Understanding drivers of influenza-like illness presenteeism within training programs: A survey of trainees and their program directors.

BACKGROUND: Working with influenza-like illness (ILI) is pervasive throughout health care. We assessed knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding ILI presenteeism of both postgraduate trainees and program leaders. METHODS: This survey study was conducted at the Montefiore Medical Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, a large academic center in the Bronx, New York. Internal medicine and subspecialty house staff and program directors completed an anonymous electronic survey between April 23 and June 15, 2018. RESULTS: A total of 197 of 400 (49%) house staff and 23 of 39 (59%) program leaders participated; 107 (54%) trainees and 6 (26%) program leaders self-reported ILI presenteeism in the past 12 months. More than 90% of trainees and program leaders reported that ILI presenteeism places others at risk. Only 9% of program leaders accurately estimated trainee ILI presenteeism prevalence. Both cited "not wanting to burden colleagues" as the top reason for ILI presenteeism. Twenty-six (24%) trainees practiced ILI presenteeism on critical care units. The majority reported that they would provide patient care with upper respiratory symptoms without fever. Most trainees incorrectly answered influenza knowledge questions. CONCLUSIONS: ILI presenteeism prevalence is high within training programs at our medical center. Program leaders can model best practices, enforce nonpunitive sick-leave policies, and ensure infection prevention competencies are met annually.

Two for the price of one: emerging carbapenemases in a returning traveller to New York City.

We report a case of a complex orthopaedic infection in a patient returning to New York City from Bangladesh where he was involved in a serious motor vehicle accident. He developed extensive osteomyelitis with a carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae The isolate was unique due to the coexistence of New Delhi metallo-ß-lactamase-1 and Oxacillinase type-181 carbapenemases, which are relatively uncommon in North America and were presumably acquired in Bangladesh. Herein, we explore challenges associated with management of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae infections, including limited available data on effective antimicrobial therapy. We also highlight the added value of rapid diagnostic technology in guiding clinical management. Ultimately, the patient required both aggressive surgical management and combination therapy with aztreonam and ceftazidime-avibactam for true source control and favourable clinical outcome.

Fungemia caused by Aureobasidium pullulans in a patient with advanced AIDS: a case report and review of the medical literature.

INTRODUCTION: Aureobasidium pullulans is a dematiaceous, yeast-like fungus that is ubiquitous in nature and can colonize human hair and skin. It has been implicated clinically as causing skin and soft tissue infections, meningitis, splenic abscesses and peritonitis. We present, to our knowledge, the second case of isolation of this organism in a patient with AIDS along with a review of the literature on human infection with A. pullulans. CASE PRESENTATION: A 49-year-old man with advanced AIDS and a history of recurrent oesophageal candidiasis was admitted with nausea with vomiting, and odynophagia. He was treated as having a recurrence of oesophageal candidiasis. Given prior Candida albicans isolate susceptibilities and chronic suppression with fluconazole, he was started on micafungin with eventual improvement in his symptoms. A positive blood culture from admission was initially reported to be growing yeast, but four days later the isolate was recognized as a dematiaceous fungus. The final identification of A. pullulans was not available until 1 month after admission. He had completed a 3-week course of micafungin prior to the identification of the isolate, and repeat cultures were negative. CONCLUSION: A. pullulans fungemia is rare but can occur in patients with immune suppression or indwelling catheters. The significance of isolating A. pullulans from a blood culture in terms of whether it is the causative agent of a state of disease often cannot be determined because skin colonization is possible. Further work is needed to clarify the clinical implications of A. pullulans fungemia.

An unusual cause of community-acquired pneumonia.

We present a case of fatal community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) due to Acinetobacter baumannii, which is rarely reported in the northeastern United States. Previously reported cases originate from tropical and subtropical climates, and infection tends to have an aggressive course with a poor outcome. Appropriate antimicrobial therapy is crucial; however, the associated systemic inflammatory response may overwhelm host defenses, especially in patients with certain co-morbidities.

Impact of Stewardship Interventions on Antiretroviral Medication Errors in an Urban Medical Center: A 3-Year, Multiphase Study.

BACKGROUND: There is a high prevalence of HIV infection in Newark, New Jersey, with University Hospital admitting approximately 600 HIV-infected patients per year. Medication errors involving antiretroviral therapy (ART) could significantly affect treatment outcomes. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of various stewardship interventions in reducing the prevalence of prescribing errors involving ART. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of all inpatients receiving ART for HIV treatment during three distinct 6-month intervals over a 3-year period. During the first year, the baseline prevalence of medication errors was determined. During the second year, physician and pharmacist education was provided, and a computerized order entry system with drug information resources and prescribing recommendations was implemented. Prospective audit of ART orders with feedback was conducted in the third year. Analyses and comparisons were made across the three phases of this study. RESULTS: Of the 334 patients with HIV admitted in the first year, 45% had at least one antiretroviral medication error and 38% had uncorrected errors at the time of discharge. After education and computerized order entry, significant reductions in medication error rates were observed compared to baseline rates; 36% of 315 admissions had at least one error and 31% had uncorrected errors at discharge. While the prevalence of antiretroviral errors in year 3 was similar to that of year 2 (37% of 276 admissions), there was a significant decrease in the prevalence of uncorrected errors at discharge (12%) with the use of prospective review and intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Interventions, such as education and guideline development, can aid in reducing ART medication errors, but a committed stewardship program is necessary to elicit the greatest impact.