Using the Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program model for sustained reduction in hospital infections.

BACKGROUND: Prompted by the high number of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), our institution joined the national On the CUSP: Stop BSI initiative. We not only report the significant impact that the Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program (CUSP) had in reducing CLABSI, but also report catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in 2 intensive care units (ICUs). METHODS: At our community-based academic health care system, 2 ICUs implemented CUSP tools and developed local interventions to reduce CLABSI and other safety problems. We measured CLABSI, CAUTI, and VAP during baseline, the CUSP period, and a post-CUSP period. RESULTS: CLABSIs decreased from 3.9 per 1,000 catheter days at baseline to 1.2 during the CUSP period to 0.6 during the post-CUSP period (rate ratio, 0.16; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.07-0.35). CAUTIs decreased from 2.4 per 1,000 patient days to 1.2 during the post-CUSP period (rate ratio, 0.4; 95% CI, 0.24-0.65). VAP rate decreased from 2.7 per 1,000 ventilator days to 1.6 during the CUSP and post-CUSP periods (rate ratio, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.30-1.10). Device utilization decreased significantly in both ICUs. CONCLUSIONS: Implementation of CUSP was associated with significant decreases in CLABSI, CAUTI, and VAP. The CUSP model, allowing for implementation of evidence-based practices and engagement of frontline staff, creates sustainable improvements that reach far beyond the initial targeted problem.

Driving forces of vancomycin-resistant E. faecium and E. faecalis blood-stream infections in children.

BACKGROUND: Rates of invasive vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) in the USA remains on the rise. Efforts to control vancomycin use and nosocomial transmission have had limited success in halting the spread of this pathogen. The role of antibiotic exposure remains a topic of controversy. We evaluated the association between emergence of VRE-blood-stream infections (BSI), aggregate and individual-patient vancomycin- exposure, and clonal transmission of VRE at an academic pediatric tertiary care hospital. METHODS: E. faecium and E. faecalis isolates recovered from blood specimens from hospitalized children from 2003-2010 were retrieved from the microbiology database. Aggregate vancomycin use and individual-patient vancomycin exposure 6 months preceding each event of bacteremia were recorded. Pulse-field electrophoresis was performed on selected VRE isolates. RESULTS: Of 151 episodes of E. faecium and E. faecalis BSI among hospitalized children <18 years of age, 9% (14) were due to VRE. Of these, 5 (36%) were due to nosocomial transmission. Aggregate (r .19, P = 0.3) and individual-patient vancomycin-exposure (X (2) = .26; P = .87) were not associated with VRE-BSI. On bivariate analysis, OR for developing VRE-BSI among patients infected with clonal isolates was 36 (P < .0001). Infection control interventions, rather than antimicrobial stewardship interventions to decrease vancomycin use, proved to be effective in reducing the rates of VRE-BSI. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, VRE-BSI was associated with nosocomial transmission and was independent of aggregate and individual-patient vancomycin-exposure. Molecular epidemiology is a crucial tool to differentiate the role of nosocomial transmission and antibiotic exposure in the emergence of invasive VRE infections among hospitalized children.