Infection preventionist staffing levels and rates of 10 types of healthcare-associated infections: A 9-year ambidirectional observation

Author(s):  
Robert J. Clifford ◽  
Donna Newhart ◽  
Maryrose R. Laguio-Vila ◽  
Jennifer L. Gutowski ◽  
Melissa Z. Bronstein ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: To quantitatively evaluate relationships between infection preventionists (IPs) staffing levels, nursing hours, and rates of 10 types of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Design and setting: An ambidirectional observation in a 528-bed teaching hospital. Patients: All inpatients from July 1, 2012, to February 1, 2021. Methods: Standardized US National Health Safety Network (NHSN) definitions were used for HAIs. Staffing levels were measured in full-time equivalents (FTE) for IPs and total monthly hours worked for nurses. A time-trend analysis using control charts, t tests, Poisson tests, and regression analysis was performed using Minitab and R computing programs on rates and standardized infection ratios (SIRs) of 10 types of HAIs. An additional analysis was performed on 3 stratifications: critically low (2–3 FTE), below recommended IP levels (4–6 FTE), and at recommended IP levels (7–8 FTE). Results: The observation covered 1.6 million patient days of surveillance. IP staffing levels fluctuated from ≤2 IP FTE (critically low) to 7–8 IP FTE (recommended levels). Periods of highest catheter-associated urinary tract infection SIRs, hospital-onset Clostridioides difficile and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae infection rates, along with 4 of 5 types of surgical site SIRs coincided with the periods of lowest IP staffing levels and the absence of certified IPs and a healthcare epidemiologist. Central-line–associated bloodstream infections increased amid lower nursing levels despite the increased presence of an IP and a hospital epidemiologist. Conclusions: Of 10 HAIs, 8 had highest incidences during periods of lowest IP staffing and experience. Some HAI rates varied inversely with levels of IP staffing and experience and others appeared to be more influenced by nursing levels or other confounders.

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S4-S4
Author(s):  
Emil P Lesho ◽  
Robert Clifford ◽  
Melissa Bronstein ◽  
Carlos Sosa ◽  
Maryrose Laguio-Vila

Abstract Background Reports regarding the correlations between infection preventionist (IP) staffing levels and healthcare-associated infections (HAI) are scarce, conflicting, and crucial for resource allocation and effort prioritization. We evaluated such correlations from January 1, 2012 to March 1, 2019 at a 528-bed teaching hospital in Rochester, NY; a period when IP staffing levels fluctuated between the recommended ratio of 1 IP: 80 patients and a critically low of 1 IP: >375. Methods Standardized National Health Safety Network (NHSN) definitions, along with laboratory events, re-admissions, interactions with surgical teams, and an independent data management company were used for case finding of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), Clostridiodes difficile (CDI), central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI), carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Colon, prosthetic knee and hip joint, hysterectomies, and coronary artery bypass graft surgical site infections (SSI) were also studied. Standardized infection ratios (SIR) were extracted from NHSN. Staffing levels were grouped into low (/ = 7 FTE). Correlations between HAI rates, SIR, and staffing levels were examined using Poisson and T-tests with the R statistical package. Results The average daily census of 451 resulted in 1.18 million total patient-days of surveillance. Periods of low and recommended IP levels occurred at similar seasons and for similar durations. There were fewer CDI, CAUTI, CLABSI, and MRSA infections when IP staff were at recommended levels than when IP staff were at the lowest level, but only CDI and CLABSI rates were significantly lower (P = 0.003 and 0.005, respectively). CLABSI SIR was 1.07 and 0.64 during periods of low and recommended staffing levels, respectively (P = 0.004). No significant differences occurred in SSI, either by type or by combined. Conclusion Hospitals often cannot achieve or maintain recommended IP staffing levels. Our findings suggest that, during critical personnel shortages, IP may have more impact by focusing on the types of HAI that correlated with preventionist staffing levels. This is among the largest such study to date, and uniquely includes the most types of HAI. Disclosures All Authors: No reported Disclosures.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s343-s344
Author(s):  
Margaret A. Dudeck ◽  
Katherine Allen-Bridson ◽  
Jonathan R. Edwards

Background: The NHSN is the nation’s largest surveillance system for healthcare-associated infections. Since 2011, acute-care hospitals (ACHs) have been required to report intensive care unit (ICU) central-line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) to the NHSN pursuant to CMS requirements. In 2015, this requirement included general medical, surgical, and medical-surgical wards. Also in 2015, the NHSN implemented a repeat infection timeframe (RIT) that required repeat CLABSIs, in the same patient and admission, to be excluded if onset was within 14 days. This analysis is the first at the national level to describe repeat CLABSIs. Methods: Index CLABSIs reported in ACH ICUs and select wards during 2015–2108 were included, in addition to repeat CLABSIs occurring at any location during the same period. CLABSIs were stratified into 2 groups: single and repeat CLABSIs. The repeat CLABSI group included the index CLABSI and subsequent CLABSI(s) reported for the same patient. Up to 5 CLABSIs were included for a single patient. Pathogen analyses were limited to the first pathogen reported for each CLABSI, which is considered to be the most important cause of the event. Likelihood ratio χ2 tests were used to determine differences in proportions. Results: Of the 70,214 CLABSIs reported, 5,983 (8.5%) were repeat CLABSIs. Of 3,264 nonindex CLABSIs, 425 (13%) were identified in non-ICU or non-select ward locations. Staphylococcus aureus was the most common pathogen in both the single and repeat CLABSI groups (14.2% and 12%, respectively) (Fig. 1). Compared to all other pathogens, CLABSIs reported with Candida spp were less likely in a repeat CLABSI event than in a single CLABSI event (P < .0001). Insertion-related organisms were more likely to be associated with single CLABSIs than repeat CLABSIs (P < .0001) (Fig. 2). Alternatively, Enterococcus spp or Klebsiella pneumoniae and K. oxytoca were more likely to be associated with repeat CLABSIs than single CLABSIs (P < .0001). Conclusions: This analysis highlights differences in the aggregate pathogen distributions comparing single versus repeat CLABSIs. Assessing the pathogens associated with repeat CLABSIs may offer another way to assess the success of CLABSI prevention efforts (eg, clean insertion practices). Pathogens such as Enterococcus spp and Klebsiella spp demonstrate a greater association with repeat CLABSIs. Thus, instituting prevention efforts focused on these organisms may warrant greater attention and could impact the likelihood of repeat CLABSIs. Additional analysis of patient-specific pathogens identified in the repeat CLABSI group may yield further clarification.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None


Author(s):  
Ibukunoluwa C. Akinboyo ◽  
Rebecca R. Young ◽  
Michael J. Smith ◽  
Sarah S. Lewis ◽  
Becky A. Smith ◽  
...  

Abstract We describe the frequency of pediatric healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) identified through prospective surveillance in community hospitals participating in an infection control network. Over a 6-year period, 84 HAIs were identified. Of these 51 (61%) were pediatric central-line–associated bloodstream infections, and they often occurred in children <1 year of age.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (11) ◽  
pp. 1292-1297
Author(s):  
Michael L. Rinke ◽  
Suzette O. Oyeku ◽  
William J. H. Ford ◽  
Moonseong Heo ◽  
Lisa Saiman ◽  
...  

AbstractObjective:Ambulatory healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) occur frequently in children and are associated with morbidity. Less is known about ambulatory HAI costs. This study estimated additional costs associated with pediatric ambulatory central-line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI), and surgical site infections (SSIs) following ambulatory surgery.Design:Retrospective case-control study.Setting:Four academic medical centers.Patients:Children aged 0–22 years seen between 2010 and 2015 and at risk for HAI as identified by electronic queries.Methods:Chart review adjudicated HAIs. Charges were obtained for patients with HAIs and matched controls 30 days before HAI, on the day of, and 30 days after HAI. Charges were converted to costs and 2015 USD. Mixed-effects linear regression was used to estimate the difference-in-differences of HAI case versus control costs in 2 models: unrecorded charge values considered missing and a sensitivity analysis with unrecorded charge considered $0.Results:Our search identified 177 patients with ambulatory CLABSIs, 53 with ambulatory CAUTIs, and 26 with SSIs following ambulatory surgery who were matched with 382, 110, and 75 controls, respectively. Additional cost associated with an ambulatory CLABSI was $5,684 (95% confidence interval [CI], $1,005–$10,362) and $6,502 (95% CI, $2,261–$10,744) in the 2 models; cost associated with a CAUTI was $6,660 (95% CI, $1,055, $12,145) and $2,661 (95% CI, −$431 to $5,753); cost associated with an SSI following ambulatory surgery at 1 institution only was $6,370 (95% CI, $4,022–$8,719).Conclusions:Ambulatory HAI in pediatric patients are associated with significant additional costs. Further work is needed to reduce ambulatory HAIs.


Pathogens ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (8) ◽  
pp. 667
Author(s):  
Claire Hayward ◽  
Kirstin E. Ross ◽  
Melissa H. Brown ◽  
Harriet Whiley

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are one of the most common patient complications, affecting 7% of patients in developed countries each year. The rise of antimicrobial resistant (AMR) bacteria has been identified as one of the biggest global health challenges, resulting in an estimated 23,000 deaths in the US annually. Environmental reservoirs for AMR bacteria such as bed rails, light switches and doorknobs have been identified in the past and addressed with infection prevention guidelines. However, water and water-related devices are often overlooked as potential sources of HAI outbreaks. This systematic review examines the role of water and water-related devices in the transmission of AMR bacteria responsible for HAIs, discussing common waterborne devices, pathogens, and surveillance strategies. AMR strains of previously described waterborne pathogens including Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Mycobacterium spp., and Legionella spp. were commonly isolated. However, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae that are not typically associated with water were also isolated. Biofilms were identified as a hot spot for the dissemination of genes responsible for survival functions. A limitation identified was a lack of consistency between environmental screening scope, isolation methodology, and antimicrobial resistance characterization. Broad universal environmental surveillance guidelines must be developed and adopted to monitor AMR pathogens, allowing prediction of future threats before waterborne infection outbreaks occur.


Author(s):  
Brady Page ◽  
Michael Klompas ◽  
Christina Chan ◽  
Michael R Filbin ◽  
Sayon Dutta ◽  
...  

Abstract Background U.S. hospitals are required by CMS to publicly report CLABSI, CAUTI, C.diffficile, MRSA bacteremia, and selected SSIs for benchmarking and pay-for-performance programs. It is unclear, however, to what extent these conditions capture the full breadth of serious healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). CDC’s hospital-onset Adult Sepsis Event (HO-ASE) definition could facilitate more comprehensive and efficient surveillance for serious HAIs, but the overlap between HO-ASE and currently reportable HAIs is unknown. Methods We retrospectively assessed the overlap between HO-ASEs and reportable HAIs among adults hospitalized between June 2015-June 2018 in 3 hospitals. Medical record reviews were conducted for 110 randomly selected HO-ASE cases to determine clinical correlates. Results Amongst 282,441 hospitalized patients, 2,301 (0.8%) met HO-ASE criteria and 1,260 (0.4%) had reportable HAIs. In-hospital mortality rates were higher with HO-ASEs than reportable HAIs (28.6% vs 12.9%). Mortality rates for HO-ASE missed by reportable HAIs were substantially higher than mortality rates for reportable HAIs missed by HO-ASE (28.1% vs 6.3%). Reportable HAIs were only present in 334/2,301 (14.5%) HO-ASEs, most commonly CLABSIs (6.0% of HO-ASEs), C.difficile (5.0%), and CAUTI (3.0%). On medical record review, most HO-ASEs were caused by pneumonia (39.1%, of which only 34.9% were ventilator-associated), bloodstream infections (17.4%, of which only 10.5% were central line-associated), non-C.difficile intra-abdominal infections (14.5%), urinary infections (7.3%, of which 87.5% were catheter-associated), and skin/soft tissue infections (6.4%). Conclusions CDC’s HO-ASE definition detects many serious nosocomial infections missed by currently reportable HAIs. HO-ASE surveillance could increase the efficiency and clinical significance of surveillance while identifying new targets for prevention.


2017 ◽  
Vol 38 (8) ◽  
pp. 989-992 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lyndsay M. O’Hara ◽  
Max Masnick ◽  
Surbhi Leekha ◽  
Sarah S. Jackson ◽  
Natalia Blanco ◽  
...  

Whether healthcare-associated infection data should be presented using indirect (current CMS/CDC methodology) or direct standardization remains controversial. We applied both methods to central-line–associated bloodstream infection data from 45 acute-care hospitals in Maryland from 2012 to 2014. We found that the 2 methods generate different hospital rankings with payment implications.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:989–992


Proceedings ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 66 (1) ◽  
pp. 25
Author(s):  
Corneliu Ovidiu Vrancianu ◽  
Elena Georgiana Dobre ◽  
Irina Gheorghe ◽  
Ilda Barbu ◽  
Roxana Elena Cristian ◽  
...  

Carbapenem-resistant (CR) Gram-negative bacilli, including Enterobacteriaceae and the non-fermenters, represent the most notorious pathogens due to the high incidence of morbidity and mortality, especially in immunocompromised patients in intensive care units. Carbapenem resistance is mainly associated with the production of carbapenemases, which are β-lactamases belonging to different Ambler classes (A, B, D) that can be encoded by both chromosomal and plasmid-mediated genes. These enzymes represent the most potent β-lactamases, hydrolyzing a wide variety of β-lactams, including carbapenems, cephalosporins, penicillin, and aztreonam. The major issues associated with carbapenemase production are both clinical, posing significant challenges in the treatment of healthcare-associated infections by compromising the activity of the last-resort antibiotics, and epidemiological, due to their dissemination across almost all geographic regions. An important advancement is a handful of newly launched antibiotics targeting some of the current most problematic Gram-negative pathogens, namely carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE). The most appropriate antimicrobial therapy to treat CRE infections is still controversial. Combination therapy is preferred over monotherapy due to its broad-spectrum coverage, synergic activity, and low probability of selecting resistance. In this mini-review, current and future promising antibiotics that are currently under investigation for winning the war against the emerging CRE are discussed.


Author(s):  
Sara Kotb ◽  
Meghan Lyman ◽  
Ghada Ismail ◽  
Mohammad Abd El Fattah ◽  
Samia A. Girgis ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective To describe the epidemiology of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) healthcare-associated infections (HAI) in Egyptian hospitals reporting to the national HAI surveillance system. Methods Design: Descriptive analysis of CRE HAIs and retrospective observational cohort study using national HAI surveillance data. Setting: Egyptian hospitals participating in the HAI surveillance system. The patient population included patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) in participating hospitals. Enterobacteriaceae HAI cases were Klebsiella, Escherichia coli, and Enterobacter isolates from blood, urine, wound or respiratory specimen collected on or after day 3 of ICU admission. CRE HAI cases were those resistant to at least one carbapenem. For CRE HAI cases reported during 2011–2017, a hospital-level and patient-level analysis were conducted using only the first CRE isolate by pathogen and specimen type for each patient. For facility, microbiology, and clinical characteristics, frequencies and means were calculated among CRE HAI cases and compared with carbapenem-susceptible Enterobacteriaceae HAI cases through univariate and multivariate logistic regression using STATA 13. Results There were 1598 Enterobacteriaceae HAI cases, of which 871 (54.1%) were carbapenem resistant. The multivariate regression analysis demonstrated that carbapenem resistance was associated with specimen type, pathogen, location prior to admission, and length of ICU stay. Between 2011 and 2017, there was an increase in the proportion of Enterobacteriaceae HAI cases due to CRE (p-value = 0.003) and the incidence of CRE HAIs (p-value = 0.09). Conclusions This analysis demonstrated a high and increasing burden of CRE in Egyptian hospitals, highlighting the importance of enhancing infection prevention and control (IPC) programs and antimicrobial stewardship activities and guiding the implementation of targeted IPC measures to contain CRE in Egyptian ICU’s .


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