Fluid retention in endoscopes: A real-world study on drying effectiveness.

BACKGROUND: Outbreaks linked to inadequate endoscope drying have infected numerous patients, and current standards and guidelines recommend at least 10 minutes of forced air for drying channels. This study evaluated a new forced-air drying system (FADS) for endoscopes. METHODS: Drying was assessed using droplet detection cards; visual inspection of air/water connectors, suction connectors, and distal ends; and borescope examinations of endoscope interiors. Assessments were performed after automated endoscope reprocessor (AER) alcohol flush and air purge cycles and after 10-minute FADS cycles. RESULTS: Researchers evaluated drying during encounters with 22 gastroscopes and 20 colonoscopes. After default AER alcohol and air purge cycles, 100% (42/42) of endoscopes were still wet. Substantial fluid emerged from distal ends during the first 15 seconds of the FADS cycle, and droplets also emerged from air/water and suction connectors. Following FADS cycle completion, 100% (42/42) were dry, with no retained fluid detected by any of the assessment methods. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple endoscope ports and channels remained wet after AER cycles intended to aid in drying but were dry after the FADS cycle. This study reinforced the need to evaluate the effectiveness of current drying practices and illustrated the use of practical tools in a real-world setting.

Effect of Sowing Date and Environment on Phenology, Growth and Yield of Lentil (Lens culinaris Medikus.) Genotypes.

Lentil, an important pulse crop in Australia, is sown soon after the onset of autumn rains and grows mainly under rainfed conditions. This study examined lentil phenological development, growth and grain yield under different sowing dates and environments in New South Wales (NSW). Eight lentil varieties were phenotyped over two years and four sowing times in southern NSW (Leeton, Wagga Wagga and Yanco (one year)) and central western NSW (Trangie). Time of sowing affected important agronomic traits, with a delay in sowing decreasing time to flowering and podding, biomass accumulation, plant height and position of bottom pod. Sowing earlier or later than optimum decreased grain yield. Yield was mainly determined by the number of pods and seeds per plant, with minimal impact from seed weight. Overall, yields were higher in favorable environments such Leeton experiment which received more water compared to the other sites which received less water. Averaged across sowing dates, the slower maturing PBA Greenfield was lower yielding whilst fast maturing varieties such as PBA Bolt and PBA Blitz yielded higher. PBA Jumbo2 is less sensitive to environmental interaction and thus broadly adapted to the diverse environments. Optimum sowing time was identified as the end of April to mid-May.

Outbreak of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in hospitalized hemodialysis patients: An epidemiologic and genomic investigation.

We performed an epidemiological investigation and genome sequencing of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to define the source and scope of an outbreak in a cluster of hospitalized patients. Lack of appropriate respiratory hygiene led to SARS-CoV-2 transmission to patients and healthcare workers during a single hemodialysis session, highlighting the importance of infection prevention precautions.

Process for disinfection of N95 respirators during COVID-19 utilizing sterile processing department: A single center acute care hospital.

During the COVID-19 crisis, disposable N-95 filtering face piece respirators became a critical supply in many health care institutions. Infection preventionists nationwide struggled with ensuring their facilities had personal protective equipment available while utilizing crisis capacity strategies. Many facilities began using US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and US Food and Drug Administration guidance to disinfect and reprocess N95 respirators for extended use. N95 respirators are collected for all clinical units on a scheduled basis by the sterile processing department (SPD) in individually labeled bins. Bins are checked into SPD and logged into electronic system to track mask volumes by unit. Masks are inspected by SPD team members, packaged in sterile peel packs on the decontamination side and sent to the clean side of the department. Masks are then reprocessed in the appropriate equipment based on the US Food and Drug Administration Emergency Use Authorization guidelines. The facility was able to provide a consistent method of N95 reprocessing throughout the facility. Utilizing an interdisciplinary team to include the operating room, infection preventionist, SPD, and nursing leadership to troubleshoot and identify barriers on a routine basis was key to making the program a success for the many months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sowing Date Affects the Timing and Duration of Key Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Growth Phases.

Chickpea is the main legume rotation crop within farming systems in northern New South Wales (NSW), Australia, and is grown mainly under rainfed conditions. Recent expansion of chickpea growing areas in southern and central western NSW expose them to abiotic stresses; however, knowledge about how these stresses affect overall crop development is limited. This study aimed to examine the influence of sowing time on the timing and duration of key chickpea phenological growth phases in southern and central western environments of NSW. Experiments were conducted over two years in southern NSW (Leeton, Wagga Wagga and Yanco (one year)) and central western NSW (Trangie) to identify phenology responses. Climatic, phenology and experimental site data was recorded, and the duration of growth phases and growing degree days calculated. Early sowing (mid-April) generally delayed flowering, extending the crop's vegetative period, and the progressive delay in sowing resulted in shorter vegetative and podding growth phases. All genotypes showed photoperiod sensitivity, and the mean daily temperature at sowing influenced time to emergence and to some extent crop establishment. This study concludes that environmental factors such as temperature, moisture availability and day length are the main drivers of phenological development in chickpea.

Implementing an electronic hand hygiene monitoring system: Lessons learned from community hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Measuring and providing feedback about hand hygiene (HH) compliance is a complicated process. Electronic HH monitoring systems have been proposed as a possible solution; however, there is little information available about how to successfully implement and maintain these systems for maximum benefit in community hospitals. METHODS: An electronic HH monitoring system was implemented in 3 community hospitals by teams at each facility with support from the system vendor. Compliance rates were measured by the electronic monitoring system. The implementation challenges, solutions, and drivers of success were monitored within each facility. RESULTS: The electronic HH monitoring systems tracked on average more than 220,000 compliant HH events per facility per month, with an average monthly compliance rate >85%. The sharing of best practices between facilities was valuable in addressing challenges encountered during implementation and maintaining a high rate of use. DISCUSSION: Drivers of success included a collaborative environment, leadership commitment, using data to drive improvement, consistent and constant messaging, staff empowerment, and patient involvement. CONCLUSIONS: Realizing the full benefit of investments in electronic HH monitoring systems requires careful consideration of implementation strategies, planning for ongoing support and maintenance, and presenting data in a meaningful way to empower and inspire staff.