Erratum: Considerations for de-escalating universal masking in healthcare centers - CORRIGENDUM.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1017/ash.2023.200.].

Considerations for de-escalating universal masking in healthcare centers.

Three years after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, better knowledge on the transmission of respiratory viral infections (RVI) including the contribution of asymptomatic infections encouraged most healthcare centers to implement universal masking. The evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 epidemiology and improved immunization of the population call for the infection and prevention control community to revisit the masking strategy in healthcare. In this narrative review, we consider factors for de-escalating universal masking in healthcare centers, addressing compliance with the mask policy, local epidemiology, the level of protection provided by medical face masks, the consequences of absenteeism and presenteeism, as well as logistics, costs, and ecological impact. Most current national and international guidelines for mask use are based on the level of community transmission of SARS-CoV-2. Actions are now required to refine future recommendations, such as establishing a list of the most relevant RVI to consider, implement reliable local RVI surveillance, and define thresholds for activating masking strategies. Considering the epidemiological context (measured via sentinel networks or wastewater analysis), and, if not available, considering a time period (winter season) may guide to three gradual levels of masking: (i) standard and transmission-based precautions and respiratory etiquette, (ii) systematic face mask wearing when in direct contact with patients, and (iii) universal masking. Cost-effectiveness analysis of the different strategies is warranted in the coming years. Masking is just one element to be considered along with other preventive measures such as staff and patient immunization, and efficient ventilation.

Communication and Information Strategies Implemented by Four Hospitals in Brazil, Canada, and France to Deal with COVID-19 Healthcare-Associated Infections.

During the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, COVID-19 healthcare-associated infections (HAI) and risk management became major challenges facing hospitals. Using evidence from a research project, this commentary presents: 1) various communication and information strategies implemented by four hospitals and their staff in Brazil, Canada and France to reduce the risks of COVID-19 HAIs, and how they were perceived by hospital staff; 2) the flaws in communication in the hospitals; and 3) a proposed agenda for research on and action to improve institutional communications for future pandemics. By analyzing "top-down" strategies at the organizational level and spontaneous strategies initiated by and between professionals, this study shows that during the first waves of the pandemic, reliable information and clear communication about guidelines and health protocols' changes can help alleviate fears among staff and avoid misapplication of protocols, thereby reducing infection risks. There was a lack of a "bottom-up" communication channel, while, when making decisions, it is crucial to listen to and fully take into account staff's voices, experiences, and feelings. More balanced communication between hospital administrators and staff could strengthen team cohesion and lead to better enforcement of protocols, which in turn will reduce the risk of contamination, alleviate the potential impacts on staff health, and improve the quality of care provided to patients.

Interprofessional exchanges during COVID-19 at the Bichat Claude-Bernard Hospital: insights for research / Échanges interprofessionnels en temps de COVID-19 à l'hôpital Bichat Claude-Bernard : éclairages pour la recherche

The management of the COVID-19 epidemic has disrupted the organization of healthcare in hospitals. As part of a research project on the resilience of hospitals and their staff to the COVID-19 pandemic (HoSPiCOVID), we have documented their adaptation strategies in five countries (France, Mali, Brazil, Canada, Japan). In France, at the end of the first wave (June 2020), a team of researchers and health professionals from the Bichat Claude-Bernard Hospital organized focus groups to acknowledge these achievements and to share their experiences. One year later, further exchanges were held to discuss and validate the research results. The objective of this short contribution is to describe the insights of these interprofessional exchanges conducted at the Bichat Claude-Bernard Hospital. We show that these exchanges allowed: 1) to create spaces for professionals to speak, 2) to enrich and validate the data collected through a collective acknowledgment of salient aspects related to the experiences of the crisis, and 3) to account for the attitudes, interactions, and power dynamics for these professionals in a crisis management context.

La gestion de l'épidémie de COVID-19 a bouleversé l'organisation des soins dans les hôpitaux. Dans le cadre d'un projet de recherche portant sur la résilience des hôpitaux et des professionnel·le·s de santé face à la pandémie de COVID-19 (HoSPiCOVID), nous avons documenté leurs stratégies d'adaptation dans cinq pays (France, Mali, Brésil, Canada, Japon). En France, dès la fin de la première vague (juin 2020), une équipe de chercheur·se·s et des professionnel·le·s de santé de l'hôpital Bichat Claude-Bernard ont organisé des groupes de discussion pour prendre acte de ces accomplissements et pour partager leurs expériences vécues. Un an plus tard, d'autres échanges ont permis de discuter et de valider les résultats de la recherche. L'objectif de cette contribution courte est de décrire les apports de ces temps d'échanges interprofessionnels conduits à l'hôpital Bichat Claude-Bernard. Nous montrons que ceux-ci ont permis : 1) de créer des espaces de parole pour les professionnel·le·s, 2) d'enrichir et de valider les données collectées au travers d'une (re)connaissance collective d'aspects saillants relatifs aux vécus de la crise, et 3) de rendre compte des attitudes, interactions et rapports de pouvoir de ces professionnel·le·s dans un contexte de gestion de crise.

Social representations of mask wearing in the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Introduction: Although one of the most prominent interventions against COVID-19, face masks seem poorly adopted by the general population. A growing body of literature has found that using face masks has social meaning. This qualitative study assessed the perceptions, representations and practices of mask wearing in the general population. Methods: A qualitative survey by short semi-structured walking interviews was carried out from April to December 2021 in 11 cities in France's Pays de la Loire region. Study locations were selected for their varied geographical, social, and economic characteristics, with urbanized and rural areas. Four domains linked to perceptions of masks and wearing them were explored: (i) evolution in mask wearing, (ii) decision-making methods for wearing and not wearing; (iii) incorporating the mask into way of life; (iv) projecting into the future. Results: A total of 116 people were interviewed. Masks marked a shift from the ordinary world to the pandemic. Overall, interviewees considered masks an obstacle to breathing, communication, and social interactions, leading to establishing strategies circumventing the mask mandate. Poor attention was paid to their medical usefulness as an obligatory clothing accessory. Mask-wearing decisions were driven by social relations, common sense, and vulnerability. The greater the feeling of security (i.e., being with close relatives), the less it was worn or worn properly, with decreased attention to others and their health. Most participants did not remember learning to wear a mask. Some were convinced that mask-wearing could not be learned (experiential knowledge). Institutions (school and work) played a central role by facilitating incorporation of masks into daily life. Conclusions: This study emphasizes the need to reinforce the individual medical values of face masks to prevent COVID-19. Ambitious education and training programmes should be planned to learn how and when to wear masks. Institutions (work and school) may be critical for this purpose.

Adaptation and Response of a Major Parisian Referral Hospital to the COVID-19 Surge: A Qualitative Study.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, few studies have focused on crisis management of multiple services within one hospital over several waves of the pandemic. The purpose of this study was to provide an overview of the COVID-19 crisis response of a Parisian referral hospital which managed the first three COVID cases in France and to analyze its resilience capacities. Between March 2020 and June 2021, we conducted observations, semi-structured interviews, focus groups, and lessons learned workshops. Data analysis was supported by an original framework on health system resilience. Three configurations emerged from the empirical data: 1) reorganization of services and spaces; 2) management of professionals' and patients' contamination risk; and 3) mobilization of human resources and work adaptation. The hospital and its staff mitigated the effects of the pandemic by implementing multiple and varied strategies, which the staff perceived as having positive and/or negative consequences. We observed an unprecedented mobilization of the hospital and its staff to absorb the crisis. Often the mobilization fell on the shoulders of the professionals, adding to their exhaustion. Our study demonstrates the capacity of the hospital and its staff to absorb the COVID-19 shock by putting in place mechanisms for continuous adaptation. More time and insight will be needed to observe whether these strategies and adaptations will be sustainable over the coming months and years and to assess the overall transformative capacities of the hospital.

Impact of Antibiotic Prophylaxis on Surgical Site Infections in Cardiac Surgery.

(1) Background: Cephalosporins (CA) are the first-line antibiotic prophylaxis recommended to prevent surgical site infection (SSI) after cardiac surgery. The combination of vancomycin/gentamicin (VGA) might represent a good alternative, but few studies have evaluated its efficacy in SSI prevention. (2) Methods: A single-centre retrospective study was conducted over a 13-year period in all consecutive adult patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery. Patients were stratified according to the type of antibiotic prophylaxis. CA served as the first-line prophylaxis, and VGA was used as the second-line prophylaxis. The primary endpoint was SSI occurrence at 90 days, which was defined as the need for reoperation due to SSI. (3) Results: In total, 14,960 adult patients treated consecutively from 2006 to 2019 were included in this study, of whom 1774 (12%) received VGA and 540 (3.7%) developed SSI. VGA patients had higher severity with increased 90-day mortality. Nevertheless, the frequency of SSI was similar between CA and VGA patients. However, the microbiological aetiologies were different, with more Gram-negative bacteria noted in the VGA group. (4) Conclusions: VGA seems to be as effective as CA in preventing SSI.

Agreement of respiratory viruses' detection between nasopharyngeal swab and bronchoalveolar lavage in adults admitted for pneumonia: a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the high diagnostic accuracy of the nasopharyngeal swab (including in intensive care unit (ICU) patients). This study aimed to compare nasopharyngeal swab and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) results for non-SARS-CoV-2 viruses in patients with suspected pneumonia. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed in one French academic hospital on consecutive adults from 2012 to 2018 and tested nasopharyngeal swab and BAL within 24 hours by using multiplex PCR. The agreement in pathogen detection between nasopharyngeal swab and BAL was evaluated. RESULTS: Patients were primarily men (n = 178/276, 64.5%), with a median age of 60 years (IQR: 51-68 years). Of the 276 patients, 169 (61%) were admitted to the ICU for acute respiratory distress. We detected at least one respiratory virus in 34.4% of the nasopharyngeal swabs (n = 95/276) and 29.0% of BAL (n = 80/276). Two or more viruses were detected in 2.5% of the nasopharyngeal swabs (n = 7/276) and 2.2% of BAL (n = 6/276). Rhinovirus/enteroviruses were the most frequently detected viral group in 10.2% (n = 29/285) of the nasopharyngeal swabs and 9.5% (n = 27/285) of BAL, followed by influenza A, detected in 5.6% (n = 16/285) of the nasopharyngeal swabs and 4.9% (n = 14/285) of BAL. Overall agreement was 83.7% (n = 231/276 (95% CI [78.7%, 87.7%])) (i.e. same pathogen or pathogen combination was identified in the nasopharyngeal swab and BAL for 231 patients). Rhinovirus/enterovirus (n = 29/231) and respiratory syncytial virus (n = 13/231) had the lowest agreement of 62.1% (n = 18/29 (95% CI [42.4%-78.7%])) and 61.5% (n = 8/13 (95% CI [32.3%-84.9%])), respectively). CONCLUSIONS: There was a good agreement between nasopharyngeal swabs and BAL in detecting respiratory viruses among adult patients with suspected pneumonia. However, these data still encourage BAL in the case of a negative nasopharyngeal swab.

A Healthcare-Associated Infection With Monkeypox Virus of a Healthcare Worker During the 2022 Outbreak.

This article describes a case of healthcare-associated monkeypox infection in France during the 2022 outbreak. A female medical resident accidently pricked herself with a soiled subcutaneous needle used to harvest a vesicle of a patient infected by monkeypox virus and developed 4 days later a unique skin lesion, positive for monkeypox virus.

Effect of oral antimicrobial prophylaxis on surgical site infection after elective colorectal surgery: multicentre, randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether oral antimicrobial prophylaxis as an adjunct to intravenous antibiotic prophylaxis reduces surgical site infections after elective colorectal surgery. DESIGN: Multicentre, randomised, double blind, placebo controlled trial. SETTING: 11 university and non-university hospitals in France between 25 May 2016 and 8 August 2019. PARTICIPANTS: 926 adults scheduled for elective colorectal surgery. INTERVENTION: Patients were randomised to receive either a single 1 g dose of ornidazole (n=463) or placebo (n=463) orally 12 hours before surgery, in addition to intravenous antimicrobial prophylaxis before surgical incision. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The primary outcome was the proportion of patients with surgical site infection within 30 days after surgery. Secondary outcomes included individual types of surgical site infections and major postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo classification grade 3 or higher) within 30 days after surgery. RESULTS: Of the 960 patients who were enrolled, 926 (96%) were included in the analysis. The mean age of participants was 63 years and 554 (60%) were men. Surgical site infection within 30 days after surgery occurred in 60 of 463 patients (13%) in the oral prophylaxis group and 100 of 463 (22%) in the placebo group (absolute difference -8.6%, 95% confidence interval -13.5% to -3.8%; relative risk 0.60, 95% confidence interval 0.45 to 0.80). The proportion of patients with deep infections was 4.8% in the oral prophylaxis group and 8.0% in the placebo group (absolute difference -3.2%, 95% confidence interval -6.4% to -0.1%). The proportion of patients with organ space infections was 5.0% in the oral prophylaxis group and 8.4% in the placebo group (absolute difference -3.4%, -6.7% to -0.2%). Major postoperative complications occurred in 9.1% patients in the oral prophylaxis group and 13.6% in the placebo group (absolute difference -4.5%, -8.6% to -0.5%). CONCLUSION: Among adults undergoing elective colorectal surgery, the addition of a single 1 g dose of ornidazole compared with placebo before surgery significantly reduced surgical site infections. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT02618720.

Cost-effectiveness of strategies to control the spread of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales in hospitals: a modelling study.

BACKGROUND: Spread of resistant bacteria causes severe morbidity and mortality. Stringent control measures can be expensive and disrupt hospital organization. In the present study, we assessed the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of control strategies to prevent the spread of Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) in a general hospital ward (GW). METHODS: A dynamic, stochastic model simulated the transmission of CPE by the hands of healthcare workers (HCWs) and the environment in a hypothetical 25-bed GW. Input parameters were based on published data; we assumed the prevalence at admission of 0.1%. 12 strategies were compared to the baseline (no control) and combined different prevention and control interventions: targeted or universal screening at admission (TS or US), contact precautions (CP), isolation in a single room, dedicated nursing staff (DNS) for carriers and weekly screening of contact patients (WSC). Time horizon was one year. Outcomes were the number of CPE acquisitions, costs, and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER). A hospital perspective was adopted to estimate costs, which included laboratory costs, single room, contact precautions, staff time, i.e. infection control nurse and/or dedicated nursing staff, and lost bed-days due to prolonged hospital stay of identified carriers. The model was calibrated on actual datasets. Sensitivity analyses were performed. RESULTS: The baseline scenario resulted in 0.93 CPE acquisitions/1000 admissions and costs 32,050 €/1000 admissions. All control strategies increased costs and improved the outcome. The efficiency frontier was represented by: (1) TS with DNS at a 17,407 €/avoided CPE case, (2) TS + DNS + WSC at a 30,700 €/avoided CPE case and (3) US + DNS + WSC at 181,472 €/avoided CPE case. Other strategies were dominated. Sensitivity analyses showed that TS + CP might be cost-effective if CPE carriers are identified upon admission or if the cases have a short hospital stay. However, CP were effective only when high level of compliance with hand hygiene was obtained. CONCLUSIONS: Targeted screening at admission combined with DNS for identified CPE carriers with or without weekly screening were the most cost-effective options to limit the spread of CPE. These results support current recommendations from several high-income countries.

SARS-CoV-2 exposures of healthcare workers from primary care, long-term care facilities and hospitals: a nationwide matched case-control study.

OBJECTIVES: This study assessed the roles of various exposures and personal protective equipment (PPE) use on healthcare workers' (HCWs) risk of COVID-19 working in primary care, long-term-care facilities or hospitals. METHODS: We conducted a matched case-control (1:1) study (10 April through 9 July 2021). Cases (HCWs with confirmed COVID-19) and controls (HCWs without any COVID-19-positive test or symptoms) were invited by E-mail to complete an online questionnaire on their exposures and PPE use over the 10-day period preceding inclusion. Risk factors were analysed using multivariable conditional logistic regression. RESULTS: A total of 2076 cases and 2076 matched controls were included. The analysis retained exposure to an infected person outside work (adjusted OR 19.9 (95% CI, 12.4-31.9)), an infected colleague (OR 2.26 (95% CI, 1.53-3.33)) or COVID-19 patients (OR 2.37 (95% CI, 1.66-3.40)), as independent predictors of COVID-19 in HCWs, while partial (OR 0.30 (95% CI, 0.22-0.40)) or complete (OR 0.19 (95% CI, 0.14-0.27)) immunisation was protective. Eye protection (OR 0.57 (95% CI, 0.37-0.87)) and wearing a gown (OR 0.58 (95% CI, 0.34-0.97)) for COVID-19 patient care were protective, while wearing an apron slightly increased the risk of infection (OR 1.47 (95% CI, 1.00-2.18)). Protection of N95 respirators and surgical face masks did not differ. Compared to medical professions, being a nurse (OR 3.79 (95% CI, 2.50-5.76)) or a nurse's aide (OR 9.08 (95% CI, 5.30-15.5)) was associated with COVID-19. Results were consistent across all healthcare settings. DISCUSSION: HCWs were more likely to get COVID-19 in their personal sphere than during occupational activities. Our results suggest that eye protection for HCWs during patient care should be actively promoted.

Economic impact of an outbreak of carbapenemase producing-Enterobacteriaceae in a surgical intensive care unit.

BACKGROUND: A 15-month outbreak of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) occurred in the surgical intensive care unit (SICU) of our institution. We aimed to estimate the financial impact of this outbreak from the perspective of the French public health insurance system. METHODS: The characteristics of the colonised/infected CPE patients and outbreak management according to French national guidelines were prospectively collected. Loss of productivity was assessed in terms of the reduction in total number of admissions (TNA) and discharges and in ICU length of stay (LoS). The additional financial burden associated with this outbreak was estimated by the accounting department of the hospital, including the impact of the extended LoS and restricted admissions. RESULTS: Sixteen CPE patients (19 stays) were hospitalised in the SICU (10/2016-01/2018). The median ICU LoS for the CPE cases was 17 [8-36] days versus 6.5 and 6.1 days in 2016 and 2017, respectively, for the whole SICU population. The total number of lost bed days during the outbreak was 452. The TNA dropped dramatically in 2017 (decrease of 20.6%). The estimated costs were 768,386 EUR for bed days lost; 297,176 EUR and 63,675 EUR for the extended LoS for the CPE cases and the patients on contact precautions, respectively; 34,045 EUR for staff reinforcements; 85,764 EUR for bacteriological screening tests; and 42,857 EUR for antimicrobial treatment. The total financial burden of the outbreak was 1,291,903 EUR. CONCLUSION: Management of a CPE outbreak in the SICU is associated with a huge financial burden for the unit and for the institution.

Simultaneous Hospital Outbreaks of New Delhi Metallo-ß-Lactamase-Producing Enterobacterales Unraveled Using Whole-Genome Sequencing.

Multidrug-resistant Enterobacterales, including carbapenemase producers, are currently spreading in health care facilities and the community. The Bichat Claude Bernard hospital in Paris faced a prolonged NDM-producing Enterobacterales (NDM-CPE) outbreak. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed on all isolated NDM-CPE to evaluate its benefits for outbreak surveillance and comprehension. All NDM-CPE isolates collected during the outbreak period (August 2016 to January 2018) were sequenced using the Illumina NextSeq platform. Gene content and core genomes were compared. Genomics results underwent epidemiological analysis which classified NDM-CPE cases as imported (positive sample during the 48 h after admission), hospital acquired, or uncertain. Over the epidemic period, 61 patients were colonized or infected with 81 distinct NDM-CPE isolates. Klebsiella pneumoniae was the most common species (n = 52, 64%), followed by Escherichia coli (13.5%) and other species (22.5%). In all, 43/52 (83%) K. pneumoniae isolates were clonal (≤18 single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs] except for three isolates) and belonged to ST307. The IncFIIK [K2:A-/B-] plasmid carrying blaNDM-1 present in all ST307 K. pneumoniae isolates was also detected in 18 other NDM-CPE isolates. Additionally, eight clonal ST144 Klebsiella oxytoca (≤18 SNPs) isolates lacking the epidemic plasmid were observed. The WGS analyses confirmed the acquired and imported cases except for two patients and resolved uncertain cases, which all turned out to be hospital acquisitions. WGS coupled with epidemiological analysis unraveled three epidemic phenomena: mainly the spread of a clonal ST307 K. pneumoniae strain and its conjugative plasmid carrying blaNDM-1 but also the unexpected clonal spread of an ST144 K. oxytoca strain. IMPORTANCE Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) can spread and cause outbreaks in health care facilities, resulting in increased lengths of stay and morbidity. Control of outbreaks requires epidemiological surveillance, usually based on microbiological screening and patient follow-up. These data are sometimes insufficient to identify the routes of dissemination. There is therefore a need for more accurate tools such as whole-genome sequencing (WGS), which allows comparison of isolates but also plasmids carrying resistance with a high definition. In this work, we retrospectively sequenced the genomes of all NDM-producing Enterobacterales isolated during a prolonged NDM outbreak in our hospital. We demonstrated the value of combining WGS with epidemiological data that unveiled the multiple mechanisms of dissemination involved in the outbreak and confirmed transmission cases. This work reinforces the potential of WGS in outbreak surveillance and suggests that it could improve outbreak control if used in real time by confirming transmission cases more rapidly.

Rhinoviruses: molecular diversity and clinical characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Rhinoviruses are commonly considered simple "common cold" agents. The link between their molecular epidemiology and patient clinical presentation and outcomes remains unclear in adult populations. MATERIALS/METHODS: All nasopharyngeal or bronchoalveolar lavages were screened using multiplex PCR in 3 Parisian hospitals from January 2018 to September 2018. For all detected rhinoviruses, the VP2/VP4 region was subtyped by sequencing. RESULTS: The study included 178 unique patients who were positive for human rhinovirus (HRV). They were primarily men (56%), with a median age of 62.2 years (IQR: 46.8-71.4), frequently presenting chronic respiratory diseases (56%) and/or immunosuppression (46%). Of these, 63% were admitted for respiratory distress, including 25% for pneumonia; 95 (53%), 27 (15%), and 56 (32%) were positive for HRV-A, -B, and -C, respectively. HRV-B appeared to be more associated with immunosuppressive treatments (58% vs 30% and 36% of patients for HRV-A and -C, respectively, p = 0.038), higher coinfection rates (54% vs 34% and 23%, p = 0.03), and higher intensive care unit (ICU) admission rates (35% vs 17% and 13%, p = 0.048). Conversely, HRV-A was more frequently associated with pneumonia (54% vs 31% and 11% for HRV-B and -C, respectively, p = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights the high proportion of chronic respiratory diseases or immunosuppression among hospitalized patients infected with a rhinovirus. IMPORTANT: Human rhinoviruses (HRVs) are frequently detected in patients hospitalized for respiratory distress. Understanding their molecular differences is crucial to finding target treatments and improving patient outcomes.

Are there reasons behind high Handrub consumption? A French National in-depth qualitative assessment.

BACKGROUND: Hand hygiene (HH) is the most important measure for preventing healthcare-associated infections. A significant correlation between alcohol-based handrub consumption (AHRC) and observed HH compliance rates has been established. In France, publicly reported AHRC displayed a large heterogeneity across healthcare facilities (HCFs). We aimed to describe programmes for promoting HH in the top and medium AHRC scorers and to assess factors and drivers leading to a high AHRC score in a panel of French HCFs. METHODS: We performed a nationwide qualitative comparative case study based on in-depth semi-structured interviews in 16 HCFs with high, 4-year AHRC scores, and a sample of seven university hospitals (UHs) with medium AHRC scores. Infection Prevention and Control Team (IPC) members (n = 62), quality managers/chief executive officers (n = 23) and frontline workers (n = 6) were interviewed, using a grounded theory approach and an iterative thematic approach. RESULTS: Ninety-one interviews were performed. There was a large heterogeneity in IPC structures and objectives, with specific patterns associated with high AHRC that were more organisational than technical. Four areas emerged: (1) strong cohesive team structure with supportive and outcome-oriented work attitude, (2) IPC structure within the organization, (3) active support from the institution, (4) leadership and role model. Among high AHRC scorers, a good core IPC organisation, a proactive and flexible management, a frequent presence in the clinical wards, and working in a constructive safety climate were prominent. CONCLUSION: We highlighted that IPC structure and activity is heterogeneous, with organisational and behavioural characteristics associated with high AHRC score. Beyond technical challenge, our work underlines the importance of strong structure of the IPC and behavioural approaches in implementing key IPC programmes.

Practices and intravascular catheter infection during on- and off-hours in critically ill patients.

BACKGROUND: The potential relationship between intravascular catheter infections with their insertion during weekend or night-time (i.e., off-hours or not regular business hours) remains an open issue. Our primary aim was to describe differences between patients and catheters inserted during on- versus off-hours. Our secondary aim was to investigate whether insertions during off-hours influenced the intravascular catheter infectious risks. METHODS: We performed a post hoc analysis using the databases from four large randomized-controlled trials. Adult patients were recruited in French ICUs as soon as they required central venous catheters or peripheral arterial (AC) catheter insertion. Off-hours started at 6 P.M. until 8:30 A.M. during the week; at weekend, we defined off-hours from 1 P.M. on Saturday to 8.30 A.M. on Monday. We performed multivariable marginal Cox models to estimate the effect of off-hours (versus on-hours) on major catheter-related infections (MCRI) and catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs). RESULTS: We included 7241 patients in 25 different ICUs, and 15,208 catheters, including 7226 and 7982 catheters inserted during off- and on-hours, respectively. Catheters inserted during off-hours were removed after 4 days (IQR 2, 9) in median, whereas catheters inserted during on-hours remained in place for 6 days (IQR 3,10; p < 0.01) in median. Femoral insertion was more frequent during off-hours. Among central venous catheters and after adjusting for well-known risk factors for intravascular catheter infection, we found a similar risk between off- and on-hours for MCRI (HR 0.91, 95% CI 0.61-1.37, p = 0.65) and CRBSI (HR 1.05, 95% CI 0.65-1.68, p = 0.85). Among central venous catheters with a dwell-time > 4 or > 6 days, we found a similar risk for MCRI and CRBSI between off- and on-hours. Similar results were observed for ACs. CONCLUSIONS: Off-hours did not increase the risk of intravascular catheter infections compared to on-hours. Off-hours insertion is not a sufficient reason for early catheter removal, even if femoral route has been selected.

Added value of rapid respiratory syndromic testing at point of care versus central laboratory testing: a controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Virus-associated respiratory infections are in the spotlight with the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 and the expanding use of multiplex PCR (mPCR). The impact of molecular testing as a point-of-care test (POCT) in the emergency department (ED) is still unclear. OBJECTIVES: To compare the impact of a syndromic test performed in the ED as a POCT and in the central laboratory on length of stay (LOS), antibiotic use and single-room assignment. METHODS: From 19 November 2019 to 9 March 2020, adults with acute respiratory illness seeking care in the ED of a large hospital were enrolled, with mPCR performed with a weekly alternation in the ED as a POCT (week A) or in the central laboratory (week B). RESULTS: 474 patients were analysed: 275 during A weeks and 199 during B weeks. Patient characteristics were similar. The hospital LOS (median 7 days during week A versus 7 days during week B, P = 0.29), the proportion of patients with ED-LOS <1 day (63% versus 60%, P = 0.57) and ED antibiotic prescription (59% versus 58%, P = 0.92) were not significantly different. Patients in the POCT arm were more frequently assigned a single room when having a positive PCR for influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and metapneumovirus [52/70 (74%) versus 19/38 (50%) in the central testing arm, P = 0.012]. CONCLUSIONS: Syndromic testing performed in the ED compared with the central laboratory failed to reduce the LOS or antibiotic consumption in patients with acute respiratory illness, but was associated with an increased single-room assignment among patients in whom a significant respiratory pathogen was detected.

The COVID-19 lockdown as an opportunity to change lifestyle and body weight in people with overweight/obesity and diabetes: Results from the national French COVIDIAB cohort.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: To analyze lifestyle habits and weight evolution during the COVID-19 pandemic-associated lockdown, in diabetes and overweight/obesity patients (body mass index (BMI) [25-29.9] and ≥30 kg/m2, respectively). METHODS AND RESULTS: We collected information on participants' characteristics and behavior regarding lifestyle before and during the lockdown, through the CoviDIAB web application, which is available freely for people with diabetes in France. We stratified the cohort according to BMI (≥25 kg/m2vs < 25 kg/m2) and examined the determinants of weight loss (WL), WL > 1 kg vs no-WL) in participants with a BMI ≥25 kg/m2, in both univariate and multivariate analyses. Of the 5280 participants (mean age, 52.5 years; men, 49%; diabetes, 100% by design), 69.5% were overweight or obese (mean BMI, 28.6 kg/m2 (6.1)). During the lockdown, patients often quit or decreased smoking; overweight/obese participants increased alcohol consumption less frequently as compared with normal BMI patients. In addition, overweight/obese patients were more likely to improve other healthy behaviors on a larger scale than patients with normal BMI: increased intake of fruits and vegetables, reduction of snacks intake, and reduction of total dietary intake. WL was observed in 18.9% of people with a BMI ≥25 kg/m2, whereas 28.6% of them gained weight. Lifestyle favorable changes characterized patients with WL. CONCLUSIONS: A significant proportion of overweight/obese patients with diabetes seized the opportunity of lockdown to improve their lifestyle and to lose weight. Identifying those people may help clinicians to personalize practical advice in the case of a recurrent lockdown.