International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) report of healthcare-associated infections, data summary of 25 countries for 2014-2023, Surgical Site Infections Module.

BACKGROUND: Surgical site infection (SSI) prevalence is higher in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) than in high-income counterparts. This study covers 116 INICC member hospitals in 75 cities across 25 Latin American, Asian, Eastern European, and Middle Eastern countries, including Argentina, Bahrain, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Honduras, India, Kosovo, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mexico, Mongolia, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Poland, Romania, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, Turkey, Venezuela, and Vietnam. METHODS: Prospective cohort multinational surveillance data were collected through the INICC Surveillance Online System. CDC-NHSN definitions were applied for surgical site infections (SSI). Surgical procedures were categorized into 41 types according to the ICD-9 criteria, 9th edition. RESULTS: From 2014 to 2023, we collected data on 1,251 SSIs associated with 56,617 SPs. SSI rates were significantly higher in SPs of INICC compared to CDC-NSHN data, including hip prosthesis (3.68% vs. 0.67%, RR=5.46, 95%CI=3.71-8.03, p<0.0001), knee prosthesis (2.02% vs. 0.58%, RR=3.49, 95%CI=1.87-6.49, p<0.0001), coronary artery bypass graft (4.16% vs. 1.37%, RR=3.03, 95%CI=2.35-3.91, p<0.0001, peripheral vascular bypass (15.69% vs. 2.93%, RR=5.35, 95%CI=2.30-12.48, p<0.0001), abdominal aortic aneurysm repair (8.51% vs. 2.12%, RR=4.02, 95%CI=2.11-7.65, p<0.0001), spinal fusion (6.47% vs. 0.70%, RR=9.27, 95%CI=6.21-13.84, p<0.0001), and laminectomy (2.68% vs. 0.72%, RR=3.75, 95%CI=2.36-5.95, p<0.0001), among others. CONCLUSIONS: Elevated SSI rates in LMICs emphasize the need for effective interventions to alleviate this substantial burden.

Examining the impact of a 9-component bundle and the INICC multidimensional approach on catheter-associated urinary tract infection rates in 32 countries across Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East.

BACKGROUND: Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTIs) frequently occur in the intensive care unit (ICU) and are correlated with a significant burden. METHODS: We implemented a strategy involving a 9-element bundle, education, surveillance of CAUTI rates and clinical outcomes, monitoring compliance with bundle components, feedback of CAUTI rates and performance feedback. This was executed in 299 ICUs across 32 low- and middle-income countries. The dependent variable was CAUTI per 1,000 UC days, assessed at baseline and throughout the intervention, in the second month, third month, 4 to 15 months, 16 to 27 months, and 28 to 39 months. Comparisons were made using a 2-sample t test, and the exposure-outcome relationship was explored using a generalized linear mixed model with a Poisson distribution. RESULTS: Over the course of 978,364 patient days, 150,258 patients utilized 652,053 UC-days. The rates of CAUTI per 1,000 UC days were measured. The rates decreased from 14.89 during the baseline period to 5.51 in the second month (risk ratio [RR] = 0.37; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.34-0.39; P < .001), 3.79 in the third month (RR = 0.25; 95% CI = 0.23-0.28; P < .001), 2.98 in the 4 to 15 months (RR = 0.21; 95% CI = 0.18-0.22; P < .001), 1.86 in the 16 to 27 months (RR = 0.12; 95% CI = 0.11-0.14; P < .001), and 1.71 in the 28 to 39 months (RR = 0.11; 95% CI = 0.09-0.13; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Our intervention, without substantial costs or additional staffing, achieved an 89% reduction in CAUTI incidence in ICUs across 32 countries, demonstrating feasibility in ICUs of low- and middle-income countries.

Not only COVID-19: a systematic review of anti-COVID-19 measures and their effect on healthcare-associated infections.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) burden healthcare globally. Amid the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, intensified infection control measures, such as mask usage and hand hygiene, were implemented. AIM: To assess the efficacy of these measures in preventing HAIs among hospitalized patients. METHODS: Using the PICO framework (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome), the study focused on hospitalized patients and the effectiveness of anti-COVID-19 measures in preventing HAIs. A systematic review of literature published in 2020-2022 was conducted, examining interventions such as mask usage, hand hygiene, and environmental cleaning. FINDINGS: This systematic review analysed 42 studies: two in 2020, 21 in 2021, and 19 in 2022. Most studies were from high-income countries (28). Most studies (30 out of 42) reported a reduction in HAIs after implementing anti-COVID-19 measures. Gastrointestinal infections and respiratory tract infections showed significant reduction, unlike bloodstream infections and urinary tract infections. Some wards, like cardiology and neurology, experienced reduced HAIs, unlike intensive care units and coronary care units. There was an increase in studies reporting no effect of hygiene measures on HAIs in 2022, eventually indicating a shift in effectiveness over time. CONCLUSION: Anti-COVID-19 measures have shown selective efficacy in preventing HAIs. The study emphasizes the need for context-specific strategies and increased focus on regions with limited resources. Continued research is essential to refine infection control practices, especially in high-risk settings.

Gram-Negative ESKAPE Bacteria Surveillance in COVID-19 Pandemic Exposes High-Risk Sequence Types of Acinetobacter baumannii MDR in a Tertiary Care Hospital.

The interruption of bacteriological surveillance due to the COVID-19 pandemic brought serious consequences, such as the collapse of health systems and the possible increase in antimicrobial resistance. Therefore, it is necessary to know the rate of resistance and its associated mechanisms in bacteria causing hospital infections during the pandemic. The aim of this work was to show the phenotypic and molecular characteristics of antimicrobial resistance in ESKAPE bacteria in a Mexican tertiary care hospital in the second and third years of the pandemic. For this purpose, during 2021 and 2022, two hundred unduplicated strains of the ESKAPE group (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Acinetobacter baumannii) were collected from various clinical sources and categorized by resistance according to the CLSI. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) complemented by the Tukey test was performed to search for changes in antimicrobial susceptibility profiles during the study period. Finally, the mechanisms of resistance involved in carbapenem resistance were analyzed, and the search for efflux pumps and high-risk sequence types in A. baumannii was performed by multilocus analysis (MLST). The results showed no changes in K. pneumoniae resistance during the period analyzed. Decreases in quinolone resistance were identified in E. coli (p = 0.039) and P. aeruginosa (p = 0.03). Interestingly, A. baumannii showed increases in resistance to penicillins (p = 0.004), aminoglycosides (p < 0.001, p = 0.027), carbapenems (p = 0.027), and folate inhibitors (p = 0.001). Several genes involved in carbapenem resistance were identified (blaNDM, blaVIM, blaOXA, blaKPC, blaOXA-40, and blaOXA-48) with a predominance of blaOXA-40 and the adeABCRS efflux pump in A. baumannii. Finally, MLST analysis revealed the presence of globally distributed sequence types (ST369 and ST758) related to hospital outbreaks in other parts of the world. The results presented demonstrate that the ESKAPE group has played an important role during the COVID-19 pandemic as nosocomial antibiotic-resistant pathogens and in particular A. baumannii MDR as a potential reservoir of resistance genes. The implications of the increases in antimicrobial resistance in pathogens of the ESKAPE group and mainly in A. baumannii during the COVID-19 pandemic are analyzed and discussed.

International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) report of health care associated infections, data summary of 45 countries for 2015 to 2020, adult and pediatric units, device-associated module.

BACKGROUND: Reporting on the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium study results from 2015 to 2020, conducted in 630 intensive care units across 123 cities in 45 countries spanning Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East. METHODS: Prospective intensive care unit patient data collected via International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium Surveillance Online System. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/National Health Care Safety Network definitions applied for device-associated health care-associated infections (DA-HAI). RESULTS: We gathered data from 204,770 patients, 1,480,620 patient days, 936,976 central line (CL)-days, 637,850 mechanical ventilators (MV)-days, and 1,005,589 urinary catheter (UC)-days. Our results showed 4,270 CL-associated bloodstream infections, 7,635 ventilator-associated pneumonia, and 3,005 UC-associated urinary tract infections. The combined rates of DA-HAIs were 7.28%, and 10.07 DA-HAIs per 1,000 patient days. CL-associated bloodstream infections occurred at 4.55 per 1,000 CL-days, ventilator-associated pneumonias at 11.96 per 1,000 MV-days, and UC-associated urinary tract infections at 2.91 per 1,000 UC days. In terms of resistance, Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed 50.73% resistance to imipenem, 44.99% to ceftazidime, 37.95% to ciprofloxacin, and 34.05% to amikacin. Meanwhile, Klebsiella spp had resistance rates of 48.29% to imipenem, 72.03% to ceftazidime, 61.78% to ciprofloxacin, and 40.32% to amikacin. Coagulase-negative Staphylococci and Staphylococcus aureus displayed oxacillin resistance in 81.33% and 53.83% of cases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The high rates of DA-HAI and bacterial resistance emphasize the ongoing need for continued efforts to control them.

Assessing the impact of a multidimensional approach and an 8-component bundle in reducing incidences of ventilator-associated pneumonia across 35 countries in Latin America, Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe.

BACKGROUND: Ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) occurring in the intensive care unit (ICU) are common, costly, and potentially lethal. METHODS: We implemented a multidimensional approach and an 8-component bundle in 374 ICUs across 35 low and middle-income countries (LMICs) from Latin-America, Asia, Eastern-Europe, and the Middle-East, to reduce VAP rates in ICUs. The VAP rate per 1000 mechanical ventilator (MV)-days was measured at baseline and during intervention at the 2nd month, 3rd month, 4-15 month, 16-27 month, and 28-39 month periods. RESULTS: 174,987 patients, during 1,201,592 patient-days, used 463,592 MV-days. VAP per 1000 MV-days rates decreased from 28.46 at baseline to 17.58 at the 2nd month (RR = 0.61; 95% CI = 0.58-0.65; P < 0.001); 13.97 at the 3rd month (RR = 0.49; 95% CI = 0.46-0.52; P < 0.001); 14.44 at the 4-15 month (RR = 0.51; 95% CI = 0.48-0.53; P < 0.001); 11.40 at the 16-27 month (RR = 0.41; 95% CI = 0.38-0.42; P < 0.001), and to 9.68 at the 28-39 month (RR = 0.34; 95% CI = 0.32-0.36; P < 0.001). The multilevel Poisson regression model showed a continuous significant decrease in incidence rate ratios, reaching 0.39 (p < 0.0001) during the 28th to 39th months after implementation of the intervention. CONCLUSIONS: This intervention resulted in a significant VAP rate reduction by 66% that was maintained throughout the 39-month period.

Molecular and Clinical Features of Heterogeneous Vancomycin-Intermediate Staphylococcus aureus in Tertiary Care Hospitals in South India.

Objectives: This study aimed to detect heterogeneous vancomycin-intermediate Staphylococcus aureus (hVISA) among methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) isolated from healthcare-associated infections and identify staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) types. Methods: This study was conducted from February 2019 to March 2020 and included patients admitted in 4 tertiary care hospitals in Karnataka, India. Isolation and identification of MRSA were done using standard bacteriological methods. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done using Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion; macrolide-lincosamide-streptogramin B phenotypes were identified using the D test. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of vancomycin was determined using agar dilution. hVISA were confirmed by the modified population analysis profile-area under the curve test. SCCmec types and the Panton-Valentine leukocidin (pvl) gene were detected using multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Results: Of 220 MRSA stains, 14 (6.4%) were hVISA. None of the MRSA isolates was vancomycin-intermediate or -resistant and all hVISA were susceptible to linezolid and teicoplanin. The macrolide-streptogramin B phenotype was present in 42.9% of hVISA; 92.9% of the hVISA strains had vancomycin MIC in the range of 1-2 µg/mL. Majority of the hVISA and vancomycin-susceptible MRSA were isolated from patients with skin and soft tissue infections. SCCmec III and IV were present in 50% and 35.7% of hVISA, respectively; 14.3% of the hVISA harboured SCCmec V. Conclusion: The prevalence rate of hVISA among MRSA was 6.4%. Therefore, MRSA strains should be tested for hVISA before starting vancomycin treatment. None of the isolates was vancomycin-intermediate or -resistant and all the hVISA strains were susceptible to linezolid and teicoplanin. The majority of the hVISA were isolated from patients with skin and soft tissue infections and harboured SCCmec III and IV.

Reprocessamento em endoscopia digestiva: contributo para a prevenção da infeção associada aos cuidados de saúde / Reprocessing in digestive endoscopy: a contribution to healthcare-associated infection prevention

O presente relatório surge como a etapa final do Estágio de Natureza Profissional, inserido no Mestrado em Enfermagem Médico-Cirúrgica da Escola Superior de Saúde do Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, que decorreu de 3 de outubro de 2022 a 31 de março de 2023. A elaboração deste relatório visa uma análise crítico-reflexiva das experiências e atividades realizadas, bem como das competências desenvolvidas durante o estágio, que decorreu em dois contextos clínicos: Grupo de Coordenação Local do Programa de Prevenção e Controlo de Infeções e de Resistência aos Antimicrobianos e Unidade de Endoscopia Digestiva, de um hospital central. A realização deste estágio proporcionou a aquisição e o desenvolvimento de competências comuns e específicas do Enfermeiro Especialista em Enfermagem Médico-Cirúrgica. Este relatório tem também como objetivo descrever o desenvolvimento do estudo de investigação intitulado Reprocessamento em Endoscopia Digestiva - contributo para a prevenção da Infeção Associada aos Cuidados de Saúde. Sendo os endoscópios dispositivos reutilizáveis com uma estrutura muito complexa, o reprocessamento destes equipamentos inclui várias etapas, que devem ser rigorosamente cumpridas, de forma a se prevenir a infeção associada à endoscopia e com isso garantir a segurança dos utentes e profissionais envolvidos. Trata-se de um estudo de natureza quantitativa, do tipo exploratório e descritivo, sustentado pela descrição de práticas de 22 profissionais de saúde (13 enfermeiros e 9 assistentes operacionais), no reprocessamento de endoscópios altos e endoscópios baixos, com deteção das principais falhas, principais dificuldades sentidas e estratégias de melhoria apresentadas pelos mesmos. Para a recolha de dados utilizámos a observação estruturada e o inquérito por questionário. Os resultados obtidos evidenciaram que apesar de serem executadas a maioria das etapas de reprocessamento, existem vários desvios das boas práticas, comprometendo a adequada desinfeção dos dispositivos e consequentemente aumentando o risco de transmissão de infeção através dos equipamentos. O espaço físico desadequado ao reprocessamento e os rácios de assistentes operacionais baixos na sala de descontaminação foram os principais aspetos mencionados pelos profissionais como dificultadores do cumprimento das etapas de reprocessamento. A resolução destas situações, foi as principais sugestões de melhoria descritas pelos profissionais como forma de prevenir as infeções associadas ao reprocessamento de endoscópios. Podemos concluir que este estudo contribuiu para a melhoria das práticas associadas ao reprocessamento de endoscópios no respetivo contexto, tendo evidenciado a necessidade de formação teórica e prática, de forma a possibilitar aos profissionais envolvidos a aquisição de conhecimentos e a adoção de práticas seguras, maximizando a prevenção, intervenção e controlo da infeção.

This report emerges as the final stage of the Professional Internship, integrated into the Master's in Medical-Surgical Nursing at the School of Health of the Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo, which took place from 3rd of October, 2022, to 31st of March 2023. The preparation of this report aims for a critical-reflexive analysis of the experiences and activities carried out, as well as the skills developed during the Professional Internship, which took place in two clinical contexts: the Local Coordination Group of the Infection Prevention and Control and Antimicrobial Resistance Program and the Digestive Endoscopy Unit of a central hospital. The completion of this internship provided the acquisition and development of common and specific competencies of a Nurse Specialist in Medical-Surgical Nursing. This report also aims to describe the development of the research study entitled Reprocessing in Digestive Endoscopy - contribution to the prevention of healthcare-associated infection. Since endoscopes are reusable devices with a highly complex structure, the reprocessing of these equipment involves several stages that must be rigorously followed to prevent infection associated with endoscopy and ensure the safety of patients and professionals involved. This is a quantitative, exploratory, and descriptive study, supported by the description of the practices of 22 healthcare professionals (13 nurses and 9 operational assistants) in the reprocessing of high and low endoscopes, with the detection of key failures, main difficulties experienced, and improvement strategies presented by them. To collect data, structured observation and questionnaire surveys were used. The results obtained showed that despite most of the reprocessing steps being carried out, there are several deviations from best practices, compromising the proper disinfection of devices and consequently increasing the risk of infection transmission through the equipment. Inadequate physical space for reprocessing and low operational assistant ratios in the decontamination room were the main aspects mentioned by professionals as hindrances to complying with the reprocessing steps. The resolution of these situations was the primary improvement suggestions described by professionals as a way to prevent infections associated with endoscope reprocessing. In conclusion this study contributed to the improvement of practices associated with the reprocessing of endoscopes in the respective context, having highlighted the need for theoretical and practical training, in order to enable the professionals involved to acquire knowledge and adopt safe practices, maximizing prevention, intervention and control of infection.

Decreasing central line-associated bloodstream infections rates in intensive care units in 30 low- and middle-income countries: An INICC approach.

BACKGROUND: Central line (CL)-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) occurring in the intensive care unit (ICU) are common and associated with a high burden. METHODS: We implemented a multidimensional approach, incorporating an 11-element bundle, education, surveillance of CLABSI rates and clinical outcomes, monitoring compliance with bundle components, feedback of CLABSI rates and clinical outcomes, and performance feedback in 316 ICUs across 30 low- and middle-income countries. Our dependent variables were CLABSI per 1,000-CL-days and in-ICU all-cause mortality rates. These variables were measured at baseline and during the intervention, specifically during the second month, third month, 4 to 16 months, and 17 to 29 months. Comparisons were conducted using a two-sample t test. To explore the exposure-outcome relationship, we used a generalized linear mixed model with a Poisson distribution to model the number of CLABSIs. RESULTS: During 1,837,750 patient-days, 283,087 patients, used 1,218,882 CL-days. CLABSI per 1,000 CL-days rates decreased from 15.34 at the baseline period to 7.97 in the 2nd month (relative risk (RR) = 0.52; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.48-0.56; P < .001), 5.34 in the 3rd month (RR = 0.35; 95% CI = 0.32-0.38; P < .001), and 2.23 in the 17 to 29 months (RR = 0.15; 95% CI = 0.13-0.17; P < .001). In-ICU all-cause mortality rate decreased from 16.17% at baseline to 13.68% (RR = 0.84; P = .0013) at 17 to 29 months. CONCLUSIONS: The implemented approach was effective, and a similar intervention could be applied in other ICUs of low- and middle-income countries to reduce CLABSI and in-ICU all-cause mortality rates.

Epidemiology and characterization of Providencia stuartii isolated from hospitalized patients in southern Brazil: a possible emerging pathogen.

This study aimed to characterize the virulence factors and antimicrobial resistance of Providencia stuartii , an opportunistic pathogen that causes human infections. We examined 45 isolates of P. stuartii both genotypically and phenotypically by studying their adherence to HeLa cells, biofilm formation, cytotoxicity and antimicrobial resistance, and analysed their genomes for putative virulence and resistance genes. This study found that most isolates possessed multiple virulence genes, including fimA, mrkA, fptA, iutA, ireA and hlyA, and were cytotoxic to Vero cells. All the isolates were resistant to amoxicillin plus clavulanic acid, levofloxacin and sulfamethoxazole plus trimethoprim, and most were resistant to ceftriaxone and cefepime. All isolates harboured extended-spectrum beta-lactamase coding genes such as bla CTX-M-2 and 23/45(51.11 %) of them also harboured bla CTX-M-9. The gene KPC-2 (carbapenemase) was detected in 8/45(17.77 %) isolates. This study also found clonality among the isolates, indicating the possible spread of the pathogen among patients at the hospital. These results have significant clinical and epidemiological implications and emphasize the importance of a continued understanding of the virulence and antimicrobial resistance of this pathogen for the prevention and treatment of future infections.

Acinetobacter baumannii Early-Onset Sepsis After Home Delivery Into Toilet Water.

Early-onset sepsis (EOS) is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in newborns, usually caused by pathogens acquired intrapartum. We present the case of a term neonate born by home delivery in the toilet, after an unsupervised pregnancy. He developed a culture-proven early-onset sepsis caused by Acinetobacter baumannii. This was the first case of neonatal sepsis by this pathogen in our unit. The microorganism was susceptible to all antibiotics tested. The neonate was treated empirically with ampicillin and cefotaxime and completed 21 days of directed therapy with meropenem, as meningitis could not be excluded. During the clinical course, the newborn developed severe and persistent thrombocytopenia and neutropenia. In this report, we discuss the etiology behind this clinical presentation. We intend to raise awareness for the consideration of Acinetobacter baumannii as a potential pathogen in EOS, particularly in the presence of adverse birth circumstances.

Case report: Azithromycin-meropenem combination therapy as a low-cost approach to combat PDR gram-negative infections of war wounds in Ukraine.

Antimicrobial resistance recognised as a major global health problem and it poses a significant challenge in conflict zones, such as the Russia-Ukraine war. This case study focuses on a 32-year-old soldier who sustained combat-related injuries, including extensive wound infections caused by multidrug-resistant and pan-resistant bacteria and was successfully treated with azithromycin-meropenem combination therapy. The emergence of pan-resistant bacteria, particularly a pandrug-resistant strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, highlights the severity of the problem and the limited treatment options available. Additionally, the financial burden posed by reserve antibiotics further complicates the management of these infections. The case study demonstrates the effectiveness of including azithromycin-meropenem combination therapy in the treatment regimen, which resulted in improvements in the patient's condition and the eradication of the resistant strains. The findings underscore the need for effective antimicrobial stewardship, infection control measures, and alternative treatment strategies to combat antimicrobial resistance in conflict zones.

Evaluation of the effectiveness of hospital infection prevention and control based on the SMART principle. / 基于SMART原则的医院感染预防与控制效果评价.

OBJECTIVES: Hospital infection not only increases patient suffering and mortality, but also causes huge economic losses. It is urgent to take effective measures to improve the situation of hospital infection and focus on hand hygiene and disinfection. The SMART principle is to follow the principles of specificity, measurability, attainability, relevance, and timeliness when setting goals. This study aims to use the SMART principle in the prevention and control of hospital infection, to take a series of measures on the hospital infection such as hand hygiene, and to evaluate the implementation effect. METHODS: This study is a retrospective study. From January to June 2020, the SMART principle was used to carry out intervention for infection prevention and control in the Xiangya International Medical Department, Central South University, and implement the infection prevention and control quality improvement plan. Using indicator data as targeting measurement standard, we established evaluation indicators for hospital infection prevention and control knowledge awareness and hand hygiene compliance rate as the process monitoring, surgical site infection rate and catheter-related urinary tract infection rate as the result monitoring. The evaluation indicators after intervention (July 2020 to June 2021) were compared with those before intervention (January 2019 to December 2019). RESULTS: Fifty-one medical staff working in the Xiangya International Medical Department were included. There were 12 doctors and 39 nurses, and 6 males and 45 females. The age ranged from 21 to 57 (30.2±7.1) years. After the intervention, the awareness of hospital infection prevention and control knowledge and hand hygiene compliance rate of medical staff were significantly higher than those before the intervention (both P<0.05), but there were no significant differences in surgical site infection rate and catheter-related urinary tract infection rate before and after intervention (both P>0.05). After the intervention, the awareness of hospital infection prevention and control knowledge and hand hygiene compliance rate of medical staff in the internal and surgical wards were higher than those before the intervention (all P<0.05). The awareness of hospital infection prevention and control knowledge of medical staff in surgical wards was low but improved significantly. The compliance rate of hand hygiene of medical staff in internal wards was high and improved significantly. After the intervention, the awareness of hospital infection prevention and control knowledge and hand hygiene compliance rate of male and female medical staff were higher than those before the intervention (all P<0.05), both of which were significantly higher in males than in females. After the intervention, the awareness of hospital infection prevention and control knowledge and hand hygiene compliance rate for medical staff aged less than 30 years old and 30 to 40 years old were higher than those before the intervention (all P<0.05). Medical staff aged 30 to 40 years had a low awareness of hospital infection prevention and control knowledge, but both indicators improved most significantly. After the intervention, the awareness of hospital infection prevention and control knowledge of doctors and nurses was increased (both P<0.05). The awareness of doctors improved more significantly, and the hand hygiene compliance rate of nurses improved (P<0.05). After the intervention, the awareness of hospital infection prevention and control knowledge and hand hygiene compliance rate of medical staff with primary and intermediate professional titles were higher than those before the intervention (all P<0.05), and the improvement was more significant for medical staff with intermediate professional titles. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the SMART principle management method, the implementation of quality improvement plans combined with various domestic and international evaluation standards for infection prevention and control can effectively improve the awareness of infection control knowledge and hand hygiene compliance rate of medical staff, strengthen the prevention and control of hospital infection, and further ensure the safety of patients.

Recommendations on specific precautions for companions/ visitors of patients hospitalized: characteristics and barriers to implementation / Recomendações sobre precauções específicas para acompanhantes/visitantes de pacientes hospitalizados: características e barreiras para implementação / Recomendaciones sobre precauciones específicas para acompanhantes/visitantes de pacientes hospitalizados: características y barreras para su implementación

Justification and Objectives: despite the importance of companions/visitors for hospitalized patients under specific precautions, it is noted that risks of exposure and dissemination of microorganisms in health services by this population are still incipient in the literature. Thus, the objective was to characterize the current recommendations on specific precautions for companions and visitors of hospitalized patients and to analyze the barriers to their implementation from infection preventionists' perspective. Methods: a descriptive and exploratory study with a quantitative approach, with 89 infection preventionists, between March and June 2020. Data collected by electronic questionnaire, "snowball" sampling and analyzed according to frequency of responses. Results: hand hygiene was the most recommended recommendation (>95.0%). As for non-conformities, staying in the room without attire (78.6%), going to other rooms (53.9%) and keeping doors open as aerosol precaution (51.7%) stood out. Regarding the strategies adopted to guide companions/visitors, there was a predominance of individual verbal guidance (92.4%). The main barrier cited was the lack of institutional policy (56.2%). Conclusion: there was no uniformity in the recommendations, and non-conformities and barriers were listed. The importance of specific prevention guidelines for this public and effective educational strategies for its implementation are highlighted.(AU)

Justificativa e Objetivos: apesar da importância dos acompanhantes/visitantes para pacientes hospitalizados em precauções específicas, nota-se que os riscos de exposição e disseminação de microrganismos nos serviços de saúde por essa população ainda são incipientes na literatura. Dessa forma, objetivou-se caracterizar as recomendações vigentes sobre precauções específicas para acompanhantes e visitantes de pacientes hospitalizados e analisar as barreiras para a sua implementação sob a ótica de prevencionistas de infecção. Métodos: estudo descritivo e exploratório, de abordagem quantitativa, com 89 prevencionistas de infecção, entre março e junho de 2020. Dados coletados por questionário eletrônico, com amostragem tipo "bola de neve" e analisados segundo frequência das respostas. Resultados: a higienização das mãos foi a recomendação mais indicada (>95,0%). Quanto às não conformidades, destacou-se permanecer no quarto sem paramentação (78,6%), frequentar outros quartos (53,9%) e manter portas abertas em precaução para aerossóis (51,7%). Referente às estratégias adotadas para a orientar os acompanhantes/visitantes, houve predomínio da orientação verbal individual (92,4%). A principal barreira citada foi a falta de política institucional (56,2%). Conclusão: não houve uniformidade nas recomendações, e não conformidades e barreiras foram elencadas. Destaca-se a importância de diretrizes de prevenção específicas para esse público e estratégias educativas efetivas para sua implementação.(AU)

Justificación y Objetivos: a pesar de la importancia de los acompañantes/visitantes para pacientes hospitalizados bajo precauciones específicas, se advierte que los riesgos de exposición y diseminación de microorganismos en los servicios de salud por parte de esta población son aún incipientes en la literatura. Así, el objetivo fue caracterizar las recomendaciones vigentes sobre precauciones específicas para acompañantes y visitantes de pacientes hospitalizados y analizar las barreras para su implementación desde la perspectiva de los preventivos de infecciones. Métodos: estudio descriptivo y exploratorio con enfoque cuantitativo, con 89 prevencionistas de infecciones, entre marzo y junio de 2020. Datos recolectados por cuestionario electrónico, muestreo "bola de nieve" y analizados según frecuencia de respuestas. Resultados: la higiene de manos fue la recomendación más recomendada (>95,0%). En cuanto a las no conformidades, se destacó permanecer en la habitación sin atuendo (78,6%), ir a otras habitaciones (53,9%) y mantener las puertas abiertas como precaución contra los aerosoles (51,7%). En cuanto a las estrategias adoptadas para orientar a los acompañantes/visitantes, hubo predominio de la orientación verbal individual (92,4%). La principal barrera citada fue la falta de política institucional (56,2%). Conclusión: no hubo uniformidad en las recomendaciones, y se enumeraron las no conformidades y las barreras. Se destaca la importancia de pautas de prevención específicas para este público y estrategias educativas efectivas para su implementación.(AU)

Availability of complementary resources and equipment for use in the prevention of healthcare-associated infections / Disponibilidade de recursos e equipamentos complementares para uso na prevenção de infecções relacionadas à assistência à saúde / Disponibilidad de recursos y equipos complementarios para prevenir las infecciones asociadas a la atención de la salud

Background and Objectives: Recently, complementary resources and equipment have emerged to improve prevention of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Our aim is to verify availability and use of different resources/ equipment by infection controllers. Methods: We conducted a survey with infection controllers from the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, by invitation using a social media group, in August 2022. Nine different resources and equipment were evaluated. Categorical and continuous variables were evaluated by the chi-square test and Mann­Whitney U test, respectively. A p value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: One hundred and eight persons answered the questionnaire. The mean age was 42.8 years (SD +/- 8.5 years) and 53 (49.1%) reported most of their workload in public hospitals, 45 (41.7%) in private hospitals and 10 (9.2%) reported the same workload in public and private hospitals. Sixty-there percent reported teaching activities in their institutions. There was no correlation between the existence of teaching activities and hospital profile (p=0.42). The most common resource available was molecular biology (PCR) for microbiological samples research for 73 (67.6%) participants. The second resource most available was applications (Apps) for HAIs prevention and control for 33 (30.6%), 19 (17.6%) reported no availability of resource/equipment technology. Conclusion: Molecular biology (PCR) for microbiological samples research was the most common resource available for infection controllers of an important state of Brazil.(AU)

Justificativas e Objetivos: Recentemente, recursos e equipamentos complementares têm surgido para melhorar a prevenção de infecções relacionadas à assistência à saúde. O objetivo deste artigo é verificar a disponibilidade e o uso de diferentes recursos e equipamentos pelos controladores de infecção. Métodos: Realizamos uma pesquisa do tipo survey com controladores de infecção do estado do Rio de Janeiro, por meio de convite pela mídia social, em agosto de 2022. Nove diferentes recursos e equipamentos foram avaliados quanto à disponibilidade e ao uso. Variáveis categóricas e contínuas foram avaliadas pelo teste qui-quadrado e Mann-Whitney, respectivamente. Um valor de p menor que 0,05 foi considerado estatisticamente significativo. Resultados: Cento e oito pessoas responderam ao questionário. A média de idade foi de 42,8 anos (DP +/- 8,5 anos), e 53(49,1%) relataram maior carga de trabalho em hospitais públicos, 45 (41,7%) em hospitais privados e 10(9,2%) carga horária similar nos dois tipos de hospitais. Dos 108, 63% relataram a existência de atividades de ensino nas instituições. Não houve correlação entre existência de atividades de ensino e tipo de hospital (p=0,42). O recurso mais disponível foi o uso de biologia molecular (reação em cadeia de polimerase) por 73 (67,6%) participantes. A segunda ferramenta mais encontrada foi o uso de aplicativos para prevenção e controle de infecção para 33 (30,6%) desses participantes. Dezenove deles (17,6%) relataram ausência de todos os recursos/equipamentos. Conclusão: O uso de biologia molecular para pesquisa de amostras biológicas foi o recurso mais disponível para controladores de infecção de um importante estado brasileiro.(AU)

Antecedentes y objetivos: Recientemente han surgido recursos y equipos complementarios para mejorar la prevención de las infecciones asociadas a la atención de la salud. El objetivo es verificar la disponibilidad y el uso de diferentes recursos/equipos por los controladores de infecciones. Métodos: Realizamos una encuesta entre los controladores de infecciones del estado de Rio de Janeiro, Brasil, por invitación en redes sociales, en agosto de 2022. Se evaluó la disponibilidad y uso de nueve recursos y equipos diferentes. Las variables categóricas y continuas se evaluaron mediante las pruebas de chi-cuadrado y Mann-Whitney, respectivamente. Se consideró estadísticamente significativo un valor de p < 0.05. Resultados: Ciento ocho personas respondieron al cuestionario. La edad media fue de 42,8 años (DE +/- 8,5 años) y 53 (49,1%) reportaron mayor carga de trabajo en hospitales públicos, 45 (41,7%) en privados y 10 (9,2%) reportaron la misma carga en hospitales públicos y privados. De los 108, el 63% reportó actividades docentes en sus instituciones. No hubo correlación entre la existencia de actividades docentes y el tipo de hospital (p=0,42). El recurso más disponible fue el uso de la biología molecular (reacción en cadena de la polimerasa) por 73 (67,6%) participantes. El segundo más común fue el uso de aplicaciones de prevención y control de infecciones por 33 (30,6%) participantes. Diecinueve participantes (17,6%) señalaron la ausencia de todos los recursos/equipos. Conclusiones: El uso de la biología molecular para investigar muestras microbiológicas fue el recurso/equipo más disponible para los controladores de infecciones de un importante estado brasileño.(AU)

Biocides in the Hospital Environment: Application and Tolerance Development.

Hospital-acquired infections are a rising problem with consequences for patients, hospitals, and health care workers. Biocides can be employed to prevent these infections, contributing to eliminate or reduce microorganisms' concentrations at the hospital environment. These antimicrobials belong to several groups, each with distinct characteristics that need to be taken into account in their selection for specific applications. Moreover, their activity is influenced by many factors, such as compound concentration and the presence of organic matter. This article aims to review some of the chemical biocides available for hospital infection control, as well as the main factors that influence their efficacy and promote susceptibility decreases, with the purpose to contribute for reducing misusage and consequently for preventing the development of resistance to these antimicrobials.

Impact of structured training program about Hospital Infection Control practices on Knowledge and Perception of nursing students at public and private nursing teaching institute of Northern India- An interventional study.

BACKGROUND: Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are a primary cause of illness and death and increased expenditure due to prolonged hospitalization and poor prognosis. HAI is a global safety concern, according to World Health Organization (WHO). This study assesses the current level of knowledge and perception regarding hospital infection control practices among nursing students and evaluates the impact of structured training interventions on their baseline knowledge and perception level. METHODS AND MATERIALS: It was a single group, a pre-post interventional study done on nursing students of one government and one private nursing college in the year 2021. A pretested questionnaire consisting of was used as a study tool. Various statistical tests like one repeated-measure ANOVA, Mauchly's Test of Sphericity, and Greenhouse-Geisser correction were used. RESULTS: The mean knowledge was minimum in the pretest group (Mean = 79.4430, SD = 17.49746) and maximum immediately after the training group (Mean = 96.5443, SD = 25.42322). But after one month, knowledge decreased; however, it was more than pre-training Knowledge (Mean = 84.4937, SD = 22.40313). CONCLUSIONS: Annual educational/training modules help retain knowledge in hospital infection control practices and HAI prevention. All healthcare workers need regular training.

Multidrug-Resistant Organism Infections of Inpatients in a Hospital in Eastern China from 2015 to 2021.

Background: The prevalence of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) is gradually increasing in the global scope, causing serious burden to patients and society, which is an important public health problem. Objective: To analyze the distribution and trend of MDROs and provide a reference for hospital infection control. Methods: Collected data on MDROs infections among inpatients in a Grade III Level A hospital in Suzhou from 2015 to 2021, including drug-resistant bacteria strains and specimen sources, etc. Mantel-Haenszel χ2 test was used to evaluate the trend of infection rates over the years and SPSS version 26.0 was used for statistics analysis. Results: The hospital infection rate showed an overall downward trend across the seven-year period, ranging from 1.53% to 2.10%. According to the analysis of change of drug-resistant bacteria strains, the highest infection rate was carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRABA) (63.74%), followed by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (46.37%), carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPAE) (24.87%), carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) (13.14%) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE) (0.42%). The results of Mantel-Haenszel χ2 test showed that there was a linear relationship between the detection rate of CRE and CRPAE and the time (P<0.001), but the correlation was not strong (R = 0.136; R = 0.139). The overall detection rate of the five pathogens also increased (P<0.001). The majority of the specimens, mainly from sputum, airway secretions, and midstream urine, had a detection rate of over 70%. Conclusion: Our data showed that the detection rate of MDROs generally increased from 2015 to 2021, although the hospital infection rate displayed a declining trend. Among the detection rate MDROs, the highest was CRABA, and the lowest was VRE. It is necessary to enhance the prevention, control, and management of MDROs infections in the clinical practice.

Outbreak of high-risk XDR CRAB of international clone 2 (IC2) in Rio Janeiro, Brazil.

OBJECTIVES: Among the high-risk clones of Acinetobacter baumannii, called international clones (ICs), IC2 represents the main lineage causing outbreaks worldwide. Despite the successful global spread of IC2, the occurrence of IC2 is rarely reported in Latin America. Here, we aimed to evaluate the susceptibility and genetic relatedness of isolates from a nosocomial outbreak in Rio de Janeiro/Brazil (2022) and perform genomic epidemiology analyses of the available genomes of A. baumannii. METHODS: Sixteen strains of A. baumannii were subjected to antimicrobial susceptibility tests and genome sequencing. These genomes were compared phylogenetically with other IC2 genomes from the NCBI database, and virulence and antibiotic resistance genes were searched. RESULTS: The 16 strains represented carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB) with an extensively drug-resistant profile. In silico analysis established the relationship between the Brazilian CRAB genomes and IC2/ST2 genomes in the world. The Brazilian strains belonged to three sub-lineages, associated with genomes from countries in Europe, North America, and Asia. These sub-lineages presented three distinct capsules, KL7, KL9, and KL56. The Brazilian strains were characterised by the co-presence of blaOXA-23 and blaOXA-66, in addition to the genes APH(6), APH(3"), ANT(3"), AAC(6'), armA, and the efflux pumps adeABC and adeIJK. A large set of virulence genes was also identified: adeFGH/efflux pump; the siderophores barAB, basABCDFGHIJ, and bauBCDEF; lpxABCDLM/capsule; tssABCDEFGIKLM/T6SS; and pgaABCD/biofilm. CONCLUSION: Widespread extensively drug-resistant CRAB IC2/ST2 is currently causing outbreaks in clinical settings in southeastern Brazil. This is due to at least three sub-lineages characterised by an enormous apparatus of virulence and resistance to antibiotics, both intrinsic and mobile.