolia nelle donne in occasione della prima vaccinazione del figlio: l'esperienza della ex ASL Roma C.

Rubella is a contagious disease that can be very serious, especially in unvaccinated pregnant women. The best way to be protected is getting vaccinated: MMR vaccine is very effective at protecting people against measles, mumps, and rubella, and preventing the complications caused by these diseases. According to PASSI 2012-2015 (the Italian behavioral risk factor surveillance system) in the territory of ex ASL Roma C only 56% of women between 18 and 49 years were immunized against rubella, thanks to vaccination (34%) or past infection detected by rubeotest (22%); 2% was susceptible and 42% of respondents did not know their immune status against rubella. The Italian National Plan for the Elimination of Measles and Congenital Rubella (PNEMoRc) 2010-15 had the aim to reduce the prevalence of rubella susceptibility in young women (<5%), to reduce the prevalence of congenital rubella and to increase MMR vaccination coverage. This plan suggested to promote actions to spread correct information about MMR vaccine in the general population and healthcare workers and to offer this vaccine to susceptible women during every appropriate contact with the Family planning clinics. In order to ensure and monitor these recommendations, a recovery procedure for MMR vaccine was activated in 2015 for women who contacted the health facilities for their first child vaccination. A form was developed in order to collect information about women's immune status against rubella and measles. According to this tool all women who stated they had never been vaccinated for rubella or MMR and/or did not remember vaccination and/or had never had a rubeotest were considered susceptible to rubella. Women susceptible to rubella were invited to undergo vaccination. Data collected during one year activity were recorded and analyzed with Epinfo 7.0 software. We collected 1801 correctly filled forms; 88.6% (1595) of women were evaluated immune to rubella and 11.4% susceptible. The prevalence of susceptibility seems to be influenced by age, from 16% in the youngest age group to 9% in the >35 years. Among 206 women susceptible to rubella: 38% were vaccinated, 31% preferred to wait, 11% refused vaccination and for 20% data is missing. The protocol of MMR vaccine recovery was effective, and allowed to reach a good number of women who had a contact with the health facilities and we hope this number to be bigger, adding a part of those women who preferred to wait. However, data of a year activity indicate that vaccine recovery initiatives should be proposed and implemented, in consideration of the proportion of rubella susceptibility in women who were recently pregnant.