scholarly journals Infection Prevention Control (IPC) and Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR)

Author(s):  
Louise Ackers ◽  
Gavin Ackers-Johnson ◽  
Joanne Welsh ◽  
Daniel Kibombo ◽  
Samuel Opio

AbstractThis chapter outlines a key component of improved AMR; namely infection prevention control (IPC). It addresses some of the issues most commonly associated with IPC including hand hygiene, waste disposal and infrastructure. It then addresses wound management as an Infection Control issue. The emergence of wound management as a central focus in the Maternal Sepsis Intervention proved pivotal in shaping the pathway to antimicrobial stewardship.

Author(s):  
Gregory Merlo ◽  
Minyon Avent ◽  
Trent Yarwood ◽  
Bonnie Smith ◽  
Mieke van Driel ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The Australian National Antimicrobial Resistance Strategy calls for a collaborative effort to change practices that have contributed to the development of drug-resistance and for implementation of new initiatives to reduce antibiotic use. Methods A facilitated workshop was undertaken at the 2019 National Australian Antimicrobial Resistance Forum to explore the complexity of antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) implementation in Australia and prioritise future action. Participants engaged in rotating rounds of discussion using a world café format addressing six topics relating to AMS implementation. Once all tables had discussed all themes the discussion concluded and notes were summarised. The documents were independently openly coded by two researchers to identify elements relating to the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship. Results There were 39 participants in the facilitated discussions, including pharmacists, infectious disease physicians, infection prevention nurses, and others. Participants discussed strategies they had found successful, including having a regular presence in clinical areas, adapting messaging and implementation strategies for different disciplines, maintaining positivity, and being patient-focused. Many of the recommendations for the next step involved being patient focussed and outcomesdriven. This involves linking data to practice, using patient stories, using data to celebrate wins and creating incentives. Discussion Recommendations from the workshop should be included in priority setting for the implementation of AMS initiatives across Australia.


Author(s):  
Sanjeev Singh ◽  
Esmita Charani ◽  
Sarada Devi ◽  
Anuj Sharma ◽  
Fabia Edathadathil ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The global concern over antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is gathering pace. Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are at the epicentre of this growing public health threat and governmental and healthcare organizations are at different stages of implementing action plans to tackle AMR. The South Indian state of Kerala was one of the first in India to implement strategies and prioritize activities to address this public health threat. Strategies Through a committed and collaborative effort from all healthcare related disciplines and its professional societies from both public and private sector, the Kerala Public Private Partnership (PPP) has been able to deliver a state-wide strategy to tackle AMR A multilevel strategic leadership model and a multilevel implementation approach that included developing state-wide antibiotic clinical guidelines, a revision of post-graduate and undergraduate medical curriculum, and a training program covering all general practitioners within the state the PPP proved to be a successful model for ensuring state-wide implementation of an AMR action plan. Collaborative work of multi-professional groups ensured co-design and development of disease based clinical treatment guidelines and state-wide infection prevention policy. Knowledge exchange though international and national platforms in the form of workshops for sharing of best practices is critical to success. Capacity building at both public and private institutions included addressing practical and local solutions to the barriers e.g. good antibiotic prescription practices from primary to tertiary care facility and infection prevention at all levels. Conclusion Through 7 years of stakeholder engagement, lobbying with government, and driving change through co-development and implementation, the PPP successfully delivered an antimicrobial stewardship plan across the state. The roadmap for the implementation of the Kerala PPP strategic AMR plan can provide learning for other states and countries aiming to implement action plans for AMR.


2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S407-S407
Author(s):  
Kate Tyner ◽  
Regina Nailon ◽  
Sue Beach ◽  
Margaret Drake ◽  
Teresa Fitzgerald ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Little is known about hand hygiene (HH) policies and practices in long-term care facilities (LTCF). Hence, we decided to study the frequency of HH-related infection control (IC) gaps and the factors associated with it. Methods The Nebraska (NE) Infection Control Assessment and Promotion Program (ICAP) in collaboration with NE Department of Health and Human Services conducted in-person surveys and on-site observations to assess infection prevention and control programs (IPCP) in 30 LTCF from 11/2015 to 3/2017. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Infection Prevention and Control Assessment tool for LTCF was used for on-site interviews and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Hospital IC Worksheet was used for observations. Gap frequencies were calculated for questions (6 on CDC survey and 8 on CMS worksheet) representing best practice recommendations (BPR). The factors studied for the association with the gaps included LTCF bed size (BS), hospital affiliation (HA), having trained infection preventionists (IP), and weekly hours (WH)/ 100 bed spent by IP on IPCP. Fisher’s exact test and Mann Whitney test were used for statistical analyses. Results HH-related IC gap frequencies from on-site interviews are displayed in Figure 1. Only 6 (20%) LTCF reported having all 6 BPR in place and 10 (33%) having 5 BPR. LTCF with fewer gaps (5 to 6 BPR in place) appear more likely to have HA as compared with the LTCF with more gaps but the difference didn’t reach statistical significance (37.5% vs. 7.1%, P = 0.09). When analyzed separately for each gap, it was found that LTCF with HA are more likely to have a policy on preferential use of alcohol based hand rubs than the ones without HA. (85.7%, vs. 26.1% P = 0.008). Several IC gaps were also identified during observations (Figure 2) with one of them being overall HH compliance of <80%. LTCF that have over 90% HH compliance are more likely to have higher median IP WH/100 beds dedicated towards IPCP as compared with the LTCFs with less than 90% compliance (16.4 vs. 4.4, P < 0.05). Conclusion Many HH-related IC gaps still exist in LTCF and require mitigation. Mitigation strategies may include encouraging LTCF to collaborate with IP at local acute care hospitals for guidance on IC activities and to increase dedicated IP times towards IPCP in LTCF. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (7) ◽  
pp. 802-806 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carol E. Chenoweth ◽  
Stephen C. Hines ◽  
Kendall K. Hall ◽  
Rajiv Saran ◽  
John D. Kalbfleisch ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVETo observe patient care across hemodialysis facilities enrolled in the National Opportunity to Improve Infection Control in ESRD (end-stage renal disease) (NOTICE) project in order to evaluate adherence to evidence-based practices aimed at prevention of infection.SETTING AND PARTICIPANTSThirty-four hemodialysis facilities were randomly selected from among 772 facilities in 4 end-stage renal disease participating networks. Facility selection was stratified on dialysis organization affiliation, size, socioeconomic status, and urban/rural status.MEASUREMENTSTrained infection control evaluators used an infection control worksheet to observe 73 distinct infection control practices at the hemodialysis facilities, from October 1, 2011, through January 31, 2012.RESULTSThere was considerable variation in infection control practices across enrolled facilities. Overall adherence to recommended practices was 68% (range, 45%–92%) across all facilities. Overall adherence to expected hand hygiene practice was 72% (range, 10%–100%). Compliance to hand hygiene before and after procedures was high; however, during procedures hand hygiene compliance averaged 58%. Use of chlorhexidine as the specific agent for exit site care was 19% overall but varied from 0% to 35% by facility type. The 8 checklists varied in the frequency of perfect performance from 0% for meeting every item on the checklist for disinfection practices to 22% on the arteriovenous access practices at initiation.CONCLUSIONSOur findings suggest that there are many areas for improvement in hand hygiene and other infection prevention practices in end-stage renal disease. These NOTICE project findings will help inform the development of a larger quality improvement initiative at dialysis facilities.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2015;36(7):802–806


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 223s-223s
Author(s):  
M. Faizan ◽  
S. Anwar ◽  
R.U.A. Kashif ◽  
R. Saleem ◽  
H. Javed ◽  
...  

Background: Overcrowding, lack of operational funds, and healthcare associated infections are major challenges at the Children Hospital Lahore, a public healthcare facility in Pakistan with 900 new pediatric cancer admissions annually. In 2014, a collaboration between My Child Matters (MCM), St. Jude Global Infectious Diseases Program (SJ-GID), and our institution was established to address these issues. Aim: To describe the effect of a collaborative improvement strategy on the infection prevention and control (IPC) standards in a pediatric oncology unit in a resource-limited setting. Methods: Our study was a prospective before-and-after study. We compare the WHO Hand Hygiene Self-Assessment Framework (HHSAF) and 4 modules of the St. Jude modified Infection Control Assessment Tool (ICAT) scores. Our strategy included: (1) creating a multidisciplinary team of pediatric hematology-oncology, infectious disease physicians, nurses, microbiologist, and a data manager, (2) engaging on monthly online IPC mentoring sessions with the SJ-GID and MCM mentors, (3) performing daily inpatient healthcare associated (HAI) surveillance rounds, and (4) providing regular hand hygiene training and compliance audits. Results: Our hand hygiene facility level per WHO scores increased from “Inadequate” during the baseline assessment to “Intermediate/Consolidation” by the end of 3-year implementation (122 vs 352 HHSAF scores). The sink: bed and hand sanitizer: bed ratios improved to 1:6 and 1:1 respectively. Six washrooms were added to our unit. ICAT general infection control module increased by 40% (45 vs 78 ICAT score) and hygiene compliance improved by 20% from baseline. Identification of HAI increased from baseline (4.07 vs 8.7 infections per 1000 patient days). A 25% of the isolates were multidrug-resistant microorganisms. Conclusion: Implementing a collaborative improvement strategy improved the IPC standards in our pediatric cancer center. The increase of HAI might be a result of a better surveillance and laboratory identification. Further targeted interventions should be develop to decrease HAI rates and infection-related morbidity and mortality in our population.


2020 ◽  
Vol 73 (suppl 2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Cristina de Oliveira e Silva ◽  
Ana Maria de Almeida ◽  
Maria Eliane Moreira Freire ◽  
Jordana de Almeida Nogueira ◽  
Elucir Gir ◽  
...  

ABSTRACT Objective: to identify scientific evidence on the effectiveness of using cloth masks as safe protectors against COVID-19. Method: an integrative review of articles available in full obtained at PubMed, CINAHL, and Web of Science. Controlled, non-controlled descriptors and keywords such as “mask”, “home-made” and “cloth” or “cotton” and “infection control” or “infection prevention” were used. Results: thirty-eight articles were selected; of these, seven studies made up the sample. Evidence shows that cloth masks do not have the same protective characteristics as surgical masks, indicating an increased risk of infection due to humidity, diffusion of fluids, virus retention, and improper preparation. Considering the shortage of surgical masks during the pandemic, cloth masks could be proposed as a last resort. Conclusion: cloth masks should be used together with preventive measures, such as home insulation, good respiratory conduct, and regular hand hygiene.


2007 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 110-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elaine L. Larson ◽  
Dave Quiros ◽  
Tara Giblin ◽  
Susan Lin

• Background Antibiotic misuse and noncompliance with infection control precautions have contributed to increasing levels of antimicrobial resistance in hospitals. • Objectives To assess the extent to which resistance is monitored in infection control programs and to correlate resistance rates with characteristics of antimicrobial control policies, provider attitudes and practices, and systems-level indicators of implementation of the hand hygiene guideline of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. • MethodsAn on-site survey of intensive care unit staff and infection control directors of 33 hospitals in the United States was conducted. The following data were collected: antimicrobial control policies; rates during the previous 12 months of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, vancomycin-resistant enterococci, and ceftazidime-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae; an implementation score of systems-level efforts to implement the guideline; staff attitudes toward practice guidelines; and observations of staff hand hygiene. Variables associated with resistance rates were examined for independent effects by using logistic regression. • ResultsResistance rates for S aureus, enterococci, and K pneumoniae were 52.5%, 18.2%, and 16.0%, respectively. Ten (30.3%) hospitals had an antibiotic control policy. No statistically significant correlation was observed between staff attitudes toward practice guidelines, observed hand hygiene behavior, or having an antibiotic use policy and resistance rates. In logistic regression analysis, higher scores on measures of systems-level efforts to implement the guideline were associated with lower rates of resistant S aureus and enterococci (P=.046). • Conclusions Organizational-level factors independent of the practices of individual clinicians may be associated with rates of antimicrobial resistance.


2018 ◽  
Vol 5 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S399-S399
Author(s):  
Olivia Menden ◽  
Sumathi Prabhu ◽  
Veena Shetty ◽  
Chaithra Pandith ◽  
Shobha Giri ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major public health problem in India. The World Health Organization recognizes that the education of medical students on antimicrobial stewardship plays a critical role in the efforts to combat AMR, but data related to knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) regarding AMR is limited in India. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in July-August 2017. Medical students at K.S. Hegde Medical Academy in Mangalore, India were surveyed with an anonymous questionnaire using a convenience sampling method involving second year, third year, fourth year, and intern students (n = 347). Data about demographics, sources of information, and antimicrobial training were collected. In addition, AMR knowledge and attitude scores were calculated. A Mann–Whitney U test was used to determine factors that were associated with significant differences in knowledge scores and attitude scores. The primary outcome measure of this study was to determine positive predictors of increased confidence in prescribing antimicrobials in the future using multivariate analysis. Results A total of 347 surveys were analyzed (response rate of 98.9%). The mean total knowledge score was 11.47 out to 31 with a standard deviation (SD) of 3.39, and the mean attitude score was 5.99 out of 16 (SD = 4.207). While 13.2% of students were “very familiar” or “familiar” with the term “Antimicrobial Stewardship,” and 88.2% of students said they would like more antimicrobial education in medical school. On multivariate analysis, female gender (OR 2.51, 95% CI (1.51, 4.18)), clinical vignette antimicrobial knowledge scores (OR 1.26, 95% CI (1.05, 1.51)), positive attitude scores (OR 0.94, 95% CI (0.88, 0.995)), awareness of Infection Control Policy (OR 1.87, 95% CI (1.09, 3.22)), and > 3 years of antimicrobial prescribing clinical training (OR 2.48, 95% CI (1.29, 4.75)) were predictors of confidence in antimicrobial prescribing. Conclusion This study identifies several possible interventions for improving confidence such as increased clinical knowledge through clinical experience, increased awareness of infection control policies and antimicrobial guidelines, and empowering students to be antimicrobial stewards to combat AMR. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.


2020 ◽  
Vol 75 (7) ◽  
pp. 1681-1684 ◽  
Author(s):  
Timothy M Rawson ◽  
Luke S P Moore ◽  
Enrique Castro-Sanchez ◽  
Esmita Charani ◽  
Frances Davies ◽  
...  

Abstract The emergence of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has required an unprecedented response to control the spread of the infection and protect the most vulnerable within society. Whilst the pandemic has focused society on the threat of emerging infections and hand hygiene, certain infection control and antimicrobial stewardship policies may have to be relaxed. It is unclear whether the unintended consequences of these changes will have a net-positive or -negative impact on rates of antimicrobial resistance. Whilst the urgent focus must be on controlling this pandemic, sustained efforts to address the longer-term global threat of antimicrobial resistance should not be overlooked.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s65-s66
Author(s):  
Rehab Abdelfattah ◽  
Virgie Fields ◽  
Carol Jamerson ◽  
Sarah Lineberger

Background: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention developed the Infection Control Assessment and Response (ICAR) tools to assist health departments in assessing infection prevention practices and to guide quality improvement activities. ICAR tools are available for the following healthcare settings: acute care (including hospitals and long-term acute-care hospitals), outpatient, long-term care, and hemodialysis. The Virginia Healthcare-Associated Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance (HAI/AR) Program developed a scoring report that provides a quantitative measure for each infection control domain and summarizes strengths and opportunities for improvement. The scoring report aims to provide feedback to facility administration in a simple, user-friendly way to increase their engagement, prioritize follow-up actions for areas in need of improvement, and to analyze statewide data systematically to identify and address major defects. Methods: Scoring reports were developed for acute care, long-term care, and hemodialysis facilities. Each report includes 2 tables: infection control domains for gap assessment and direct observation of facility practices. The first table has rows for infection control assessment domains, and the second table summarizes direct observations conducted during the ICAR visit such as hand hygiene, point-of-care testing, and wound dressing change. Each row is stratified by the score, which is determined by responses to the ICAR tool, for each domain or observation, interpretation of the score, strengths, and opportunities for improvement. Stoplight colors with assigned percentages are used for score interpretation. ICAR visit results from 5 long-term care facilities (LTCFs) and 3 hemodialysis centers were entered into a REDCap database and analyzed. Results: Data from these visits elucidated consistent gaps in Infection Prevention and Control programs and defined what practices are most lacking. The low-performance areas in LTCFs included hand hygiene, personal protective equipment (PPE), environmental cleaning and disinfection, and antimicrobial stewardship. In hemodialysis centers, respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette, injection safety, and surveillance and disease reporting had the lowest scores. Positive feedback on the scoring report was received from facilities and other state HAI programs. Conclusion: The Virginia HAI/AR Program developed a scoring report that engaged healthcare facility administration, including corporate leadership, by providing a composite score with interpretation. The report prioritized areas for improvement and guided public health follow-up visits. Common gaps in infection prevention practices were identified across facilities, and this information has been used to determine statewide training needs by facility type. The scoring report is an effective method to help allocate state resources and improve communication and engagement of healthcare facilities. Reports can be adapted for use in other jurisdictions.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None


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