Population Standardized Infection Ratio (pSIR): A More Meaningful Reflection of Performance With Reduction in Device Use

Background: Interventions to reduce unnecessary device use may select a higher-risk population, leading to a paradoxical increase in SIR for some high-performing facilities. The standardized utilization ratio (SUR) adjusts for device use for different units and facilities. We evaluated the performance of a population SIR (pSIR) metric compared to device SIR (dSIR) in the situations of increased, decreased, and no change in SUR for a large system. Methods: We evaluated hospitals that had a reduction, increase, and no substantial change (±5% relative change) in their SUR in FY2019 (July 2018–June 2019) compared to baseline FY2017 (July 2016–June 2017). The dSIR (defined as Σ observed events divided by Σ predicted events based on actual device days) and pSIR (defined as Σ observed events divided by Σ predicted events based on predicted device days). We calculated the cumulative attributable difference (CAD) for catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) for the same facilities based on dSIR and pSIR. Results: Overall, the system SUR dropped from 0.92 in 2017 to 0.85 in 2019 (7.3% decrease). Of the 48 hospitals included, 25 (52%) exhibited a drop, 13 (27%) exhibited an increase, and 10 (21%) had no change in SUR during 2019. For hospitals in which SUR decreased, the dSIR decreased by 15.9% from 0.88 to 0.74, and the pSIR decreased by 32.3% from 0.85 to 0.58 (Table 1). In 2019, the CAD for CAUTI to a target SIR of 1 was 133 for the dSIR compared to 181 for the pSIR, and 36% more events were avoided. Conclusions: The traditional SIR (dSIR) underestimated improvements in infection rates compared to the pSIR because it failed to account for reduced device utilization associated with infection prevention interventions. The pSIR accounts for overall risk of infection associated with device exposure in a population and better reflects the efficacy of prevention efforts compared to dSIR. The pSIR should be considered in situations in which interventions have led to substantial reductions in device use.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

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The case for a population standardized infection ratio (SIR): A metric that marries the device SIR to the standardized utilization ratio (SUR)

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.1017/ice.2019.175 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 40 (9) ◽

pp. 979-982 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mohamad G. Fakih ◽

Ren-Huai Huang ◽

Angelo Bufalino ◽

Thomas Erlinger ◽

Lisa Sturm ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Urinary Catheter ◽

Bloodstream Infections ◽

Central Line ◽

Hospital Performance ◽

Relative Increase ◽

Risk Of Infection ◽

High Performing ◽

Utilization Ratio ◽

Device Use ◽

Tract Infections

AbstractBackground:The device standardized infection ratio (SIR) is used to compare unit and hospital performance for different publicly reported infections. Interventions to reduce unnecessary device use may select a higher-risk population, leading to a paradoxical increase in SIR for some high-performing facilities. The standardized utilization ratio (SUR) adjusts for device use for different units and facilities.Methods:We calculated the device SIR (calculated based on actual device days) and population SIR (defined as Σ observed events divided by Σ predicted events based on predicted device days), adjusting for the facility SUR for both central-line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) in 84 hospitals from a single system for calendar years 2016 and 2017.Results:The central-line SUR was 1.02 for 801,172 central-line days, with a device SIR of 0.76 and a population SIR of 0.78, a 1.6% relative increase. On the other hand, the urinary catheter SUR was 0.90 for 757,504 urinary catheter days, with a device SIR of 0.84 and a population SIR of 0.76, a 10.0% relative decrease. The cumulative attributable difference for CAUTI to a target SIR of 1 was −135.4 for the device SIR compared to −203.66 for the population SIR, a 50.8% increase in prevented events.Conclusion:Population SIR accounts for predicted device utilization; thus, it is an attractive metric with which to address overall risk of infection or harm to a patient population. It also reduces the risk of selection bias that may impact the device SIR with interventions to reduce device use.

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Revisiting CAUTI Prevention: A Multifaceted Approach using Lean Six Sigma

10.46409/sr.ogph7615 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. 1-64

Author(s):

Lisa Ann Behrend

Keyword(s):

Urinary Tract Infection ◽

Urinary Tract ◽

Tract Infection ◽

Six Sigma ◽

Infection Prevention ◽

Comprehensive Evaluation ◽

Lean Six Sigma ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Infection Rates ◽

Tract Infections

This project identified gaps in policy and processes to improve patient outcomes related to workflow in the catheter-associated urinary tract infection policy and process at a 400-bed hospital in southern California. Even with an evidence-based infection prevention bundle in place, the current process was not working, as demonstrated by high catheter-associated infection rates for the last two years. This project answers the question: Does the use of a comprehensive evaluation of the current policy and process using the Lean Six Sigma quality improvement model influence a reduction in infection rates in patients who have an internal urinary catheter over 15 weeks? Despite published consensus guidelines for the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of catheter-associated urinary tract infections; a single, evidence-based approach to the reduction of urinary tract infection does not exist. Avoiding the placement of catheters and encouraging early removal are the most effective interventions to prevent infection. The outcomes of the project resulted in a decrease in infections and significant cost reduction for the organization related to patient days and fines. Implementation of teams, nurse-driven protocols, and the establishment of bi-annual staff education were successful interventions. Lean Six Sigma played a significant role in the recognition of practical strategies required to ensure the effective use of proven infection prevention and to decrease the burden of disease correlated with indwelling urinary catheterization.

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Device-Associated Infection Rates in 20 Cities of India, Data Summary for 2004–2013: Findings of the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.1017/ice.2015.276 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 37 (2) ◽

pp. 172-181 ◽

Cited By ~ 25

Author(s):

Yatin Mehta ◽

Namita Jaggi ◽

Victor Daniel Rosenthal ◽

Maithili Kavathekar ◽

Asmita Sakle ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Urinary Tract ◽

Nosocomial Infection ◽

Infection Control ◽

Urinary Tract Infections ◽

Central Line ◽

Mechanical Ventilator ◽

Infection Rates ◽

Healthcare Associated Infection ◽

Device Use ◽

Tract Infections

OBJECTIVETo report the International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium surveillance data from 40 hospitals (20 cities) in India 2004–2013.METHODSSurveillance using US National Healthcare Safety Network’s criteria and definitions, and International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium methodology.RESULTSWe collected data from 236,700 ICU patients for 970,713 bed-daysPooled device-associated healthcare-associated infection rates for adult and pediatric ICUs were 5.1 central line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs)/1,000 central line–days, 9.4 cases of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAPs)/1,000 mechanical ventilator–days, and 2.1 catheter-associated urinary tract infections/1,000 urinary catheter–daysIn neonatal ICUs (NICUs) pooled rates were 36.2 CLABSIs/1,000 central line–days and 1.9 VAPs/1,000 mechanical ventilator–daysExtra length of stay in adult and pediatric ICUs was 9.5 for CLABSI, 9.1 for VAP, and 10.0 for catheter-associated urinary tract infections. Extra length of stay in NICUs was 14.7 for CLABSI and 38.7 for VAPCrude extra mortality was 16.3% for CLABSI, 22.7% for VAP, and 6.6% for catheter-associated urinary tract infections in adult and pediatric ICUs, and 1.2% for CLABSI and 8.3% for VAP in NICUsPooled device use ratios were 0.21 for mechanical ventilator, 0.39 for central line, and 0.53 for urinary catheter in adult and pediatric ICUs; and 0.07 for mechanical ventilator and 0.06 for central line in NICUs.CONCLUSIONSDespite a lower device use ratio in our ICUs, our device-associated healthcare-associated infection rates are higher than National Healthcare Safety Network, but lower than International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium Report.Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 2016;37(2):172–181

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Summer Peaks in the Incidences of Gram-Negative Bacterial Infection Among Hospitalized Patients

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.1086/592698 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 29 (12) ◽

pp. 1124-1131 ◽

Cited By ~ 101

Author(s):

Eli N. Perencevich ◽

Jessina C. McGregor ◽

Michelle Shardell ◽

Jon P. Furuno ◽

Anthony D. Harris ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Seasonal Variation ◽

Infection Prevention ◽

Medical Center ◽

Empirical Therapy ◽

Experimental Investigations ◽

Infection Rates ◽

Gram Negative ◽

Prevention Interventions ◽

Quasi Experimental ◽

Few Data

Objective.Recognition of seasonal trends in hospital infections may improve diagnosis, use of empirical therapy, and infection prevention interventions. There are very few data available regarding the seasonal variability of these infections. We quantified the seasonal variation in the incidences of hospital infection caused by common bacterial pathogens and estimated the association between temperature changes and infection rates.Methods.A cohort of all adult patients admitted to the University of Maryland Medical Center during the period from 1998 through 2005 was analyzed. Time-series analyses were used to estimate the association of the number of infections per month caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and enterococci with season and temperature, while controlling for long-term trends.Results.There were 218,594 admissions to the index hospital, and analysis of 26,624 unique clinical cultures that grew the organisms of interest identified increases in the mean monthly rates of infection caused by P. aeruginosa (28% of isolates recovered; P < .01), E. cloacae (46%; P < .01), E. coli (12%; P < .01), and A. baumannii (21%; P = .06). For each 10°F increase, we observed a 17% increase in the monthly rates of infection caused by P. aeruginosa (P = .01) and A. baumanii (P = .05).Conclusion.Significantly higher rates of gram-negative infection were observed during the summer months, compared with other seasons. For some pathogens, higher temperatures were associated with higher infection rates, independent of seasonality. These findings have important implications for infection prevention, such as enhanced surveillance during the warmer months, and for choice of empirical antimicrobial therapy among hospitalized adults. Future, quasi-experimental investigations of gram-negative infection prevention initiatives should control for seasonal variation.

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Duodenoscope Medical Device Reports Associated with Patient Infection, Patient Exposure, or Device Contamination

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.1017/ice.2020.737 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. s196-s197

Author(s):

Jian Connell ◽

Shanil Haugen ◽

Ann Ferriter

Keyword(s):

Medical Device ◽

The United States ◽

Risk Of Infection ◽

Patient Exposure ◽

Safety Issues ◽

Device User ◽

Infection Patient ◽

Device Use ◽

Serious Injuries ◽

Patient Infection

Background: Each year, the FDA receives more than a million reports of suspected device-associated deaths, serious injuries, and malfunctions. Medical device reports (MDRs) are submitted to the FDA by mandatory reporters (manufacturers, importers, and device user facilities) and voluntary reporters such as healthcare professionals, patients, and consumers. The FDA uses MDRs to monitor device performance, including monitoring reports of infection or device contamination to detect potential device-related safety issues and to share this information in public communications. In this analysis, the FDA presents MDRs for duodenoscopes, which are a type of flexible endoscope that have been associated with infections in patients. Methods: For this analysis, we searched the MDR database for duodenoscope reports submitted between January 2015 and July 1, 2019. MDRs were classified into clinical risk categories based on the MDR’s text narratives as patient infection (indicated the presence of infection in patients potentially transmitted by the device), patient exposure (indicated a contaminated device has been used in a patient, but the MDR lacks clear mention of patient infection), or device contamination (indicated that the device was contaminated, but no mention of device use in patients or patient infection). Results: Overall, 1,115 duodenoscope reports related to a patient infection, patient exposure, or device contamination for devices marketed inside and outside the United States were received from January 2015 to mid-2019. Among them, 79 MDRs were received for deaths in patient infection, patient exposure, or device contamination reports. The number of reported infections decreased from 247 MDRs in 2015 to 55 MDRs in the first half of 2019. Furthermore, the number of reported deaths decreased from 25 MDRs in 2015 to 2 MDRs reported in the first half of 2019. Conclusions: The MDR data indicate a decrease in the number of reported infections. The decrease in infections suggests that efforts to reduce the risk of infection from duodenoscopes have yielded improvements; however, additional improvements are necessary to further decrease the risk of infection.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

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Results of screening for emergent highly resistant bacteria in Tunisian intensive care units

European Journal of Public Health ◽

10.1093/eurpub/ckaa166.711 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 30 (Supplement_5) ◽

Author(s):

M Ben Rejeb ◽

A Ben Cheikh ◽

S Bhiri ◽

H Ghali ◽

M Kahloul ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care ◽

Intensive Care Units ◽

Early Identification ◽

Infection Prevention ◽

Screening Program ◽

Control Measures ◽

University Hospital ◽

Infection Prevention And Control ◽

Resistant Bacteria ◽

Prevention Interventions

Abstract Background The infections caused by emergent highly resistant bacteria (eHBR) that develop in intensive care units (ICUs) may result in significant patient illnesses and deaths, extend the duration of hospital stays and generate added costs. Facing this problem, the screening that emphasizes early identification of colonized patients, reduces the prevalence and incidence of infection, improves patient outcomes and reduces healthcare costs. In this context, we have implemented a screening for eHBR in ICUs of Sahloul university hospital of Sousse (Tunisia), which we report in this study the first six-months outcomes. Methods Rectal swab cultures were collected to detect Vancomycin resistant enterococcus (VRE) and Carbapenemase producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) among patients admitted in six ICUs of Sahloul university hospital of Sousse (Tunisia) and more than three times, at least one week apart, between 1 June and 31 December 2018. Results During the study period 174 patients were screened. Of them, 69.5% were male and 73.6% were admitted in surgical ICU. In total, 161 and 152 samples were realized respectively for the detection of CPE and VRE. These samples were positive in 15% and 8.5% respectively for CPE and VRE. Klebsiella pneumoniae OXA 48 was the most isolated CPE (80%). Conclusions Our screening program helped us in infection control by early identification of patients, thereby facilitating an informed decision about infection prevention interventions. Moreover, these results encouraged us to improve and generalize this program throughout the hospital. Key messages eHRB screening becomes an important axis in the prevention of eHRB infections in our facilities. eHRB screening allows the reinforcement of the basic infection prevention and control measures.

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The Science Behind Safe School Re-Opening: Leveraging the Pillars of Infection Control to Support Safe Elementary and Secondary Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofab134 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Elissa M Schechter-Perkins ◽

Polly van den Berg ◽

Westyn Branch-Elliman

Keyword(s):

Infection Control ◽

Infection Prevention ◽

Diagnostic Testing ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Implementation Barriers ◽

Safe School ◽

Elementary And Secondary Education ◽

School Settings ◽

Environmental Controls ◽

Prevention Interventions

Abstract There are limited tools for adapting COVID-19 infection control plans to school settings. We present an infection prevention model for optimizing safe re-opening for elementary and secondary schools during the global COVID-19 pandemic and review the current evidence behind various infection prevention interventions in school settings. The model is adapted from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention fundamental pillars for infection prevention, and includes four categories of intervention: epidemiologic controls (town prevalence metrics, diagnostic testing, quarantine strategies), administrative controls (state vaccination policies, alternative school models, symptom screens, quarantine breaks), engineering/environmental controls (distancing, outdoor space, ventilation), and personal protective equipment (PPE)/Hand hygiene (face coverings, hand sanitizing). The adapted infection control pillars model utilizes implementation-science informed considerations to maximize pragmatism and adherence by leveraging evidence-based strategies. It highlights the necessity of redundant infection prevention interventions, acknowledges the importance of community buy-in to achieve real-world effectiveness, and addresses tactics to overcome implementation barriers. Recommendations are grounded in the Dynamic Sustainability Framework and include suggestions to maintain infection prevention effectiveness over time to ensure ongoing safety.

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Comparison of Metrics Used to Track CLABSIs and CAUTIs Across a Regional Network

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.1017/ice.2020.710 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. s178-s179

Author(s):

Sonali Advani ◽

Becky Smith ◽

Jessica Seidelman ◽

Nicholas Turner ◽

Christopher Hostler ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Negative Correlation ◽

Urine Culture ◽

Bloodstream Infections ◽

Central Line ◽

Regional Network ◽

Community Hospitals ◽

Scatter Plots ◽

Preventable Harm ◽

Device Use ◽

Tract Infections

Background: The standardized infection ratio (SIR) is the nationally adopted metric used to track and compare catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) and central-line– associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). Despite its widespread use, the SIR may not be suitable for all settings and may not capture all catheter harm. Our objective was to look at the correlation between SIR and device use for CAUTIs and CLABSIs across community hospitals in a regional network. Methods: We compared SIR and SUR (standardized utilization ratio) for CAUTIs and CLABSIs across 43 hospitals in the Duke Infection Control Outreach Network (DICON) using a scatter plot and calculated an R2 value. Hospitals were stratified into large (>70,000 patient days), medium (30,000–70,000 patient days), and small hospitals (<30,000 patient days) based on DICON’s benchmarking for community hospitals. Results: We reviewed 24 small, 11 medium, and 8 large hospitals within DICON. Scatter plots for comparison of SIRs and SURs for CLABSIs and CAUTIs across our network hospitals are shown in Figs. 1 and 2. We detected a weak positive overall correlation between SIR and SUR for CLABSIs (0.33; R2 = 0.11), but no correlation between SIR and SUR for CAUTIs (−0.07; R2 = 0.00). Of 15 hospitals with SUR >1, 7 reported SIR <1 for CLABSIs, whereas 10 of 13 hospitals with SUR >1 reported SIR <1 for CAUTIs. Smaller hospitals showed a better correlation for CLABSI SIR and SUR (0.37) compared to medium and large hospitals (0.19 and 0.22, respectively). Conversely, smaller hospitals showed no correlation between CAUTI SIR and SUR, whereas medium and larger hospitals showed a negative correlation (−0.31 and −0.39, respectively). Conclusions: Our data reveal a weak positive correlation between SIR and SUR for CLABSIs, suggesting that central line use impacts CLABSI SIR to some extent. However, we detected no correlation between SIR and SUR for CAUTIs in smaller hospitals and a negative correlation for medium and large hospitals. Some hospitals with low CAUTI SIRs might actually have higher device use, and vice versa. Therefore, the SIR alone does not adequately reflect preventable harm related to urinary catheters. Public reporting of SIR may incentivize hospitals to focus more on urine culture stewardship rather than reducing device utilization.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

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Effect of Removing Contact Precautions for Multidrug-Resistant Organisms on Hospital Infections in a Pediatric Health System

Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology ◽

10.1017/ice.2020.742 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (S1) ◽

pp. s199-s200

Author(s):

Matthew Linam ◽

Dorian Hoskins ◽

Preeti Jaggi ◽

Mark Gonzalez ◽

Renee Watson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Hand Hygiene ◽

Antibiotic Stewardship ◽

Infection Prevention ◽

Tertiary Care ◽

Bloodstream Infections ◽

Central Line ◽

Contact Precautions ◽

Stewardship Program ◽

Tract Infections ◽

The Impact

Background: Discontinuation of contact precautions for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE) have failed to show an increase in associated transmission or infections in adult healthcare settings. Pediatric experience is limited. Objective: We evaluated the impact of discontinuing contact precautions for MRSA, VRE, and extended-spectrum β-lactamase–producing gram-negative bacilli (ESBLs) on device-associated healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Methods: In October 2018, contact precautions were discontinued for children with MRSA, VRE, and ESBLs in a large, tertiary-care pediatric healthcare system comprising 2 hospitals and 620 beds. Coincident interventions that potentially reduced HAIs included blood culture diagnostic stewardship (June 2018), a hand hygiene education initiative (July 2018), a handshake antibiotic stewardship program (December 2018) and multidisciplinary infection prevention rounding in the intensive care units (November 2018). Compliance with hand hygiene and HAI prevention bundles were monitored. Device-associated HAIs were identified using standard definitions. Annotated run charts were used to track the impact of interventions on changes in device-associated HAIs over time. Results: Average hand hygiene compliance was 91%. Compliance with HAI prevention bundles was 81% for ventilator-associated pneumonias, 90% for catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and 97% for central-line–associated bloodstream infections. Overall, device-associated HAIs decreased from 6.04 per 10,000 patient days to 3.25 per 10,000 patient days after October 2018 (Fig. 1). Prior to October 2018, MRSA, VRE and ESBLs accounted for 10% of device-associated HAIs. This rate decreased to 5% after October 2018. The decrease in HAIs was likely related to interventions such as infection prevention rounds and handshake stewardship. Conclusions: Discontinuation of contact precautions for children with MRSA, VRE, and ESBLs were not associated with increased device-associated HAIs, and such discontinuation is likely safe in the setting of robust infection prevention and antibiotic stewardship programs.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

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592 Prevention of CAUTIs in a Burn ICU

Journal of Burn Care & Research ◽

10.1093/jbcr/iraa024.218 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 41 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S138-S138

Author(s):

Vina Vargas ◽

Emiko Rivera ◽

Teresa Sidhu ◽

Lea Lyn Zaballero ◽

Yvonne L Karanas

Keyword(s):

Urinary Tract ◽

Urinary Tract Infections ◽

Infection Prevention ◽

Urinary Catheter ◽

Antimicrobial Use ◽

Research To Practice ◽

Urinary Catheters ◽

Open Forum ◽

Excellent Care ◽

Tract Infections

Abstract Introduction Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are the most common hospital-associated infection (HAI). Urinary catheter use is associated with urinary tract infections (UTIs) that can lead to complications such as cystitis, pyelonephritis, bacteremia, septic shock, and death. CAUTIs are associated with an excess length of stay of 2–4 days, increase costs of $0.4–0.5 billion per year nationally, and lead to unnecessary antimicrobial use. Through numerous implementations, a Burn ICU was able to drastically decrease their incidence of CAUTIs. Methods A Burn ICU implemented several interventions to reduce CAUTI rates. These interventions included: Results When this project was initiated in September of 2017, there were 9 CAUTIs identified in a Burn ICU, per the hospital’s Infection Prevention Department. By the end of 2017, there were 11, which equated to a rate of 14.67 per 1000 urinary catheter days. In 2018, the Burn ICU had 1 CAUTI, with a rate of 1.92 per 1000 urinary catheter days. In 2019 (through quarter 2), the Burn ICU has not had a CAUTI per the Infection Prevention Department. We believe the interventions made have drastically decreased the incidence of CAUTIs. Conclusions A Burn ICU implemented many new practices in 2017 when the CAUTI rate and SIR were above the hospital’s overall SIR. The Burn ICU staff now practice proper care and maintenance of urinary catheters and continue to provide excellent care. Although we have decreased our incidence of CAUTIs for 2018 and 2019, it is equally important we sustain this improvement. Therefore, we will continue to provide an open forum for discussion with staff so we can all do our part in keeping patients safe. Applicability of Research to Practice A Burn ICU decreased the incidence of CAUTIs by educating staff on proper care and maintenance of urinary catheters, removing catheters as soon as possible, and testing for UTIs upon admission to determine the patient’s baseline. By doing so, CAUTI rates went from 14.67 to 0 per 1000 urinary catheter days.

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