Infeksjon i operasjonsområdet.

BACKGROUND: All Norwegian hospitals must submit data to the Norwegian Surveillance System for Antibiotic Consumption and Healthcare-Associated Infections (NOIS) regarding surgical site infections following coronary artery bypass graft, caesarean section, hip arthroplasty, cholecystectomy and colonic surgery. The purpose of our study was to identify the proportion of patients undergoing surgery in 2016 who developed a surgical site infection, and the consequences in the form of prolonged postoperative hospitalisation, readmission or revision surgery. MATERIAL AND METHOD: All patients who underwent one of the five surgical procedures registered in NOIS in 2016 were included and followed up for 30 days after the surgery. The criteria set out by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control were used to define infections. RESULTS: From among the 31 401 patients included, a total of 1 225 surgical site infections were recorded. The incidence was highest following colonic surgery (10.9 %) and lowest following total hip arthroplasty (1.8 %). Median postoperative length of hospitalisation was three days for those with no infection, and six days for the 544 patients with a deep infection or an infection in an organ or cavity. The infections resulted in the need for revision surgery in 308 patients and readmission for 323 patients. INTERPRETATION: A total of 3.9 % of patients registered with a surgical procedure included in NOIS developed a surgical site infection. Consequences such as increased hospitalisation time, and more readmissions as well as revision procedures serve to highlight the importance of preventing such infections.

Antibiotic use and infections in nursing homes. / Antibiotikabruk og infeksjoner i sykehjem.

BACKGROUND: Residents in nursing homes have a higher risk of developing infections that require antibiotic treatment than elderly people living at home. Use of antibiotics may cause adverse effects and result in the development of antimicrobial resistance. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Data on healthcare-associated infections and antibiotic use in 540 Norwegian nursing homes were retrieved from the Norwegian Institute of Public Health's point prevalence survey in the spring of 2016. Based on information on drug, dosage and indication, we assessed whether the use of antibiotics for the treatment of UTIs was in accordance with the National Guidelines for the Use of Antibiotics in Primary Care. RESULTS: UTI was the most commonly occurring type of infection, with a prevalence of 2.7 %. Prescription of first-line antibiotics accounted for approximately 60 % of the prescriptions for treatment of this illness. Choice of drug, dosage and microbiological testing when treating lower UTIs was not always in accordance with the national guidelines. The study showed widespread use of methenamine in Norwegian nursing homes. INTERPRETATION: The survey indicates that compliance with the national guidelines when treating lower UTIs could be improved with regard to the choice of drug, dosage and microbiological testing. Norwegian nursing home doctors should also consider whether their use of methenamine is in accordance with national and international recommendations.

Broad-spectrum antibiotics in Norwegian hospitals. / Bredspektrede antibiotika i norske sykehus.

BACKGROUND One of the objectives in the action plan to reduce antimicrobial resistance in the health services in Norway is to reduce the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics in Norwegian hospitals. This study describes the use of certain broad-spectrum antibiotics mentioned in the action plan in Norwegian hospitals, and assesses prescribing practices in relation to the Norwegian guidelines for antibiotic use in hospitals.MATERIAL AND METHOD Data were analysed from a nationwide non-identifiable point prevalence survey in May 2016 where all systemic use of antibiotics was recorded.RESULTS Broad-spectrum antibiotics accounted for 33 % of all antibiotics prescribed. Altogether 84 % of all broad-spectrum antibiotics were prescribed as treatment, 8 % were for prophylactic use, and 8 % were classified as other/unknown. Lower respiratory tract infections were the most frequent indication for treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics, involving 30 % of all broad-spectrum treatment.INTERPRETATION This point prevalence survey in Norwegian hospitals in spring 2016 indicates a possibility for reducing the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics in the treatment of lower respiratory tract infections and for prophylactic use. Reduction of healthcare-associated infections may also contribute.

Is It Valid to Compare Surgical Site Infections Rates Between Countries? Insights From a Study of English and Norwegian Surveillance Systems.

OBJECTIVE To assess whether differences in surveillance methods or underlying populations significantly influence internationally reported national SSI rates by comparing surveillance data from 2 countries. DESIGN Retrospective cohort. SETTING England and Norway. METHODS We assessed the population under surveillance and surveillance methodology to compare SSI rates in 2 countries (September 2012-January 2015) for 4 surgical categories: coronary artery bypass graft (CABG), colon surgery, cholecystectomy, and hip prosthesis (HPRO). We compared the inpatient SSI incidence using logistic regression, adjusting for the following known risk factors: sex, age, ASA score, wound class, postoperative hospital days, and operation duration. Subsequently, we restricted further analyses to the procedures reported by both countries. RESULTS There were important differences in case definitions for superficial infection, so we restricted our analyses to deep incisional and organ-space SSIs. For CABG, the crude odds ratio (OR) for England compared to Norway was 2.4 (95% CI, 1.4-4.4), whereas adjusted OR (aOR) lost significance (aOR, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.57-2.0). For colon surgery the decreased odds (OR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.56-0.81) remained significant after adjustment (aOR, 0.42; 95% CI, 0.34-0.51). We found no associations for cholecystectomy. For HPRO, the crude OR suggested no significant difference (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 0.72-2.1), whereas the aOR was significantly lower in England (aOR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.25-0.81). Including only the subset of procedures reported by both countries yielded comparable results. CONCLUSION Differences in case definitions and population under surveillance in the English and Norwegian SSI surveillance systems affected SSI estimates, making the comparison of crude rates unreliable. Standardized definitions and adjustment for established risk factors are essential for European comparisons to guide related public health actions. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:162-171.

The quality of denominator data in surgical site infection surveillance versus administrative data in Norway 2005-2010.

BACKGROUND: High quality of surveillance systems for surgical site infections (SSIs) is the key to their usefulness. The Norwegian Surveillance System for Antibiotic Consumption and Healthcare-Associated Infections (NOIS) was introduced by regulation in 2005, and is based largely on automated extraction of data from underlying systems in the hospitals. METHODS: This study investigates the quality of NOIS-SSI's denominator data by evaluating completeness, representativeness and accuracy compared with de-identified administrative data for 2005-2010. Comparisons were made by region, hospital type and size, age and sex for 4 surgical procedures. RESULTS: The completeness of NOIS improved from 29.2 % in 2005 to 79.8 % in 2010. NOIS-SSI became representative over time for most procedures by hospital size and type, but not by region. It was representative by age and sex for all years and procedures. Accuracy was good for all years and procedures by all explanatory variables. CONCLUSIONS: A flexible and incremental implementation strategy has encouraged the development of computer-based surveillance systems in the hospitals which gives good accuracy, but the same strategy has adversely affected the completeness and representativeness of the denominator data. For the purpose of evaluating risk factors and implementing prevention and precautionary measures in the individual hospitals, representativeness seems sufficient, but for benchmarking and/or public reporting it is not good enough.

Surgical site infections after hip arthroplasty in Norway, 2005-2011: influence of duration and intensity of postdischarge surveillance.

BACKGROUND: Most surgical site infections (SSIs) after hip arthroplasty are detected after a patient is discharged from hospital, making postdischarge surveillance (PDS) an important component in surveillance systems. We investigated how long it was necessary to monitor hip arthroplasty patients for SSIs after hospital discharge and if passive PDS through readmissions could replace active PDS by patient questionnaire in detecting SSIs. METHODS: We used data from the Norwegian surveillance system from 2005-2011, which has active 1-year PDS, to investigate proportions of SSIs found at different time intervals after surgery and whether these SSIs could have been detected through passive PDS by investigating the proportion of patients with SSIs that were readmitted. RESULTS: We found that 79% of all SSIs and 82% of deep SSIs were detected after hospital discharge. 95% of deep SSIs were detected within 90 days after surgery. 14% of the deep SSIs were detected beyond 30 days after surgery, and all of these patients were readmitted because of their SSI and thus could have been detected by passive PDS. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that most deep SSIs are detected within 90 days and that passive PDS beyond 30 days after surgery may replace active PDS without reducing sensitivity.

Mortality related to hospital-associated infections in a tertiary hospital; repeated cross-sectional studies between 2004-2011.

BACKGROUND: Hospital-associated infections (HAIs) are reported to increase patient mortality and incur longer hospital stays. Most studies to date have focused on specific groups of hospitalised patients with a rather short follow-up period. In this repeated cross-sectional study, with prospective follow-up of 19,468 hospitalized patients, we aimed to analyze the impact of HAIs on mortality 30 days and 1 year after the prevalence survey date. METHODS: The study was conducted at Haukeland University Hospital, Norway, a large combined emergency and referral teaching hospital, from 2004 to 2011 with follow-up until November 2012. Prevalence of all types of HAIs including urinary tract infections (UTI), lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI), surgical site infections (SSI) and blood stream infections (BSI) were recorded four times every year. Information on the date of birth, admission and discharge from the hospital, number of diagnoses (ICD-10 codes) and patient's mortality was retrieved from the patient administrative data system. The data were analysed by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and by multiple Cox regression analysis, adjusted for year of registration, time period, sex, type of admission, Charlson comorbidity index, surgical operation, use of urinary tract catheter and time from admission to the prevalence survey date. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of HAIs was 8.5 % (95 % CI: 8.1, 8.9). Patients with HAIs had an adjusted hazard ratio (HR) of 1.5 (95 % CI: 1.3, 1.8,) and 1.4 (95 % CI: 1.2, 1.5) for death within 30-days and 1 year, relative to those without HAIs. Subgroup analyses revealed that patients with BSI, LRTI or more than one simultaneous infection had an increased risk of death. CONCLUSIONS: In this long time follow-up study, we found that HAIs have severe consequences for the patients. BSI, LRTI and more than one simultaneous infection were independently and strongly associated with increased mortality 30 days and 1 year after inclusion in the study.

What are the most important infectious diseases among those ≥65 years: a comprehensive analysis on notifiable diseases, Norway, 1993-2011.

BACKGROUND: As the population ages, the burden on the healthcare system might increase and require changed public health priorities. As infections are often more severe at older age, we rank notifiable infectious diseases (ID) and describe trends of ID among the general population aged ≥65 years in Norway in order to inform public health priorities for the aging population. METHODS: We included all eligible cases of the 58 IDs notified between 1993 and 2011 (n = 223,758; 12% ≥65 years) and determined annual notification rates as the number of notified cases divided by the number of inhabitants of the corresponding year. We ranked diseases using their average annual notification rate for 2007-2011. Trends in notification rates from 1993 onwards were determined with a non-parametric test for trend. Using notification rate ratios (NRR), we compared results in those aged ≥65 years to those aged 20-64 years. RESULTS: Invasive pneumococcal disease was the most common ID among the population ≥65 years (notification rate 58/100,000), followed by pertussis (54/100,000) and campylobacteriosis (30/100,000). Most ID notification rates did not change over time, though the notification rate of symptomatic MRSA infections increased from 1/100,000 in 1995 (first year of notification) to 14/100,000 in 2011.Overall, fewer cases were notified among the population ≥65 years compared to 20-64 year olds (NRR = 0.73). The NRR of each of the invasive bacterial diseases and antibiotic-resistant infections were above 1.5 (i.e. more common in ≥65), while the NRR of each food- and waterborne disease, blood-borne disease/STI and (non-invasive) vaccine preventable disease was below 1. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results, we emphasise the importance of focusing public health efforts for those ≥65 years on preventing invasive bacterial infections. This can be achieved by increasing pneumococcal and influenza vaccine uptake, and risk communication including encouraging those aged ≥65 years and their caretakers to seek healthcare at signs of systemic infection. Furthermore, good compliance to infection control measures, screening of the at-risk population, and careful use of antibiotics may prevent further increase in antibiotic-resistant infections.

Use of antibiotics in nursing homes--surveillance with different methods.

BACKGROUND: Residents in nursing homes have a heightened risk of developing infections that should be treated with antibiotics. Inappropriate use of antibiotics may generate drug-related problems and increase resistance. In this study, we describe the use of antibiotics in nursing homes on the basis of prevalence surveys and drug sales statistics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Five nursing homes in Oslo participated in two one-day surveys in 2009. All use of systemic antibiotics was registered. The data collection was undertaken according to a protocol developed by the European Surveillance of Antimicrobial Consumption (ESAC) Network and was part of a European study. The nursing homes' drug sales statistics for systemic antibiotics during 2009, distributed by the number of bed days for each nursing home, were estimated. Information on indications for each antibiotic from the prevalence surveys was collated with sales data to achieve an estimate of how the purchased antibiotics were used. RESULTS: The prevalence surveys showed that more than 8% of the residents received antibiotics. Prophylactic treatment accounted for 33% of the prescriptions. A prevalence of antibiotic use of 10% was estimated from the drug sales statistics. Urinary tract infection was the most frequently registered indication. Pivmecillinam and methenamine were most frequently prescribed and most frequently purchased. Most courses of treatment were prescribed in accordance with the national guidelines for antibiotic use. INTERPRETATION: The results from the drug sales statistics concurred well with the prevalence surveys, and the methods can thus be relevant for purposes of monitoring the use of antibiotics.

Methodology of the Norwegian Surveillance System for Healthcare-Associated Infections: the value of a mandatory system, automated data collection, and active postdischarge surveillance.

BACKGROUND: Surveillance is a primary component of systems for the prevention of health care-associated infections (HCAI). Feedback to surgeons from these surveillance systems may reduce rates of surgical site infections (SSIs) by approximately 20%. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to describe the Norwegian Surveillance System for Healthcare-Associated Infections' (NOIS) module for SSI (NOIS-SSI) and to evaluate the completeness of hospital participation, the effectiveness of automated data collection, and the added value of follow-up after hospital discharge during 2005 to 2009. METHODS: NOIS was introduced by regulation in 2005. Hospital participation is described through adherence to the mandatory requirements and participation in the voluntary aspects of the system. Automated data collection is evaluated through the completeness of reporting of explanatory and administrative variables. The impact of active postdischarge surveillance is assessed through the completeness of follow-up and the proportion of infections detected after hospital discharge. RESULTS: The system has achieved 95% (52/55) hospital participation, with 65% (34/52) of the hospitals submitting more data than the required minimum. The completeness of patient and procedure-related background data is satisfactory, with 23.3% (5,079/21,772) of the records having at least 1 missing value. The completeness of 30-day follow-up of patients is 90.7% (19,747/21,772), and 81% (765/948) of the infections were detected after discharge from hospital. CONCLUSION: Implementation of a new surveillance system for SSI has been successful evaluated through hospital participation, the completeness of reporting of explanatory and administrative variables, and the completeness of postdischarge follow-up. Important success factors are a mandatory system, automated data-harvesting systems in hospitals, and active postdischarge surveillance.

Antibiotics prophylaxis in connection with caesarean section--guidelines at Norwegian maternity departments.

BACKGROUND: The frequency of caesarean sections is increasing. Infection in operation wounds and/or underlying spaces and organs is a common complication. In Veileder I fødselshjelp [Clinical Guidelines in Obstetrics], 2008, antibiotic prophylaxis is recommended in the form of single dose ampicillin or first generation cephalosporins in connection with acute caesarean sections and under special conditions such as prolonged operations. We wanted to find out whether Norwegian maternity departments follow these recommendations. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All head senior consultants at maternity departments that carried out more than one caesarean section in 2008 were invited to take part in a survey of the department's written guidelines for use of antibiotic prophylaxis in connection with caesarean section. The extent to which the guidelines were followed was evaluated using data from the Norwegian Surveillance System for Hospital-Associated Infections (NOIS). RESULTS: 38 of the 42 maternity wards in the investigation had written guidelines for antibiotic prophylaxis. Four of these maternity wards gave prophylaxis in all Caesarean sections, one only on indication, and 33 in acute Caesarean section. The guidelines varied as regards choice of type of antibiotic and time of administration. In the maternity wards with written guidelines recommending use of antibiotic prophylaxis in all Caesarean sections, were practice in accordance with the guidelines. When the guidelines recommended prophylactic use only in acute operations, there was agreement between practice and guidelines in 71 % to 97 % of the patients in the ward. INTERPRETATION: Most Norwegian maternity wards have written guidelines on antibiotic prophylaxis in Caesarean section. The contents of the guidelines varied but are mainly in agreement with current Norwegian recommendations.

National surveillance of surgical site infections after coronary artery bypass grafting in Norway: incidence and risk factors.

OBJECTIVE: A mandatory national surveillance system for surgical site infections (SSIs) following certain surgical procedures, including coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG), was introduced in Norway in 2005. The objectives of this study were to measure national baseline incidence rates of SSIs after CABG, describe the characteristics of the patients and procedures, and identify possible risk factors for infection. METHODS: In 2005-2009, all hospitals that performed CABG were invited to assess all patients undergoing CABG surgery in 3-month periods for SSIs. The hospitals evaluated infection status at discharge and 30 days after surgery by sending post-discharge questionnaires to all patients. We calculated incidence proportions and risk ratios for different risk factors. We applied the National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance (NNIS) risk index to the data. RESULTS: In total, 2440 patients were included. Altogether, 124 sternal and 217 harvest site infections were registered, giving incidence proportions of 5.1% and 8.9%, respectively. Over 95% of infections occurred post-discharge from the hospital. No risk factors were identified. Incidence did not significantly increase with higher NNIS risk index; however, 93% of the patients fell into the same risk category. CONCLUSIONS: We have provided a baseline rate for SSIs after CABG procedures in Norway. The results show the importance of post-hospital discharge follow-up. The NNIS risk index did not adequately stratify CABG patients. We recommend that more potential risk variables should be included in the surveillance, such as the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE), height, weight, and diabetes.

[Infections after Caesarean sections]. / Infeksjoner etter keisersnitt.

BACKGROUND: All hospitals in Norway are required to participate in the Norwegian Surveillance System for Hospital-Acquired Infections (NOIS). Hospitals can choose to have from one to five given surgical procedures under surveillance, caesarean section being one of them. This article describes the incidence of surgical site infections after caesarean sections and identifies causes for such infections. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A national protocol, was developed in accordance with the European protocol (HELICS). Patients undergoing a caesarean section (1 September - 30 November in 2005, 2006 or 2007) in the participating hospitals were included and followed-up for 30 days. Cases were identified in accordance to standardised case definitions. Potential risk factors as well as demographic and clinical data were recorded. RESULTS: 3900 women were included. 290 infections were diagnosed (incidence 8.3 %) among the 3491 women who were followed up after discharge. Only 14 % of the infections were diagnosed during the hospital stay. Age higher than 29 years and contaminated wound class 3 were significantly associated with infection. Among the 54 women with an organ/space or deep infection, 20 were readmitted to the hospital and 11 were reoperated. INTERPRETATION: One of 12 women who undergo a caesarean section develops a surgical site infection. The incidence of infections in Norway is lower than in many other European countries. We recommend hospitals to evaluate the preventive measures implemented at their institution.

Outbreak of haemolytic uraemic syndrome in Norway caused by stx2-positive Escherichia coli O103:H25 traced to cured mutton sausages.

BACKGROUND: On 20-21 February 2006, six cases of diarrhoea-associated haemolytic uraemic syndrome (HUS) were reported by paediatricians to the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. We initiated an investigation to identify the etiologic agent and determine the source of the outbreak in order to implement control measures. METHODS: A case was defined as a child with diarrhoea-associated HUS or any person with an infection with the outbreak strain of E. coli O103 (defined by the multi-locus variable number tandem repeats analysis (MLVA) profile) both with illness onset after January 1st 2006 in Norway. After initial hypotheses-generating interviews, we performed a case-control study with the first fifteen cases and three controls for each case matched by age, sex and municipality. Suspected food items were sampled, and any E. coli O103 strains were typed by MLVA. RESULTS: Between 20 February and 6 April 2006, 17 cases were identified, of which 10 children developed HUS, including one fatal case. After pilot interviews, a matched case-control study was performed indicating an association between a traditional cured sausage (odds ratio 19.4 (95% CI: 2.4-156)) and STEC infection. E. coli O103:H25 identical to the outbreak strain defined by MLVA profile was found in the product and traced back to contaminated mutton. CONCLUSION: We report an outbreak caused by a rare STEC variant (O103:H25, stx2-positive). More than half of the diagnosed patients developed HUS, indicating that the causative organism is particularly virulent. Small ruminants continue to be important reservoirs for human-pathogen STEC. Improved slaughtering hygiene and good manufacturing practices for cured sausage products are needed to minimise the possibility of STEC surviving through the entire sausage production process.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa contamination of mouth swabs during production causing a major outbreak.

BACKGROUND: In 2002 we investigated an outbreak comprising 231 patients in Norway, caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and linked to the use of contaminated mouth swabs called Dent-O-Sept. Here we describe the extent of contamination of the swabs, and identify critical points in the production process that made the contamination possible, in order to prevent future outbreaks. METHODS: Environmental investigation with microbiological examination of production, ingredients and product, molecular typing of bacteria and a system audit of production. RESULTS: Of the 1565 swabs examined from 149 different production batches the outbreak strain of P. aeruginosa was detected in 76 swabs from 12 batches produced in 2001 and 2002. In total more than 250 swabs were contaminated with one or more microbial species. P. aeruginosa was detected from different spots along the production line. The audit revealed serious breeches of production regulations. Health care institutions reported non-proper use of the swabs and weaknesses in their purchasing systems. CONCLUSION: Biofilm formation in the wet part of the production is the most plausible explanation for the continuous contamination of the swabs with P. aeruginosa over a period of at least 30 weeks. When not abiding to production regulations fatal consequences for the users may ensue. For the most vulnerable patient groups only documented quality-controlled, high-level disinfected products and items should be used in the oropharynx.

An outbreak of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection caused by contaminated mouth swabs.

BACKGROUND: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic bacterium that can cause severe infection in susceptible patients. During the winter of 2001-2002, we investigated an outbreak of P. aeruginosa infection among patients in several hospitals across Norway. METHODS: A nationwide outbreak investigation was performed with case finding, questionnaires, and product sampling. All available clinical and environmental P. aeruginosa strains were genotyped. Detailed information was collected from patients with the outbreak strain or with any P. aeruginosa in blood or cerebrospinal fluid samples. To identify risk factors, we conducted a case-control study among patients with P. aeruginosa isolated from blood or cerebrospinal fluid samples during October 2001-December 2002. Case patients were patients infected with the outbreak genotype, and control subjects were patients infected with other genotypes. RESULTS: A total of 231 patients from 24 hospitals were identified as having the outbreak strain; 39 of these patients had positive blood culture results. Seventy-one patients (31%) died while hospitalized; all of the patients who died had severe underlying disease. Among 39 case patients and 159 control subjects, use of the moist mouth swab (adjusted odds ratio, 5.3; 95% confidence interval, 2.0-13.6) and receipt of mechanical ventilation (adjusted odds ratio, 6.4; 95% confidence interval, 2.3-17.2) were associated with infection due to the outbreak strain. Genotypically identical strains of P. aeruginosa were identified in 76 mouth swabs from 12 different batches and from the production line. CONCLUSIONS: Contamination of mouth swabs during production caused the largest-ever outbreak of P. aeruginosa infection in Norway. Susceptible patient groups should use only documented quality-controlled, high-level-disinfected products and items in the oropharynx.