[Legal Obligation to Notify Severe Clostridiodes difficile Infections - Data from Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Overview and Discussion]. / Meldepflicht für schwere Clostridiodes difficile ­ Infektionen ­ Daten aus Frankfurt am Main, 2014­2018. Bestandsaufnahme und Diskussion.

BACKGROUND: Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) is the most frequently identified causative agent of antibiotic-associated diarrhea in industrialized countries. As early as 2007, severe C. difficile infections (CDI) were to be notified in Germany as a "threatening disease with an indication of grave danger to the general public". In 2016, the Notification Adjustment Ordinance put in force a duty to notify CDI with a clinically severe course. Here, the necessity and suitability of mandatory notification of severe CDI in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, 2014-2018 is examined. MATERIAL/METHOD: Cases of CDI reported to the health department Frankfurt am Main were compared with the C. difficile-associated deaths in Frankfurt for 2014-2018. The results were compared with data from the literature, the national reporting data according to the Infection Protection Act (IfSG), the mortality statistics, the hospital treatment data as well as the hospital surveillance data of the German hospital infection surveillance system for C difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD). RESULTS: With the entry into force of the new Notification Adjustment Ordinance, the number of CDIs reported annually in Frankfurt am Main increased from 5-8 to 13-14; however, in all years (with the exception of 2016), the number of deaths (death-leading illness or previous cause) was -17-50 per year and thus well above the number of reported CDI-cases according to the German Infection Protection Act. CONCLUSION: The notification data from Frankfurt am Main show an approx. 2-fold lower score compared to the CDI-associated deaths. From the data of the Hospital Surveillance System (CDAD-KISS), it can be estimated that the majority of the cases are not notified. While an increase in CDI notifications is reported nationwide, there is a decrease in data from nationwide death statistics, hospital treatment data and CDI prevalence, and an increase in incidence of severe CDI. Therefore, and taking into account legal requirements of the IfSG and the options for action of the health authorities according to § 23 (4) Infection prevention act (IfSG), and regarding European recommendations and available data on CDI surveillance, the obligation to notify CDI should be lifted.

[The SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic in Long-Term Care Facilities for the Elderly: Analysis of Data from Frankfurt am Main, Germany, March 2020 - September 2021]. / Die SARS-CoV-2-Pandemie in Altenpflegeheimen: Erkenntnisse und Analysen in Frankfurt am Main von März 2020 bis September 2021.

BACKGROUND: Residents in long-term care facilities (LTCF) are particularly vulnerable during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. In the first wave of the pandemic in many countries, 30-70% of all deaths from or with SARS-CoV-2 were LTCF residents, although their proportion in the population is typically less than 1%. Findings from LTCFs in Frankfurt am Main (March 2020-September 2021) are presented below and discussed in terms of necessary improvements. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The reports of positive PCR tests for SARS-CoV-2 in residents and staff of the LTCF in Frankfurt am Main and their symptoms were descriptively evaluated. In addition, the total deaths in nursing homes from 2018 to June 2021 were surveyed per quarter. RESULTS: In the first pandemic wave (March-May 2020), 111 SARS-CoV-2-positive LTCF residents were reported to the Public Health Department in Frankfurt am Main, of whom 40% were asymptomatic, 48% were hospitalized, and 23% died. In the subsequent pandemic phases through September 30, 2021, additional 1196 residents infected with SARS-CoV-2 were reported, with most of them being asymptomatic (70%); they were hospitalized less frequently (27%). Mortality was also lower (17.6%). Overall mortality in LTCF was 7.6% higher in 2020 than in 2019 and 1.1% higher than in the "flu year" of 2018. DISCUSSION: In contrast to the first wave, when only a few LTCF residents contracted COVID-19, in the second pandemic wave in autumn/winter 2020/21, with high incidences in the general population, SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks in LTCF in Frankfurt could not be prevented, despite extensive hygiene, infection prevention, and contact mitigation measures (including visitor restrictions) that massively limited residents' quality of life and their personal rights. Only when vaccination rates increased among residents and staff from April 2021 onwards, there were no massive outbreaks. To better protect LTCF residents, an appropriate balance was called for between protecting against infection and avoiding collateral damage by maintaining the freedom and quality of life of nursing home residents as best as possible.

[Children in the COVID-19 pandemic and the public health service (ÖGD) : Data and reflections from Frankfurt am Main, Germany]. / Kinder in der COVID-19 Pandemie und der Öffentliche Gesundheitsdienst (ÖGD) : Daten und Überlegungen aus Frankfurt am Main.

BACKGROUND: The measures taken to combat the COVID-19 pandemic have severely restricted the opportunities for the development of children. This paper will discuss the reporting data of children and the public health department's activities against the background of the restrictions of school and leisure time offers as well as sports and club activities. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Reporting data from Frankfurt am Main, Hesse, were obtained using a SURVStat query for the calendar weeks 10/2020-28/2021 and from SURVNet (until 30 June 2021). Contact persons (CP) of SARS-CoV­2 positive persons from schools and daycare centers were screened for SARS-CoV­2 by PCR test. These results and those of rapid antigen testing, which has been mandatory for schoolchildren since April 2021, are presented. RESULTS: Until Easter break, the age-related seven-day incidence values per 100,000 for children 14 years of age and younger were lower than the overall incidence; it was only higher after rapid antigen-testing was mandatory for schoolchildren. Most children with SARS-CoV­2 had no or mild symptoms; hospitalization was rarely required and no deaths occurred. Contact tracing in schools and daycare centers found no positive contacts in most cases and rarely more than two. Larger outbreaks did not occur. CONCLUSION: SARS-CoV­2 infections in children appear to be less frequent and much less severe than in adults. Hygiene rules and contact management have proven themselves effective during times with high incidences in the local population without mandatory rapid antigen testing - and even with a high proportion of variants of concern (alpha and delta variants) in Germany. Against this background, further restriction of school and daycare operations appears neither necessary nor appropriate.

[Toilet Hygiene in Schools: an Old and Still Current Topic. Results of a Survey of School Administrators and Students in Frankfurt am Main, 2018]. / Toilettenhygiene in Schulen: ein altes und immer noch aktuelles Thema. Ergebnisse einer Umfrage bei Schulleitungen und Schülern in Frankfurt am Main, 2018.

BACKGROUND: Due to numerous complaints regarding the bad condition of the toilets in schools in Frankfurt am Main, a structured survey was conducted in schools in June 2018. The objectives of the survey were: investigation of problem situations and collection of good-practice examples METHODS: One questionnaire was developed for the school management and another one for the students, to be completed by each class. Experiences and suggestions for improvement were asked for from both the management and the students RESULTS: All 147 schools in Frankfurt were contacted. 86 directors (57.8%) returned the questionnaires for the management, out of 107 (72.8%) of the schools, 982 class questionnaires were completed and returned. 18.6% of directors were satisfied with the condition of the toilets; as success factors they listed pedagogical measures and provision of sufficient hygiene articles (each 14%) as well as increased cleaning frequency (12%). As a cause of problems, 73% of the directors reported student behavior. Suggestions for improvement included: more frequent cleaning, additional supervisors, construction/renovation work and a higher budget for toiletries. About 10% of the 982 classes had no complaints about their school toilets, 92% of the classes complained of stench, 85% of dirt, and 70% of missing toilet paper. As a reason for problems, 89% of the classes stated student behavior. Suggestions for improvement of the students ranged from improved cleaning and more cleaning personnel, more personnel for control and supervision, etc. to technical solutions such as a chip and code system. CONCLUSIONS: The survey confirms the need for addressing the problems related to school toilets. Both school directors and classes most often cited user behavior and vandalism as the cause, well ahead of problems with cleaning or old toilets. Therefore, although improved cleaning is often required, it is not enough. A change in the behavior of students ís necessary as well. The proposed improvement measures should be tested and if found to be effective, implemented.

[Multidrug Resistant Organisms (MDRO) in Rehabilitation: Prevalence and Risk Factors for MRGN and VRE]. / Multiresistente Erreger (MRE) in der Rehabilitation: Prävalenz und Risikofaktoren für MRGN und VRE.

BACKGROUND: After a first large-scale study on multi-drug resistant organisms (MDRO) in rehabilitation facilities in 2014, the Rhine-Main network on MDRO carried out another investigation in 2019. With regard to the recently published KRINKO recommendations on multidrug resistant enterococci, now vancomycin -resistant enterococci (VRE) and multi-drug resistant gram-negative pathogens (3MRGN and 4MRGN, i. e. gramnegative organisms resistant against 3 resp. 4 groups of antiinfectiva) were investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 16 hospitals took part, including one clinic for early neurological rehabilitation (ENR). Patient participation was voluntary. Rectal swabs were analyzed in a medical-microbiological laboratory (certified according to DIN ISO 15189) using standard methods (including MALDI-TOF-MS and VITEK 2 resistance testing according to EUCAST). By using the standardized questionnaire of the Europe-wide HALT examination (healthcare associated infections in long-term care facilities), patient characteristics (age, gender, hospital, surgical and MDRO medical history, Medical devices, current antibiotic therapy etc.) were collected. RESULTS: 928 patients took part in the study, 895 from general rehabilitation facilities (GR) and 33 from early neurological rehabilitation (ENR). 65% of GR patients (ENR 100%) had been hospitalized in the previous 6 months, 29% (ENR 100%) of the patients had been admitted directly from a hospital, 22% (ENR 64%) had received antibiotic therapy in the last 3 months. Medical devices were rarely used in GR patients with 1% overall, but often in the ENR with 61% urinary catheters and 36% vascular catheters. 2.2% (ENR 33.3%) of GR patients were colonized with VRE and 6.7% (ENR 18.2%) with 3MRGN; one patient exhibited a 4MRGN (ENR 0). DISCUSSION: Compared to our previous study, there were no significant changes in the patient characteristics. The VRE prevalence was low at 3.3%, the prevalence of 3MRGN was higher compared to 2014 (7.1% vs. 3.6%). Risk factors for VRE and 3MRGN colonization (significant increased odds ratio) were: history of hospital treatment and an increased need for care due to restricted mobility, incontinence and disorientation. In addition, previous antibiotic treatment and skin barrier injuries due to Medical devices or wounds were detected as further risk factors for VRE colonization.

[Heat-related morbidity: real-time surveillance via rescue service operations data from the interdisciplinary care capacity proof system (IVENA)]. / Hitzeassoziierte Morbidität: Surveillance in Echtzeit mittels rettungsdienstlicher Daten aus dem Interdisziplinären Versorgungsnachweis (IVENA).

BACKGROUND: In addition to mortality data, hospital admission, emergency department visits, and emergency service calls data are used for the surveillance of heat-related morbidity. We report on heat-associated morbidity in Frankfurt am Main from 2014-2018 using the web-based care capacity proof system (IVENA) of the rescue service operations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the web-based IVENA system, all patients with prehospital emergency care are recorded in real time. The rescue service operations were evaluated in the summer months (June-August) from 2014-2018 in Frankfurt am Main as a whole and separately according to various heat-related diagnoses. The current temperature data of the Frankfurt East measuring station were obtained online as hourly values from the website of the Hessian Institute for Nature Conservation, Environment and Geology ( www.hlnug.de ). Temperature maxima ≥32 ℃ for at least 5 days were defined as a "heatwave." RESULTS: From 2014-2018, three heatwaves occurred according to the definition above: in 2015, 2016, and 2018, with an extremely long heat period in 2018 (17 days). During the heatwave in 2015, the highest excess morbidity was noted: +17% total ambulance service operations and +198% emergency service operations due to heat-related disease disorders. The evaluation of the long heat period in 2018 showed that with increasing duration of the heat period, the emergency rescue service operations due to total heat-associated morbidity remained high with increasing emergency service operations due to exsiccosis and unclear fever. CONCLUSION: The data obtained by the IVENA system enable a current and complete assessment of severe acute diseases in the city or in the respective rescue service area in real time. Health effects of heat events can thus be investigated in real time and the system can be used as an early warning system for prevention.

[Surveillance of antibiotic agents according to § 23 of the German Infection Protection Act-data and results from hospitals in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, 2012-2017]. / Antibiotika-Verbrauchs-Surveillance nach § 23 Infektionsschutzgesetz ­ Daten und Erfahrungen aus den Krankenhäusern in Frankfurt am Main, 2012­2017.

BACKGROUND: Since 2011, German hospitals have been requested to record and evaluate antibiotic use in their institution. In this publication, the use of antibiotics in hospitals belonging to the administrative district Frankfurt/Main between 2012 and 2017 is presented and discussed with regards to the targets set in 2014. These targets are to improve the perioperative prophylaxis, reduce the use of cefuroxime, and increase the penicillin/cephalosporin ratio. METHODS: Since 2012, hospitals in Frankfurt/Main have been transmitting the defined daily doses (DDD) of all antibiotics used, the absolute number of patients, and their days of treatment. Since 2013, the data have also distinguished between intensive care and other units. The Frankfurt health authority calculated the total number of antibiotics and the DDD/100 patient days for all hospitals combined as well as for every hospital compared to each other. RESULTS: From 2012 to 2017, the number of absolute annual patient days increased from 1,592,161 to 1,615,180. Antibiotic use decreased from 1,073,975 DDD to 953,349 DDD, leading to a decrease from 67.5 DDD per 100 patient days to 59.0 DDD per 100 patient days. Cefuroxime was the most frequently used antibiotic in all hospitals. The use of cefuroxime showed a significant decrease between 2012 and 2017 (from 250,398 in 2012 to 165,160 DDD in 2017, a decrease of 34%). The use of ceftriaxone was reduced by 27%, ciprofloxacin by 9%, and levofloxacin by 16%. DISCUSSION: The targets set in 2014 were reached in the entirety of Frankfurt hospitals. However, there were significant differences between the hospitals taking part. The results were given as feedback to the hospitals in order to support their efforts in further improving antibiotic stewardship.

[Personal preconditions for the prevention of nosocomial infections-guidelines of the German Commission for Hospital Hygiene and Infection Prevention (KRINKO), federal state hygiene regulations in Germany, and compliance by hospitals in Frankfurt am Main]. / Personelle Voraussetzungen zur Prävention nosokomialer Infektionen ­ Empfehlungen der KRINKO und Verordnungen der Länder sowie deren Umsetzung in Frankfurt am Main.

According to the amendment of the Infection Protection Act (2011), § 23, 8, all federal states in Germany had to pass their own hospital hygiene regulations, in which the need for hygiene specialists in a hospital is defined.This publication explains in its first part the differences between the nationwide Commission for Hospital Hygiene and Infection Prevention (KRINKO) regulations and the hygiene regulations of the different federal states (Hesse, Bavaria, etc.). All federal states - with the exception of Hesse (Hessian Hygiene Regulation, HHygVO) - refer to the relevant expert recommendations of KRINKO.In a second part of this publication, we highlight differences between KRINKO and HHygVO with the example of hospitals in the city of Frankfurt. In 2017, all Frankfurt hospitals had the necessary hygiene specialists (authorized hygiene practitioners, infection control nurses, authorized hygiene care nurses). However, the need for hospital hygienists could not be met, because there is an insufficient number of physician specialists for hospital hygiene available in Germany.The hospitals cannot solve this problem on their own - a political, superordinate decision and regulation must be made, i. e. by regulation and financial support for the advanced training of post-graduate physicians in hygiene. This is important since only experienced hospital hygienists can instruct or supervise hygiene specialists-in-training.

[Health Impact of the Heatwave of 2015: Hospital Admissions in Frankfurt/Main, Germany]. / Morbidität durch Hitze ­ eine Analyse der Krankenhauseinweisungen per Rettungseinsatz während einer Hitzewelle 2015 in Frankfurt/Main.

Heatwaves are gaining in importance due to increasing climatic changes. They can impair health and increase mortality. A comparison of studies is difficult because of differences in the definition of a heatwave used and/or different populations studied. In this study, morbidity data were collected using the web-based IVENA system. This system registers hospital admissions with diagnosis by the emergency medical services. We analysed hospital admissions in Frankfurt/Main during June-August of 2014-2016. These periods included a heatwave in July 2015 (per definition>32°C for at least 5 days/more than 4 days). On days with "heatwave", there was a 22% increase in hospital admissions of patients brought in by the emergency services (excess morbidity). Considering only "heat-related diagnosis", the increase was 300%. In addition to the increase in hospital admissions on "heatwave" days, there was also a direct correlation between temperature and hospital admissions over the summer days. Using the data on hospital admission of patients brought in by the emergency services turned out to be a valid marker for "heat morbidity".

Heat-related mortality in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, from 2000 to 2023.

Background: The major heatwave in Europe in August 2003 resulted in 70,000 excess deaths. In Frankfurt am Main, a city with 767,000 inhabitants in the south-west of Germany, around 200 more people died in August 2003 than expected. Soon afterwards, the city introduced adaptation measures to prevent heat-related health problems and subsequently established further mitigation measures to limit climate change. Frankfurt is rated as being one of the cities in Germany to have implemented the best climate adaptation and mitigation measures. This study addressed the following questions: is there already a downward trend in mortality from heat and can this be attributed to the measures taken? Materials and methods: The age-standardized mortality rate (ASR) was calculated for the months of June to August and for calendar weeks 23 to 34 of the individual years on the basis of population data and deaths of the inhabitants of Frankfurt am Main for the years 2000 to 2023. This was related to the meteorological data from the Frankfurt measuring station of the German National Meteorological Service. For four different heat exposure indicators (heat days, days in heat weeks, days in heatwaves and days with heat warnings), the incidence rate (death cases per 1 million person days) (IR) was calculated for days with and without exposure, and the incidence rate difference and the incidence rate ratio (IRR) were estimated to compare days with vs days without exposure. Results: Over the years, the mean daily temperatures tended to increase, and the standardized mortality rate decreased. An increase in ASR was observed during heatwaves up to 2015, but no longer in the later ones. In the summer of 2003, the incidence rate was 16.0 (95% confidence interval (CI) 12.2-19.9) per 1 million person days greater on heat days than on days not classified as heat days, and the corresponding incidence rate ratio was 1.64 (95% CI 1.48-1.82). Although the weather data for the summers of 2018 and 2022 were comparable with the record-breaking heat summer of 2003, the incidence rate differences (2018: 3.8, 95% CI 0.9-6.7; 2022: 2.3, 95% CI -0.3-4.9) and the IRR (2018: 1.20, 95% CI 1.05-1.37; 2022: 1.12, 95% CI 0.99-1.26) were considerably lower. Similar results were also obtained when comparing mortality in heat weeks and heatwaves as well as on days with heat warnings. Discussion: In summary, our study in Frankfurt am Main not only showed a decrease in heat-related mortality in the population as a whole over the years, but also a decrease in excess mortality during various heat periods (day, week, wave, warning), especially in comparison with the years with very high heat stress and drought (2003, 2018 and 2022). However, whether this development represents success of the intensive prevention measures that have been implemented in the city for years or merely describes a general trend cannot be answered with certainty by the present study. To answer this question, a comparative study should be carried out in various municipalities in the Rhine-Main region with different levels of intensity in dealing with the heat problem.

The new reporting obligation for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) in Germany - a critical view.

Background: In summer 2023, mandatory reporting of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) by name was introduced in Germany. The stated objectives were: to improve the database to prevent overburdening of the healthcare system, to implement targeted, early investigation and action by local health authorities to prevent further spread, and to assess vaccines after the expected approval of RSV vaccination. Methods: These objectives are examined against the background of data from mandatory reporting of RSV in the German federal state of Saxony, which has been required since 2002, and the data from the ARE (acute respiratory diseases) survey in Germany, considering the basic legal requirements and options of the Infection Protection Act, the requirements of the EU Commission for the collection of data on infectious diseases and the recommendations by experts of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the options for individual or general preventive measures by the health authorities and previous experience with the evaluation options of the reported data (especially regarding the effectiveness of vaccinations). Results and discussion: An extrapolation of the previously reported data from Saxony to the whole of Germany shows that over 100,000 reports per year must be expected (more than the reports of both rota and noroviruses together). Neither the requirements of the EU Commission nor the views of an expert group of the ECDC recommend mandatory RSV reporting. Mandatory reporting by name is also not appropriate from a legal perspective. A sentinel, which is also better suited to assessing vaccinations, would be more appropriate to avoid unnecessarily overburdening the health authorities. In addition, initial experience with wastewater sentinels for RSV has shown that they may be used to record local and regional RSV infections - albeit without information on the severity of the disease and thus the burden on the healthcare system.Against this background, mandatory reporting of RSV does not appear to be appropriate. Instead, the existing sentinels should be continued and further expanded, possibly supplemented by RSV wastewater monitoring.

Excess mortality during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in the City of Frankfurt/Main, Germany, in 2020 and 2021, adjusted for age trends and pandemic phases.

Aims: Excess mortality during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has been studied in many countries. Accounting for population aging has important implications for excess mortality estimates. We show the importance of adjustment for age trends in a small-scale mortality analysis as well as the importance of analysing different pandemic phases for mortality in an urban population. Methods: Population data for Frankfurt/Main for 2016-2021 were obtained from the Municipal Office of Statistics, City of Frankfurt/Main. Mortality data from 2016 to 2021 were provided by the Hessian State Authority. For standardized mortality ratios (SMR=observed number of deaths divided by the expected number of deaths), the expected number of deaths was calculated in two ways: For SMRcrude, the mean mortality rate from the years 2016-2019 was multiplied by the total number of residents in 2020 and 2021 separately. For SMRadjusted, this procedure was performed separately for five age groups, and the numbers of expected deaths per age group were added. Results: SMRcrude was 1.006 (95% CI: 0.980-1.031) in 2020, and 1.047 (95% CI: 1.021-1.073) in 2021. SMRadjusted was 0.976 (95% CI: 0.951-1.001) in 2020 and 0.998 (95% CI: 0.973-1.023) in 2021. Excess mortality was observed during pandemic wave 2, but not during pandemic waves 1 and 3. Conclusion: Taking the aging of the population into account, no excess mortality was observed in Frankfurt/Main in 2020 and 2021. Without adjusting for population aging trends in Frankfurt /Main, mortality would have been greatly overestimated.

Rescue service deployment data as an indicator of heat morbidity in Frankfurt / Main, Germany (2014-2022) - Trend association with various heat exposure indicators and considerations for outreach.

Many publications dealt with the monitoring of heat-related mortality. Fewer analyses referred to indicators of heat-related morbidity. The aim of this work was to describe the heat-related morbidity using rescue service data from the city of Frankfurt/Main, Germany for the time period 2014-2022, with regard to the questions: 1) How do rescue service deployments develop over the years? Is there a trend identifiable towards a decrease in deployments over the years, e.g. as an effect of either (physiological) adaptation of the population or of the measures for prevention of heat-related morbidity? 2) Which heat parameters (days with a heat warning, heat days, heat weeks, heat waves) are most strongly associated with heat-related morbidity in terms of rescue service deployments and might therefore be additionally used as an easily communicable and understandable heat-warning indicator? Rescue service data were provided by the interdisciplinary medical supply compass system "IVENA" and adjusted for population development including age development. The effect of various indicators for heat exposure, such as days with a heat warning from the German meteorological service based on the scientific concept of "perceived heat", heat days, heat wave days and heat week days on different endpoints for heat morbidity (deployments in total as well as for heat associated diagnoses) was calculated using both difference-based (difference ± 95% CI) and ratio-based (ratio ± 95% CI) effect estimators. Rescue services deployments in summer months increased overall from 2014 to 2022 in all age groups over the years (2698 to 3517/100.000 population). However, there was a significant decrease in 2020, which could be explained by the special situation of the COVID-19 pandemic, probably caused by the absence of tourists and commuters from the city. In addition, no data are available on the actual implementation of the measures by the population. Therefore, an effect of the measures taken to prevent heat-associated morbidity in Frankfurt am Main could not be directly demonstrated, and our first question cannot be answered on the basis of these data. Almost all heat definitions used for exposure (day with a heat warning, heat day, heat wave day, heat week day) showed significant effects on heat-associated diagnoses in every year. When analysing the effect on all deployments, the effect was in part strongly dependent on individual years: Heat wave days and heat week days even showed negative effects in some years. The definition heat day led to a significant increase in rescue service deployments in all single years between 2014 and 2022 (ratio 2014-2022 1.09 (95CI 1.07-1.11); with a range of 1.05 (95CI 1.01-1.09) in 2020 and 1.14 (95CI 1.08-1.21) in 2014), this was not the case for days with a heat warning (ratio 2014-2022 1.04 (95CI1.02-1.05); with a range of 1.01 (95CI 0.97-1.05) in 2017 and 1.16 (95CI 1.10-1.23). Thus being not inferior to the heat warning day, the "heat day" defined as ≥32 °C maximum temperature, easily obtainable from the weather forecast, can be recommended for the activities of the public health authorities (warning, surveillance etc.) regarding heat health action planning.

Development of morbidity and mortality of SARS-CoV-2 in nursing homes for the elderly in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, 2020-2022: What protective measures are still required?

Introduction: Nursing-home residents are among the highest risk group in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. At the onset of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, the majority of all deaths from or with SARS-CoV-2 occurred in long-term care facilities (LTCFs), so that maximum protective measures were mandated for these facilities. This study analyzed the impact of the new virus variants and the vaccination campaign on disease severity and mortality among nursing home residents and staff through 2022 as a basis for determining which protective measures remain necessary and appropriate. Methods: In five homes in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, with a total capacity for 705 residents, all cases occurring in the facility among residents and staff were recorded and documented (date of birth and diagnosis, hospitalization and death, vaccination status) and were descriptively analyzed with SPSS. Results: By 31st August 2022, 496 residents tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, 93 in 2020, 136 in 2021, and 267 in 2022; 14 residents presented with a second SARS-CoV-2 infection in 2022, having previously experienced an infection in 2020 or 2021. The percentage of hospitalizations decreased from 24.7% (2020) and 17.6% (2021) to 7.5% (2022), and the percentage of deaths decreased from 20.4% and 19.1% to 1.5%. In 2021, 61.8% of those infected were vaccinated (at least 2x); in 2022, 86.2% of residents had been vaccinated twice, 84% of whom had already had a booster vaccination. Hospitalization and death rates were significantly higher among the unvaccinated than the vaccinated throughout all years (unvaccinated 21.5% and 18.0%; vaccinated 9.8% and 5.5%; KW test p=0.000). However, this difference was no longer significant under the prevalence of the Omicron variant in 2022 (unvaccinated 8.3% and 0%; p=0.561; vaccinated 7.4% and 1.7%; p=0.604). From 2020 to 2022, 400 employees were documented as infected, with 25 having second infections in 2022. Only one employee showed a second infection in 2021 following the first in 2020. Three employees were hospitalized; no deaths occurred. Discussion and conclusion: Severe COVID-19 courses occurred with the Wuhan Wild type in 2020, with a high death rate among nursing-home residents. In contrast, during the waves in 2022 with the relatively mildly pathogenic Omicron variant, many infections but few severe courses and deaths were observed among the now mostly vaccinated and boostered nursing-home residents. Given the high immunity of the population and the low pathogenicity of the circulating virus - even in nursing-home residents - protective measures in nursing homes that restrict people's right to self-determination and quality of life no longer seem justified. Instead, the general hygiene rules and the recommendations of the KRINKO (German Commission for Hospital Hygiene and Infection Prevention) on infection prevention should be followed, and the recommendations of the STIKO (German Standing Commission on Vaccination) on vaccination not only against SARS-CoV-2 but also against influenza and pneumococci should be observed.

[Children and COVID-19-Data from mandatory reporting and results of contact person testing in daycare centers and schools in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, August-December 2020]. / Kinder und COVID-19: Kontaktpersonen-Surveillance in Frankfurter Kitas und Schulen (August bis Dezember 2020).

BACKGROUND: In face of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the question that children are also drivers of this pandemic and that groups, classes, or the entire facility should be closed when severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) occurs in schools or daycare centers is always implied. These questions were investigated using the mandatory reporting data in Frankfurt am Main and the extensive testing of contact persons (CP) in schools and daycare centers after the occurrence of an index case. METHOD: The reporting data were taken from SurvStat. The index cases from daycare centers and schools were isolated and the CPs were offered PCR testing for SARS-CoV­2 on a voluntary basis, regardless of whether symptoms suggestive of SARS-CoV­2 had occurred or not. Deep nasal/pharyngeal swabs were collected by paramedics on behalf of the public health department of the city of Frankfurt am Main, Germany, and tested according to established standards at two accredited institutes. RESULTS: From March to 31 December 2020, 22,715 COVID-19 cases were reported in Frankfurt, including 1588 (7.6%) SARS-CoV­2 detections in children 14 years and younger. Thus, approximately half as many SARS-CoV­2 detections were reported in children up to 14 years of age than would have corresponded to their proportion in the population. In autumn 2020, the increase in incidence in children over the weeks followed the increase in incidence in the general population, the age-related incidence of children remained below the incidence in the general population.From week 35 to week 52, index cases were reported from 143 daycare centers and 75 schools. As a result, 7915 CPs were tested. In daycare centers, SARS-CoV­2 was detected in 4.5% of adult CPs and 2.5% of child CPs and in schools SARS-CoV­2 was detected in 0.9% of adult CPs and 2.5% of student CPs tested. On average, less than 1 CP tested positive per index case. The rate of positive findings increased with increasing incidence in the overall population. No major outbreak occurred. DISCUSSION: Regarding the level and timing of age-related incidences among children in Frankfurt am Main, there was no evidence that children were the drivers of the pandemic. Only a small percentage of the examined CPs in schools and daycare centers tested positive for SARS-CoV­2. In the absence of evidence of intense transmission in the facilities, CP attendance can/should continue under hygiene conditions and there is no need to close entire groups, classes, or even facilities.

Management of patients with multidrug-resistant organisms in rehabilitation facilities. Results of a survey in the Rhine-Main region, Germany, 2019.

Introduction: Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) are a problem in medical facilities, including rehabilitation facilities in Germany. The national recommendations of the Commission for Hospital Hygiene and Infection Prevention (KRINKO) for prevention of and dealing with patients affected by MDRO are obligatory in rehabilitation facilities. A survey on the management of patients with MDRO in rehabilitation facilities in the Rhine-Main area is presented below. Materials and methods: The questions from a recently published survey in 45 rehabilitation facilities in 26 European countries (Doherty et al., 2019) were largely adopted unchanged: the type, size, and organization of the facility, availability of guidelines on MDRO, screening and (estimated) prevalence of MDRO, as well as special hygiene measures or restrictions for patients with MDRO. Results: 22 of the 43 institutions contacted participated (58%). All facilities had specific recommendations on how to deal with MDRO and more than 95% had adequate hygiene staff. The facilities encompassed 4,369 beds, with 3,909 (89%) of them in single-bed rooms, and only a few offered 3-bed rooms. About 20% of patients in general rehabilitation and 100% in early neurological rehabilitation are screened on admission. Six (27%) facilities refused to accept patients with MDRO. 40% of the facilities treated these patients in their own room and/or in a separate area. 27% of the facilities prohibited eating in the dining room and participating in hydrotherapy. Only 6 (27%) of the rehabilitation centers indicated that patients with MDRO are allowed to participate in full rehabilitation programs. Discussion: In accordance with the results of Doherty et al. (2019), there were many restrictions for rehabilitation patients with MDRO, indicating considerable need for improvement. Necessary hygiene recommendations to avoid the transmission of MDRO must not lead to rejection of inpatient rehabilitation or to less intensive rehabilitation.

Antibiotic consumption surveillance in rehabilitation facilities - a new task according to § 23 of the German Infection Protection Act. Data from rehabilitation facilities in the Rhine-Main area, 2016-2018.

Background: Multidrug-resistant pathogens are a major health problem in many countries. In Germany, in accordance with the German Antibiotic Resistance Strategy (DART), the surveillance of antibiotic consumption in acute care hospitals and rehabilitation facilities was made mandatory by the Infection Protection Act in 2011 and 2017. Whereas comparable reference data for acute care hospitals are available, such data is lacking for rehabilitation facilities. Therefore, the Rhine-Main network on MDRO (Multi Drug Resistant Organisms) has offered to evaluate the antibiotic consumption of the network's rehabilitation facilities. Antimicrobial consumption (if possible already given as daily defined doses, DDD) and patient days from 2016-2018 were requested. Materials and methods: By October 31, 2019, nine clinics, including a facility for early neurological rehabilitation, reported their consumption of antibiotics (mostly already as DDD) and patient days from 2016-2018. The information from the clinics was entered in an Excel table and the DDD calculated if necessary. In order to compare the facilities, the DDD/100 patient days (pd) were calculated for the individual active substances. Results: Antibiotic consumption in general rehabilitation facilities decreased slightly from 4.8 DDD/100 pd to 4.4 DDD/100 pd from 2016 to 2018. In early neurological rehabilitation, antibiotic consumption increased from 10.2 DDD/100 pd to 13.1 DDD/100 pd in the same period. Among the most commonly used antibiotics, cefuroxime came first, followed by ciprofloxacin and amoxicillin in third place. Discussion: To our knowledge, this is the first antimicrobial consumption data from rehabilitation facilities in Germany. Antibiotic consumption in general rehabilitation facilities is less than 10% of the consumption in normal/regular wards of acute care clinics, and the consumption in neurological early rehabilitation was approximately 10% of the consumption in intensive care wards within acute care clinics. Reserve or broad-spectrum antibiotics were rarely or not used at all in the rehabilitation facilities. Despite this overall positive situation, antibiotic stewardship should also be introduced in rehabilitation facilities, possibly with the support of the regional MDRO networks.