Comparative analysis of sampling and detection methods for fungal contamination on common healthcare environment surface materials.

We evaluated sampling and detection methods for fungal contamination on healthcare surface materials, comparing the efficacy of foam sponges, flocked swabs, and Replicate Organism Detection And Counting (RODAC) plates alongside culture-based quantification and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Findings indicate that sponge sampling and qPCR detection performed best, suggesting a foundation for future studies aiming to surveillance practices for fungi.

Reducing Clostridioides difficile Infections in a Medical Intensive Care Unit: A Multimodal Quality Improvement Initiative.

BACKGROUND: Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) infection causes significant morbidity for hospitalized patients. A large medical intensive care unit had an increase in C. diff infection rates. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this project was to reduce the C. diff polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test positivity rate and the rate of C. diff PCR tests ordered. Rates were compared between preintervention (July 2017 to December 2019) and postintervention (January 2021 to December 2022) timeframes. METHODS: Unit leadership led a robust quality improvement project, including use of quality improvement tools such as A3, Gemba walks, and plan-do-study-act cycles. Interventions were tailored to the barriers identified, including standardization of in-room supply carts; use of single-packaged oral care kits; new enteric precautions signage; education to staff, providers, and visitors; scripting for patients and visitors; and use of a C. diff testing algorithm. Statistical process control charts were used to assess for improvements. RESULTS: The average rate of C. diff PCR test positivity decreased from 34.9 PCR positive tests per 10 000 patient days to 12.3 in the postintervention period, a 66% reduction. The average rate of PCR tests ordered was 28 per 1000 patient days in the preintervention period; this decreased 44% to 15.7 in the postintervention period. DISCUSSION: We found clinically significant improvements in the rate of C. diff infection and PCR tests ordered as a result of implementing tailored interventions in a large medical intensive care unit. Other units should consider using robust quality improvement methods and tools to conduct similar initiatives to reduce patient harm and improve care and outcomes.

Healthcare Provider N95 Respirator Contamination Worn Behind Face Shields With SARS-CoV-2 During Routine Clinical Care of Patients With COVID-19.

N95 respirator contamination with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) during clinical care of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 is poorly understood. We performed a prospective observational study on healthcare provider's (HCP's) N95 respirators' and face shields' SARS-CoV-2 contamination during aerosol-generating procedures on SARS-CoV-2-positive patients housed in a COVID-19-specific unit. Medical masks worn on top of HCP's N95 respirators, and under face shields, during study aerosol-generating procedures were used as surrogates to detect contamination to avoid waste. Thirty-three HCPs were studied, and a total of 33 mask and 27 face shields were sampled. Masks were cut into 9 pieces and face shields were sampled twice, front and back, to determine locality of contamination; however, no positive samples were identified using standard polymerase chain reaction techniques with a CT value up to 40. All 9 mask piece samples were then pooled, as were face shield samples, using centrifugal concentration with polyethersulfone membranes. Once pooled and concentrated, overall, 9 (15%) samples were positive via real-time polymerase chain reaction: 5 from masks (15.2%) and 4 from face shields (14.8%).

Comparative epidemiology of hospital-onset bloodstream infections (HOBSIs) and central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) across a three-hospital health system.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the comparative epidemiology of hospital-onset bloodstream infection (HOBSI) and central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI). DESIGN AND SETTING: Retrospective observational study of HOBSI and CLABSI across a three-hospital healthcare system from 01/01/2017 to 12/31/2021. METHODS: HOBSIs were identified as any non-commensal positive blood culture event on or after hospital day 3. CLABSIs were identified based on National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) criteria. We performed a time-series analysis to assess comparative temporal trends among HOBSI and CLABSI incidence. Using univariable and multivariable regression analyses, we compared demographics, risk factors, and outcomes between non-CLABSI HOBSI and CLABSI, as HOBSI and CLABSI are not exclusive entities. RESULTS: HOBSI incidence increased over the study period (IRR 1.006 HOBSI/1,000 patient days; 95% CI 1.001-1.012; P = .03), while no change in CLABSI incidence was observed (IRR .997 CLABSIs/1,000 central line days, 95% CI .992-1.002, P = .22). Differing demographic, microbiologic, and risk factor profiles were observed between CLABSIs and non-CLABSI HOBSIs. Multivariable analysis found lower odds of mortality among patients with CLABSIs when adjusted for covariates that approximate severity of illness (OR .27; 95% CI .11-.64; P < .01). CONCLUSIONS: HOBSI incidence increased over the study period without a concurrent increase in CLABSI in our study population. Furthermore, risk factor and outcome profiles varied between CLABSI and non-CLABSI HOBSI, which suggest that these metrics differ in important ways worth considering if HOBSI is adopted as a quality metric.

Identification of carbapenem-resistant organism (CRO) contamination of in-room sinks in intensive care units in a new hospital bed tower.

BACKGROUND: The origins and timing of inpatient room sink contamination with carbapenem-resistant organisms (CROs) are poorly understood. METHODS: We performed a prospective observational study to describe the timing, rate, and frequency of CRO contamination of in-room handwashing sinks in 2 intensive care units (ICU) in a newly constructed hospital bed tower. Study units, A and B, were opened to patient care in succession. The patients in unit A were moved to a new unit in the same bed tower, unit B. Each unit was similarly designed with 26 rooms and in-room sinks. Microbiological samples were taken every 4 weeks from 3 locations from each study sink: the top of the bowl, the drain cover, and the p-trap. The primary outcome was sink conversion events (SCEs), defined as CRO contamination of a sink in which CRO had not previously been detected. RESULTS: Sink samples were obtained 22 times from September 2020 to June 2022, giving 1,638 total environmental cultures. In total, 2,814 patients were admitted to study units while sink sampling occurred. We observed 35 SCEs (73%) overall; 9 sinks (41%) in unit A became contaminated with CRO by month 10, and all 26 sinks became contaminated in unit B by month 7. Overall, 299 CRO isolates were recovered; the most common species were Enterobacter cloacae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. CONCLUSION: CRO contamination of sinks in 2 newly constructed ICUs was rapid and cumulative. Our findings support in-room sinks as reservoirs of CRO and emphasize the need for prevention strategies to mitigate contamination of hands and surfaces from CRO-colonized sinks.

Implementation of a diagnostic stewardship intervention to improve blood-culture utilization in 2 surgical ICUs: Time for a blood-culture change.

OBJECTIVE: We compared the number of blood-culture events before and after the introduction of a blood-culture algorithm and provider feedback. Secondary objectives were the comparison of blood-culture positivity and negative safety signals before and after the intervention. DESIGN: Prospective cohort design. SETTING: Two surgical intensive care units (ICUs): general and trauma surgery and cardiothoracic surgery. PATIENTS: Patients aged ≥18 years and admitted to the ICU at the time of the blood-culture event. METHODS: We used an interrupted time series to compare rates of blood-culture events (ie, blood-culture events per 1,000 patient days) before and after the algorithm implementation with weekly provider feedback. RESULTS: The blood-culture event rate decreased from 100 to 55 blood-culture events per 1,000 patient days in the general surgery and trauma ICU (72% reduction; incidence rate ratio [IRR], 0.38; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.32-0.46; P < .01) and from 102 to 77 blood-culture events per 1,000 patient days in the cardiothoracic surgery ICU (55% reduction; IRR, 0.45; 95% CI, 0.39-0.52; P < .01). We did not observe any differences in average monthly antibiotic days of therapy, mortality, or readmissions between the pre- and postintervention periods. CONCLUSIONS: We implemented a blood-culture algorithm with data feedback in 2 surgical ICUs, and we observed significant decreases in the rates of blood-culture events without an increase in negative safety signals, including ICU length of stay, mortality, antibiotic use, or readmissions.

A cluster of three extrapulmonary Mycobacterium abscessus infections linked to well-maintained water-based heater-cooler devices.

BACKGROUND: Various water-based heater-cooler devices (HCDs) have been implicated in nontuberculous mycobacteria outbreaks. Ongoing rigorous surveillance for healthcare-associated M. abscessus (HA-Mab) put in place following a prior institutional outbreak of M. abscessus alerted investigators to a cluster of 3 extrapulmonary M. abscessus infections among patients who had undergone cardiothoracic surgery. METHODS: Investigators convened a multidisciplinary team and launched a comprehensive investigation to identify potential sources of M. abscessus in the healthcare setting. Adherence to tap water avoidance protocols during patient care and HCD cleaning, disinfection, and maintenance practices were reviewed. Relevant environmental samples were obtained. Patient and environmental M. abscessus isolates were compared using multilocus-sequence typing and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Smoke testing was performed to evaluate the potential for aerosol generation and dispersion during HCD use. The entire HCD fleet was replaced to mitigate continued transmission. RESULTS: Clinical presentations of case patients and epidemiologic data supported intraoperative acquisition. M. abscessus was isolated from HCDs used on patients and molecular comparison with patient isolates demonstrated clonality. Smoke testing simulated aerosolization of M. abscessus from HCDs during device operation. Because the HCD fleet was replaced, no additional extrapulmonary HA-Mab infections due to the unique clone identified in this cluster have been detected. CONCLUSIONS: Despite adhering to HCD cleaning and disinfection strategies beyond manufacturer instructions for use, HCDs became colonized with and ultimately transmitted M. abscessus to 3 patients. Design modifications to better contain aerosols or filter exhaust during device operation are needed to prevent NTM transmission events from water-based HCDs.

An Analysis of Outcomes Following a Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infections (CLABSI) Reduction Quality Improvement Project in a Tertiary Care Center.

Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infections (CLABSI) continue to be a significant complication for hospitalized patients. Hospitals have used various strategies to reduce CLABSI events due to the significant complications and associated costs. In this QI analysis, we examined the impact of a CLABSI reduction quality improvement project within a single ICU at a tertiary care medical center. Absolute CLABSI counts were compared between this ICU and other health system ICUs that did not implement the bundle. A sustained reduction in absolute CLABSI counts to or near zero was observed over 17 months after implementation. ICUs not performing the interventions during this time consistently reported ≥ 2 CLABSI per month. Further analysis is needed to assess causality and the generalizability of bundle components to other ICUs. These findings may provide other health systems with additional strategies to prevent CLABSI and provide consistent, evidence-based supportive care to critically ill patients.

Implementation of flash glucose monitoring in four pediatric diabetes clinics: controlled before and after study to produce real-world evidence of patient benefit.

AIMS: To assess the real-world evidence for flash glucose monitoring (Abbott FreeStyle Libre) for children with type 1 diabetes in terms of glucose control, secondary healthcare resources and costs. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: We conducted a controlled before and after study (approximately 12 months before and after) using routinely collected health record data on children who start using flash monitors and a control population of children with self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG). Our population-based sample of eligible individuals using flash monitoring (n=114) and controls (n=80) aged between 4 and 18 years was drawn from four paediatric diabetes clinics (secondary care) in the South West England. Outcome measures included: glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), frequency of BG tests; frequency of sensor scans; time in recommended glucose range; short-term complications (hypoglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis and related illness resulting in investigation) and secondary care costs. RESULTS: After adjustment for age, time since diagnosis, deprivation and the test modality (point of care or laboratory), the mean HbA1c reading for controls was 61.2 (mmol/mol) for the period before and 63.9 after. For individuals using flash monitoring, the adjusted mean HbA1c reading was 64.6 for the period before implementation and 63.8 after. Rates of short-term complications were low across all groups in the study. Whereas the 'after' flash monitoring group had substantially higher incremental costs (+£703 vs the flash monitoring 'before' comparison and +£841 vs contemporaneous SMBG controls), these cost differences were driven by primary care prescribing (sensor costs). CONCLUSIONS: There was some indication that flash monitoring might help young people improve the control of their diabetes but for our sample, the difference between finger-prick testing and flash monitoring was not clinically significant (HbA1c improvement <5 mmol/mol). Given the pace of technological change within diabetes, research efforts should now facilitate the real-time analysis of long-term routine data on flash and continuous glucose monitors.

Disinfection efficacy of Oxivir TB wipe residue on severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

We assessed Oxivir Tb wipe disinfectant residue in a controlled laboratory setting to evaluate low environmental contamination of SARS-CoV-2. Frequency of viral RNA detection was not statistically different between intervention and control arms on day 3 (P=0.14). Environmental contamination viability is low; residual disinfectant did not significantly contribute to low contamination.

Changes in medication safety indicators in England throughout the covid-19 pandemic using OpenSAFELY: population based, retrospective cohort study of 57 million patients using federated analytics.

Objective: To implement complex, PINCER (pharmacist led information technology intervention) prescribing indicators, on a national scale with general practice data to describe the impact of the covid-19 pandemic on safe prescribing. Design: Population based, retrospective cohort study using federated analytics. Setting: Electronic general practice health record data from 56.8 million NHS patients by use of the OpenSAFELY platform, with the approval of the National Health Service (NHS) England. Participants: NHS patients (aged 18-120 years) who were alive and registered at a general practice that used TPP or EMIS computer systems and were recorded as at risk of at least one potentially hazardous PINCER indicator. Main outcome measure: Between 1 September 2019 and 1 September 2021, monthly trends and between practice variation for compliance with 13 PINCER indicators, as calculated on the first of every month, were reported. Prescriptions that do not adhere to these indicators are potentially hazardous and can cause gastrointestinal bleeds; are cautioned against in specific conditions (specifically heart failure, asthma, and chronic renal failure); or require blood test monitoring. The percentage for each indicator is formed of a numerator of patients deemed to be at risk of a potentially hazardous prescribing event and the denominator is of patients for which assessment of the indicator is clinically meaningful. Higher indicator percentages represent potentially poorer performance on medication safety. Results: The PINCER indicators were successfully implemented across general practice data for 56.8 million patient records from 6367 practices in OpenSAFELY. Hazardous prescribing remained largely unchanged during the covid-19 pandemic, with no evidence of increases in indicators of harm as captured by the PINCER indicators. The percentage of patients at risk of potentially hazardous prescribing, as defined by each PINCER indicator, at mean quarter 1 (Q1) 2020 (representing before the pandemic) ranged from 1.11% (age ≥65 years and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to 36.20% (amiodarone and no thyroid function test), while Q1 2021 (representing after the pandemic) percentages ranged from 0.75% (age ≥65 years and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to 39.23% (amiodarone and no thyroid function test). Transient delays occurred in blood test monitoring for some medications, particularly angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (where blood monitoring worsened from a mean of 5.16% in Q1 2020 to 12.14% in Q1 2021, and began to recover in June 2021). All indicators substantially recovered by September 2021. We identified 1 813 058 patients (3.1%) at risk of at least one potentially hazardous prescribing event. Conclusion: NHS data from general practices can be analysed at national scale to generate insights into service delivery. Potentially hazardous prescribing was largely unaffected by the covid-19 pandemic in primary care health records in England.

Using the COM-B model to identify barriers to and facilitators of evidence-based nurse urine-culture practices.

Our surveys of nurses modeled after the Capability, Opportunity, and Motivation Model of Behavior (COM-B model) revealed that opportunity and motivation factors heavily influence urine-culture practices (behavior), in addition to knowledge (capability). Understanding these barriers is a critical step towards implementing targeted interventions to improving urine-culture practices.

Disparities in central line-associated bloodstream infection and catheter-associated urinary tract infection rates: An exploratory analysis.

This retrospective review of 4-year surveillance data revealed a higher central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) rate in non-Hispanic Black patients and higher catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) rates in Asian and non-Hispanic Black patients compared with White patients despite similar catheter utilization between the groups.

Using clinical decision support to improve urine testing and antibiotic utilization.

OBJECTIVE: Urine cultures collected from catheterized patients have a high likelihood of false-positive results due to colonization. We examined the impact of a clinical decision support (CDS) tool that includes catheter information on test utilization and patient-level outcomes. METHODS: This before-and-after intervention study was conducted at 3 hospitals in North Carolina. In March 2021, a CDS tool was incorporated into urine-culture order entry in the electronic health record, providing education about indications for culture and suggesting catheter removal or exchange prior to specimen collection for catheters present >7 days. We used an interrupted time-series analysis with Poisson regression to evaluate the impact of CDS implementation on utilization of urinalyses and urine cultures, antibiotic use, and other outcomes during the pre- and postintervention periods. RESULTS: The CDS tool was prompted in 38,361 instances of urine cultures ordered in all patients, including 2,133 catheterized patients during the postintervention study period. There was significant decrease in urine culture orders (1.4% decrease per month; P < .001) and antibiotic use for UTI indications (2.3% decrease per month; P = .006), but there was no significant decline in CAUTI rates in the postintervention period. Clinicians opted for urinary catheter removal in 183 (8.5%) instances. Evaluation of the safety reporting system revealed no apparent increase in safety events related to catheter removal or reinsertion. CONCLUSION: CDS tools can aid in optimizing urine culture collection practices and can serve as a reminder for removal or exchange of long-term indwelling urinary catheters at the time of urine-culture collection.

Surgical site infection trends in community hospitals from 2013 to 2018.

OBJECTIVE: Sparse recent data are available on the epidemiology of surgical site infections (SSIs) in community hospitals. Our objective was to provide updated epidemiology data on complex SSIs in community hospitals and to characterize trends of SSI prevalence rates over time. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: SSI data were collected from patients undergoing 26 commonly performed surgical procedures at 32 community hospitals in the southeastern United States from 2013 to 2018. SSI prevalence rates were calculated for each year and were stratified by procedure and causative pathogen. RESULTS: Over the 6-year study period, 3,561 complex (deep incisional or organ-space) SSIs occurred following 669,467 total surgeries (prevalence rate, 0.53 infections per 100 procedures). The overall complex SSI prevalence rate did not change significantly during the study period: 0.58 of 100 procedures in 2013 versus 0.53 of 100 procedures in 2018 (prevalence rate ratio [PRR], 0.84; 95% CI, 0.66-1.08; P = .16). Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) complex SSIs (n = 480, 13.5%) were more common than complex SSIs caused by methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA; n = 363, 10.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The complex SSI rate did not decrease in our cohort of community hospitals from 2013 to 2018, which is a change from prior comparisons. The reason for this stagnation is unclear. Additional research is needed to determine the proportion of or remaining SSIs that are preventable and what measures would be effective to further reduce SSI rates.

Impact of alcohol-based hand-rub disinfection on bacterial bioburden on stethoscopes in a real-world clinical setting.

In this randomized study, use of alcohol-based hand-rub disinfection significantly reduced bacterial bioburden of stethoscopes in routine clinical use. Prior cleaning of stethoscopes on the study day did not affect baseline contamination rates, which suggests that the efficacy of alcohol disinfection is short-lived and may need to be repeated between patients.

The impact of a comprehensive coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection prevention bundle on non-COVID-19 hospital-acquired respiratory viral infection (HA-RVI) rates.

After implementing a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection prevention bundle, the incidence rate ratio (IRR) of non-severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (non-SARS-CoV-2) hospital-acquired respiratory viral infection (HA-RVI) was significantly lower than the IRR from the pre-COVID-19 period (IRR, 0.322; 95% CI, 0.266-0.393; P < .01). However, HA-RVIs incidence rates mirrored community RVI trends, suggesting that hospital interventions alone did not significantly affect HA-RVI incidence.

Colon surgical-site infections and the impact of "present at the time of surgery (PATOS)" in a large network of community hospitals.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the epidemiology of complex colon surgical procedures (COLO), stratified by present at time of surgery (PATOS) surgical-site infections (SSIs) and non-PATOS SSIs and their impact on the epidemiology of colon-surgery SSIs. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. METHODS: SSI data were prospectively collected from patients undergoing colon surgical procedures (COLOs) as defined by the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) at 34 community hospitals in the southeastern United States from January 2015 to June 2019. Logistic regression models identified specific characteristics of complex COLO SSIs, complex non-PATOS COLO SSIs, and complex PATOS COLO SSIs. RESULTS: Over the 4.5-year study period, we identified 720 complex COLO SSIs following 28,188 COLO surgeries (prevalence rate, 2.55 per 100 procedures). Overall, 544 complex COLO SSIs (76%) were complex non-PATOS COLO SSIs (prevalence rate [PR], 1.93 per 100 procedures) and 176 (24%) complex PATOS COLO SSIs (PR, 0.62 per 100 procedures). Age >75 years and operation duration in the >75th percentile were independently associated with non-PATOS SSIs but not PATOS SSIs. Conversely, emergency surgery and hospital volume for COLO procedures were independently associated with PATOS SSIs but not non-PATOS SSIs. The proportion of polymicrobial SSIs was significantly higher for non-PATOS SSIs compared with PATOS SSIs. CONCLUSIONS: Complex PATOS COLO SSIs have distinct features from complex non-PATOS COLO SSIs. Removal of PATOS COLO SSIs from public reporting allows more accurate comparisons among hospitals that perform different case mixes of colon surgeries.

Enhancement of infection prevention case review process to optimize learning from defects.

Hospitals continue to struggle with preventable healthcare-associated infections. Whereas the focus is generally on proactive prevention processes, performing retrospective case reviews of infections can identify opportunities for quality improvement and maximize learning from defects. This brief article provides practical information for structuring the case review process using readily available health system platforms. Using a structured approach for case reviews can help identify trends and opportunities for improvement.