The impact of central line insertion bundle on central line-associated bloodstream infection.

BACKGROUND: Knowledge about the impact of each central line insertion bundle on central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) is limited. METHODS: A quality-improvement intervention, including education, central venous catheter (CVC) insertion bundle, process and outcome surveillance, have been introduced since March 2013. Outcome surveillances, including CLABSI per 1,000 catheter-days, CLABSI per 1,000 inpatient-days, and catheter utilization rates (days of catheter use divided by total inpatient-days), were measured. As a baseline measurement for a comparison, we retrospectively collected data from March 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012. RESULTS: During this 10-month period, there were a total of 687 CVC insertions, and 627 (91.2%) insertions were performed by intensivists. The rate of CLABSI significantly declined from 1.65 per 1000 catheter-day during the pre-intervention period to 0.65 per 1000 catheter-day post-intervention period (P=0.039). CLABSI more likely developed in subjects in which a maximal sterile barrier was not used compared with subjects in which it was used (P=0.03). Moreover, CVC inserted by non-intensivists were more likely to become infected than CVC inserted by intensivists (P=0.010). CONCLUSIONS: This multidisciplinary infection control intervention, including a central line insertion care bundle, can effectively reduce the rate of CLABSI. The impact of different care bundle varies, and a maximal sterile barrier precaution during catheter insertion is an essential component of the care line insertion bundle.

Emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria in patients with Fournier gangrene.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to investigate the bacteriology and associated patterns of antibiotic resistance Fournier gangrene. METHODS: Patients with Fournier's gangrene from 2008 to 2012 were identified from the computerized database in a medical center in southern Taiwan. The medical records of all patients with Fournier's gangrene were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: There were 61 microorganisms, including 60 bacteria and one Candida spp, isolated from clinical wound specimens from 32 patients. The most common isolates obtained were Streptococcus spp. (n=12), Peptoniphilus spp. (n=8), Staphylococcus aureus (n=7), Escherichia coli (n=7), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (n=7). Among 21 strains of gram-negative bacilli, five (23.8%) were resistant to fluoroquinolones, and three isolates were resistant to ceftriaxone. Two E. coli strains produced extended-spectrum beta-lactamase. Four of the seven S. aureus isolates were methicillin-resistant. Among 15 anaerobic isolates, nine (60%) were resistant to penicillin, and eight (53.3%) were resistant to clindamycin. Four (26.7%) isolates were resistant to metronidazole. The only independent risk factor associated with mortality was inappropriate initial antibiotic treatment (p=0.021). CONCLUSION: Antibiotic-resistant bacteria are emerging in the clinical setting of Fournier gangrene. Clinicians should use broad-spectrum antibiotics initially to cover possible antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Epidemiology and prognostic factors of candidemia in elderly patients.

AIM: The present retrospective study was carried out to investigate the epidemiological characteristics and the prognostic factors of candidemia among elderly patients. METHODS: From 2009 to 2012, elderly patients with candidemia were identified at the Chi Mei medical center, a 900-bed regional hospital in southern Taiwan, and their medical records retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: During the 4-year period, a total of 175 episodes of candidemia among elderly patients were identified. The patients ranged in age from 65 to 98 years (mean 76.4 years) and the mean (±standard deviation) Charlson Comorbidity Index score was 7.6 (±2.7). Cancer was the most common underlying disease (n = 127, 72.6%), followed by diabetes mellitus (n = 69, 39.4%). Candida albicans (n = 96, 54.9%) was the most common pathogen, followed by C. tropicalis (n = 39, 22.3%), C. parapsilosis (n = 24, 13.7%), C. glabrata (n = 22, 12.6%), C. guilliermondii (n = 2, 1.1%) and Candida species (n = 3, 1.7%). The ratio of C. albicans causing candidemia was significantly higher in young-old than old-old patients (64.1% vs 47.4%, P = 0.027). The overall in-hospital mortality was 50.3%. Multivariate analysis showed that the in-hospital mortality was only significantly associated with jaundice (P = 0.004), no use of antifungal agent (P = 0.021) and intensive care unit admission (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Candidemia can develop in elderly patients, especially patients with cancer or other risk factors. C. albicans is the most common Candida species causing candidemia among elderly patients, followed by C. tropicalis. The mortality of candidemia among elderly patients remains high.

Critical care nurses' knowledge of measures to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia.

We queried critical care nurses at a hospital about their level of knowledge of interventions designed to prevent ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). The mean score was 7.87 ± 1.36 (65.6%) among 133 questionnaires. Multivariate analysis revealed that intensive care unit (ICU) license (P = .03) and ranking of registered nurses (RNs) (P = .041) were significantly associated with higher knowledge level (≥8 correct answers of 12 items) of respondents. This surveillance study revealed that non-ICU-licensed nurses and junior RNs lack the knowledge necessary to prevent VAP in critical care settings.

Factors related to compliance among critical care nurses with performing oral care protocols for mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care unit.

Oral care is an important component of the ventilator bundle; however, few studies have investigated the factors related to compliance with performing oral care among critical care nurses. In this observational study of 759 oral care opportunities performed by 133 critical care nurses, we found that the overall oral care compliance rate was 83.3%. Multivariate analysis revealed that nurses' age, academic degree, intensive care unit license, and location were independent predictors of performing oral care for patients in the intensive care unit.

Clinical manifestations and prognostic factors of central line-associated candidemia.

From 2009-2012, a total of 281 episodes of central line-associated candidemia were identified, and the overall incidence was 2.05 episodes per 1,000 hospital admissions. More than half of the patients were classified as older adults, with an age ≥65 years. Cancer was the most common underlying disease (n = 231, 82.2%). Twenty patients had polycandidal candidemia, and 94 had concomitant bacteremia. The overall in-hospital mortality rate was 50.9%, and a multivariable analysis showed that this rate was only significantly associated with a Charlson comorbidity index score >5, jaundice, no antifungal agent use, and use of mechanical ventilators.

Clinical manifestations of bacteremia caused by Aeromonas species in southern Taiwan.

AIM: This study is conducted to investigate the clinical characteristics of patients with bacteremia caused by Aeromonas species. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients with bacteremia caused by Aeromonas species during the period 2009 to 2013 were identified from a computerized database of a regional hospital in southern Taiwan. The medical records of these patients were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: A total of 91 patients with bacteremia due to Aeromonas species were identified. In addition to 16 (17.6%) primary bacteremia, the most common source of secondary infection is peritonitis (n = 27, 29.7%), followed by biliary tract infection (n = 18, 19.8%), and SSTI (n = 12, 13.2%), pneumonia (n = 9, 9.9%), catheter-related bloodstream infection (n =  5, 5.5%), and genitourinary tract infection (n = 4, 4.4%). A. hydrophila (n = 35, 38.5%) was the most common pathogen, followed by A. veronii biovar sobria (n = 31, 34.1%), A. caviae (n = 14, 15.4%), and A. veronii biovar veronii (n = 9, 9.9%). Forty-three (47.3%) patients were classified as healthcare-associated infections (HCAI) causes by Aeromonas species, and patients with HCAI were more likely to have cancer, and receive immunosuppressant than patients with community-acquired bacteremia. The overall outcomes, including rate of ICU admission, acute respiratory failure, and mortality were 33.3%, 28.6%, and 23.1%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that the in-hospital day mortality was significantly associated only with underlying cancer (P <.001), and initial shock (P <.001). CONCLUSIONS: Aeromonas species should be considered one of the causative pathogens of healthcare-associated bacteremia, especially in immunocompromised patients. In addition, it can be associated with high fatality. Cancer and initial shock were the poor prognostic factors.

Epidemiology and prognostic factors of candidemia in cancer patients.

AIM: The study of candidemia in cancer patients has been limited. This retrospective study aims to investigate the epidemiologic characteristics and prognostic factors of candidemia among cancer patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From 2009 to 2012, cancer patients with candidemia were identified at a hospital in Taiwan. The medical records of all patients with bloodstream infections due to Candida species were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: During the four-year period, a total of 242 episodes of candidemia were identified among cancer patients. Half of these patients were classified as elderly (≥65 years old), and more than 95% of the candidemia episodes were classified as healthcare-associated infections. Among the 242 cancer patients with candidemia, head and neck cancer was the most common, followed by gastrointestinal tract and lung cancer. Additionally, most of the patients had variable underlying conditions, such as the presence of CVC (99%) or prior exposure to broad-spectrum antibiotics (93%) and were receiving an immunosuppressant (86%). Overall, C. albicans (n = 132, 54.5%) was the most common pathogen, followed by C. tropicalis (n = 52, 21.5%), C. parapsilosis (n = 38, 15.7%), and C. glabrata (n = 29, 12.0%). Seventeen patients had polycandidal candidemia, and 77 patients had concomitant bacteremia. Approximately one-third of the patients required admission to the intensive care unit (ICU) or mechanical ventilation, and the overall in-hospital mortality was 50.8%. Multivariable analysis showed that the in-hospital mortality was significantly associated with only the non-use of antifungal agents and acute respiratory failure (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Candidemia can develop in patients with both solid cancer and hematological malignancy, especially for patients with underlying conditions. Overall, the associated morbidity and mortality due to Candidemia remain high. It was also determined that the non-use of antifungal agents and acute respiratory failure conditions were associated with in-hospital mortality.

The impact of inadequate terminal disinfection on an outbreak of imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in an intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: This study was conducted to investigate an outbreak caused by imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (IRAB) in a medical intensive care unit (ICU) in a regional hospital. METHODS: In response to an IRAB outbreak from October 2012 to February 2013, we developed several infection control measures, including an extensive review process of environmental cleaning and disinfection, and used molecular methods to identify each clinical and environmental IRAB isolate. RESULTS: During this five-month period, 22 patients were colonized with IRAB and 18 patients had IRAB infections. The in-hospital mortality rate was significantly higher among patients with infections rather than colonizations (44.4% vs 9.1%, p = 0.028). Additionally, nine environmental specimens, including five specimens collected after terminal disinfection, were positive for IRAB. 12 environmental isolates and 28 of 36 available clinical isolates belonged to one unique pulsotype A, which was confirmed by molecular methods. We found the concentration of disinfectant, 0.08% sodium hypochlorite, was inadequate. After correcting the environmental cleansing methods, the surveillance study showed no further IRAB isolates on the control panel surfaces of the medical equipment or in patients in the ICU. Additionally, an in vitro study of IRAB immersed in different concentrations of sodium hypochlorite showed that 0.5% sodium hypochlorite eradicates IRAB after 30 seconds of inoculation, but 0.08% sodium hypochlorite only reduces the bacterial load. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the importance of the preparation of disinfectants to adequately achieve environmental disinfection in the control of IRAB outbreaks in the ICU.