scholarly journals Impact of Two-Step Testing Algorithm on Reducing Hospital-Onset Clostridioides difficile Infections

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (S1) ◽  
pp. s42-s43
Author(s):  
Bhagyashri Navalkele ◽  
Wendy Winn ◽  
Sheila Fletcher ◽  
Regina Galloway ◽  
Jason Parham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Medical Center ◽  
Molecular Testing ◽  
Toxin A ◽  
Clostridioides Difficile ◽  
Contact Isolation ◽  
Academic Center ◽  
Mississippi Medical ◽  
True Infection ◽  
Testing Algorithm ◽  
The University

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is one of the leading causes of hospital–onset infections. Clinically distinguishing true CDI versus colonization with C. difficile is challenging and often requires reliable and rapid molecular testing methods. At our academic center, we implemented a 2-step testing algorithm to help identify true CDI cases. The University of Mississippi Medical Center is a 700+ bed academic facility located in Jackson, Mississippi. Hospital-onset (HO) CDI was defined based on NHSN Laboratory Identified (LabID) event as the last positive C. difficile test result performed on a specimen using a multistep testing algorithm collected >3 calendar days after admission to the facility. HO-CDI data were collected from all inpatient units except the NICU and newborn nursery. HO-CDI outcomes were assessed based on standardized infection ratio (SIR) data. In May 2020, we implemented a 2-step testing algorithm (Figure 1). All patients with diarrhea underwent C. difficile PCR testing. Those with positive C. difficile PCR test were reflexed to undergo enzyme immunoassay (EIA) glutamate dehydrogenase antigen (Ag) testing and toxin A and B testing. The final results were reported as colonization (C. difficile PCR+/EIA Ag+/Toxin A/B−) or true CDI case (C. difficile PCR+/EIA +/Toxin A/B +) or negative (C. difficile PCR−). All patients with colonization or true infection were placed under contact isolation precautions until diarrhea resolution for 48 hours. During the preintervention period (October 2019–April 2020), 25 HO-CDI cases were reported compared to 8 cases in the postintervention period (June 2020–December 2020). A reduction in CDI SIR occurred in the postintervention period (Q3 2020–Q4 2020, SIR 0.265) compared to preintervention period (Q4 2019–Q1 2020, SIR 0.338) (Figure 2). We successfully reduced our NHSN HO-CDI SIR below the national average after implementing a 2-step testing algorithm for CDI. The 2-step testing algorithm was useful for antimicrobial stewardship to guide appropriate CDI treatment for true cases and for infection prevention to continue isolation of infected and colonized cases to reduce the spread of C. difficile spores.Funding: NoDisclosures: None

One Hundred Fifty Liver Transplants at a New Program in the Modern Era: The University of Mississippi Experience

2019 ◽  
Vol 85 (9) ◽  
pp. 1025-1027
Author(s):  
Kyle Curtis ◽  
Christopher Anderson ◽  
Ashley Seawright ◽  
Felicitas Koller ◽  
James Wynn ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Confidence Interval ◽  
Liver Transplant ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Alcoholic Cirrhosis ◽  
High Volume ◽  
University Of Mississippi ◽  
Liver Transplants ◽  
Underserved Area ◽  
Mississippi Medical ◽  
The University

From 1991 to 2013, Mississippi was without liver transplant services. In 2013, a new liver transplant program was established at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Here, we describe our experience with the first 150 transplants over a 4.5-year period. This study is a review of 147 patients who underwent the first 150 liver transplants at the University of Mississippi Medical Center between March 5, 2013, and January 4, 2018. There were no exclusion criteria for this study. Donor, recipient, and outcome variables were analyzed. Recipients were 46% female and 74% white. Age at the time of transplant was 57 [IQR 49–63]. BMI at transplant was 30 [IQR 25–35]. Thirty per cent of transplants were for alcoholic cirrhosis, 25% non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, 24% hepatitis C, and 12% cholestatic. Mean model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) at the time of transplant was 20 [95% confidence interval 19–21] and MELD-Na was 22 [95% confidence interval 20–23]. One-year patient- and graft survival were 89% and 87%, respectively, which were as expected based on Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipient reports after risk adjustment. The data published here verifies it is possible to establish a new liver transplant center in an underserved area previously lacking comprehensive liver care and to achieve results similar to other high-volume centers across the country.

Laboratory Test Utilization in an Expanding Regional Laboratory Network: Past Successes and Future Opportunities

2019 ◽  
Vol 152 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S149-S149
Author(s):  
Tamera Paczos ◽  
Phoenix Bell
Keyword(s):  
Medical Center ◽  
Laboratory Diagnostics ◽  
Molecular Testing ◽  
Successful Implementation ◽  
Close Monitoring ◽  
Reference Test ◽  
Health Care Environment ◽  
Quality Patient Care ◽  
Outpatient Settings ◽  
The University

Abstract Introduction The University of Rochester Medical Center developed a reference test utilization program implemented in 2011 to tackle increasing test volumes and costs. There was an initial >7,000 decrease in test volumes, which equated to >$1,000,000.00 in savings by year end 2012. Despite this, by the end of 2018, testing volumes had increased 34% and the cost had climbed 36%. Here we would like to discuss the methods implemented for initial success, potential reasons for continued increases in volumes and costs, and ideas to mitigate this trend in the future. Methods In 2010, the University of Rochester formed a laboratory diagnostics committee, which successfully decreased reference testing volumes and costs in both the inpatient and outpatient settings. They did this by developing a formulary for reference tests, which was divided into three tiers based on clinical utility and cost: tier 1 tests, unrestricted and available to all providers to order; tier 2 tests, restricted with only board-certified, subspecialty-trained physicians able to order; and tier 3 tests, off formulary and not available to order. The resident physician staff was also no longer allowed to order any reference testing on inpatients. Despite initial gains costs and volumes have climbed >36% and 34%, respectively, since implementation. Possible explanations for this include the addition of regional affiliate hospitals and reference clients that are not following these protocols, increased testing volumes, and increasing use of molecular testing. Conclusion Despite successful implementation of a reference test utilization program, close monitoring and adaptations are necessary in our continuously changing health care environment to remain effective. Implementation of the program at the regional affiliate hospitals and a more robust molecular testing menu in-house are potential options to control rising costs while providing high-quality patient care.

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