Management of an Outbreak ofClostridium difficile–Associated Disease Among Geriatric Patients

2006 ◽  
Vol 27 (11) ◽  
pp. 1200-1205 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Cherifi ◽  
M. Delmee ◽  
J. Van Broeck ◽  
I. Beyer ◽  
B. Byl ◽  
...  

Objective.To describe a nosocomial outbreak ofClostridium difficile–associated disease (CDAD).Design.A traditional outbreak investigation.Setting.Geriatric department of a tertiary care teaching hospital from March through April 2003.Methods.The outbreak was detected by theC. difficilesurveillance program of the infection control unit. CDAD was diagnosed by stool culture and fecal toxin A detection with a qualitative rapid immunoassay. Isolates ofC difficilewere serotyped and genotyped using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis.Results.The incidence of CDAD increased from 27 cases per 100,000 patient-days in the 6-month period before the outbreak to 99 cases per 100,000 patient-days during the outbreak. This outbreak involved 21 of 92 patients in 4 geriatric wards, which were located at 2 geographically distinct sites and staffed by the same medical team. The mean age of patients was 83 years (range, 71-100 years). Five (24%) of the 21 patients had community-acquired diarrhea, and secondary hospital transmission resulted in 3 clusters involving 16 patients. Serotyping and genotyping were performed on isolates in stool specimens from 19 different patients; 16 of these isolates were serotype A1, whereas 3 displayed profiles different from the outbreak strain. Management of this outbreak consisted in reinforcement of contact isolation precautions for patients with diarrhea, cohorting of infected patients in the same ward, and promotion of hand hygiene. Relapses occurred in 6 (29%) of 21 patients.Conclusion.Control of this rapidly developing outbreak of CDAD was obtained with early implementation of cohorting and ward closure and reinforcement of environmental disinfection, hand hygiene, and enteric isolation precautions.

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 522-530 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna K. Barker ◽  
Elizabeth Scaria ◽  
Oguzhan Alagoz ◽  
Ajay K. Sethi ◽  
Nasia Safdar

AbstractObjective:Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is rapidly increasing in children’s hospitals nationwide. Thus, we aimed to compare the effectiveness of 9 infection prevention interventions and 6 multiple-intervention bundles at reducing hospital-onset CDI and asymptomatic C. difficile colonization.Design:Agent-based simulation model of C. difficile transmission.Setting:Computer-simulated, 80-bed freestanding, tertiary-care pediatric hospital, including 8 identical wards with 10 single-bed patient rooms each.Participants:The model includes 5 distinct agent types: patients, visitors, caregivers, nurses, and physicians.Interventions:Daily and terminal environmental disinfection, screening at admission, reduced intrahospital patient transfers, healthcare worker (HCW), visitor, and patient hand hygiene, and HCW and visitor contact precautions.Results:The model predicted that daily environmental disinfection with sporicidal product, combined with screening for asymptomatic C. difficile at admission, was the most effective 2-pronged infection prevention bundle, reducing hospital-onset CDI by 62.0% and asymptomatic colonization by 88.4%. Single-intervention strategies, including daily disinfection, terminal disinfection, asymptomatic screening at admission, HCW hand hygiene, and patient hand hygiene, as well as decreasing intrahospital patient transfers, all also reduced both hospital-onset CDI and asymptomatic colonization in the model. Visitor hand hygiene and visitor and HCW contact precautions were not effective at reducing either measure.Conclusions:Hospitals can achieve substantial reduction in hospital-onset CDIs by implementing a small number of highly effective interventions.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s162-s163
Author(s):  
Loice Ombajo ◽  
Malcolm Correia ◽  
Alice Kanyua ◽  
Cheptoo Bore ◽  
Phoebe Juma ◽  
...  

Background:Candida auris is of global concern due to its increasing frequency in intensive care units (ICUs), reported resistance to antifungal agents, propensity to cause outbreaks, and persistence in clinical environments. We investigated an increase in C. auris cases in an ICU in Kenya to determine the source of transmission and to control the spread of the disease. Methods: To identify cases, we reviewed laboratory records of patients with blood cultures yielding C. auris and organisms for which it is commonly misidentified by Vitek 2 v 8.01 software (ie, C. haemulonii, C. duobushaemulonii and C. famata) during January 2018–May 2019. We retrospectively reviewed medical charts of C. auris patients to extract information on demographics, underlying conditions, hospital procedures, treatments, and outcomes. We also enhanced infection control efforts by implementing contact precautions, equipment, and environmental disinfection, and hand hygiene training and compliance observations. Results: We identified 32 C. auris patients (Fig. 1). Median patient age was 55 years (IQR, 43–65), and 57% were male. Length of hospitalization before C. auris isolation was 30 days (IQR, 14–36). All had been admitted to the ICU. The most common reasons for admission were sepsis (50%), pneumonia (34%), surgery (25%), and stroke or other neurologic diagnosis (25%). Underlying comorbidities included hypertension (38%), diabetes mellitus (25%), and malignancy (29%). Two patients had HIV. Moreover, 61% of cultures yielded multidrug-resistant bacteria. Also, 33% of the patients had been admitted to this hospital in the preceding 3 months; 21% had been admitted to a hospital outside of Kenya; and 10% had been admitted to another hospital in Kenya in the previous year. Almost all (97%) had a central venous catheter, 45% had an acute dialysis catheter, 66% had an endotracheal tube, and 34% had a tracheostomy, with 69% receiving mechanical ventilation before C. auris isolation. Most (94%) had urinary catheters, 84% had nasogastric tubes, 91% had received total parenteral nutrition, and 75% had received blood products. All patients received broad-spectrum antibiotics and 49% received an antifungal before C. auris isolation. All-cause in-hospital mortality was 64% for the 28 patients whose outcomes were available. Following implementation of a hand hygiene campaign and improved equipment and environmental disinfection, no further cases were identified. Conclusions: We identified C. auris bloodstream infections associated with high all-cause mortality in a Kenyan hospital ICU. All patients had treatments and procedures suggesting severe underlying illness. Enhanced infection control contained the outbreak.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s199-s200
Author(s):  
Matthew Linam ◽  
Dorian Hoskins ◽  
Preeti Jaggi ◽  
Mark Gonzalez ◽  
Renee Watson ◽  
...  

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


Author(s):  
Elad Keren ◽  
Abraham Borer ◽  
Lior Nesher ◽  
Tali Shafat ◽  
Rivka Yosipovich ◽  
...  

Abstract Objective: To determine whether a multifaceted approach effectively influenced antibiotic use in an orthopedics department. Design: Retrospective cohort study comparing the readmission rate and antibiotic use before and after an intervention. Setting: A 1,000-bed, tertiary-care, university hospital. Patients: Adult patients admitted to the orthopedics department between January 2015 and December 2018. Methods: During the preintervention period (2015–2016), 1 general orthopedic department was in operation. In the postintervention period (2017–2018), 2 separate departments were created: one designated for elective “clean” surgeries and another that included a “complicated wound” unit. A multifaceted strategy including infection prevention measures and introducing antibiotic stewardship practices was implemented. Admission rates, hand hygiene practice compliance, surgical site infections, and antibiotic treatment before versus after the intervention were analyzed. Results: The number of admissions and hospitalization days in the 2 periods did not change. Seven-day readmissions per annual quarter decreased significantly from the preintervention period (median, 7 days; interquartile range [IQR], 6–9) to the postintervention period (median, 4 days; IQR, 2–7; P = .038). Hand hygiene compliance increased and surgical site infections decreased in the postintervention period. Although total antibiotic use was not reduced, there was a significant change in the breakdown of the different antibiotic classes used before and after the intervention: increased use of narrow-spectrum β-lactams (P < .001) and decreased use of β-lactamase inhibitors (P < .001), third-generation cephalosporins (P = .044), and clindamycin (P < .001). Conclusions: Restructuring the orthopedics department facilitated better infection prevention measures accompanied by antibiotic stewardship implementation, resulting in a decreased use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and a significant reduction in readmission rates.


2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s8-s10
Author(s):  
Julia Johnson ◽  
Asad Latif ◽  
Bharat Randive ◽  
Abhay Kadam ◽  
Uday Rajput ◽  
...  

Background: In low- and middle-income country (LMIC) healthcare facilities, gaps in infection prevention and control (IPC) practices increase risk of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and mortality among hospitalized neonates. Method: In this quasi-experimental study, we implemented the Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program (CUSP) to improve adherence to evidence-based IPC practices in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) in 4 tertiary-care facilities in Pune, India. CUSP is a validated strategy to empower staff to improve unit-level patient safety. Baseline safety culture was measured using the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture (HSOPS). Baseline IPC assessments using the Infection Control Assessment Tool (ICAT) were completed to describe existing IPC practices to identify focus areas, the first of which was hand hygiene (HH). Sites received training in CUSP methodology and formed multidisciplinary CUSP teams, which met monthly and were supported by monthly coaching calls. Staff safety assessments (SSAs) guided selection of multimodal interventions. HH compliance was measured by direct observation using trained external observers. The primary outcome was HH compliance, evaluated monthly during the implementation and maintenance phases. Secondary outcomes included CUSP meeting frequency and HH compliance by healthcare worker (HCW) role. Result: In March 2018, 144 HCWs and administrators participated in CUSP training. Site meetings occurred monthly. During the implementation phase (June 2018–January 2019), HH monitoring commenced, sites formed their teams, completed the SSA, and selected interventions to improve HH based on the WHO’s IPC multimodal improvement strategy: (1) system change; (2) training and education; (3) monitoring and feedback; (4) reminders and communication; and (5) a culture of safety (Fig. 1). During the maintenance phase (February–September 2019), HH was monitored monthly and sites adapted interventions as needed. HH compliance improved from 58% to 70% at participant sites from implementation to maintenance phases (Fig. 2), with an odds ratio (OR) of 1.66 (95% CI, 1.50–1.84; P < .001). HH compliance improved across all HCW roles: (1) physician compliance improved from 55% to 67% (OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.42–2.01; P < .001); (2) nurse compliance from 61% to 73% (OR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.46–1.93; P < .001); and (3) other HCW compliance from 52% to 62% (OR, 1.48; 95% CI, 1.10–1.99; P = .010). Conclusion: CUSP was successfully adapted by 4 diverse tertiary-care NICUs in Pune, India, and it resulted in increased HH compliance at all sites. This multimodal strategy is a promising framework for LMIC healthcare facilities to sustainably address IPC gaps and reduce HAI and mortality in neonates.Funding: NoneDisclosures: Aaron Milstone, Johns Hopkins University, BD (consulting)


2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa A. Viray ◽  
James C. Morley ◽  
Craig M. Coopersmith ◽  
Marin H. Kollef ◽  
Victoria J. Fraser ◽  
...  

Objective.Determine whether daily bathing with chlorhexidine-based soap decreased methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) transmission and intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired S. aureus infection among ICU patients.Design.Prospective pre-post-intervention study with control unit.Setting.A 1,250-bed tertiary care teaching hospital.Patients.Medical and surgical ICU patients.Methods.Active surveillance for MRSA colonization was performed in both ICUs. In June 2005, a chlorhexidine bathing protocol was implemented in the surgical ICU. Changes in S. aureus transmission and infection rate before and after implementation were analyzed using time-series methodology.Results.The intervention unit had a 20.68% decrease in MRSA acquisition after institution of the bathing protocol (12.64 cases per 1,000 patient-days at risk before the intervention vs 10.03 cases per 1,000 patient-days at risk after the intervention; β, −2.62 [95% confidence interval (CI), −5.19 to −0.04]; P = .046). There was no significant change in MRSA acquisition in the control ICU during the study period (10.97 cases per 1,000 patient-days at risk before June 2005 vs 11.33 cases per 1,000 patient-days at risk after June 2005; β, −11.10 [95% CI, −37.40 to 15.19]; P = .40). There was a 20.77% decrease in all S. aureus (including MRSA) acquisition in the intervention ICU from 2002 through 2007 (19.73 cases per 1,000 patient-days at risk before the intervention to 15.63 cases per 1,000 patient-days at risk after the intervention [95% CI, −7.25 to −0.95]; P = .012)]. The incidence of ICU-acquired MRSA infections decreased by 41.37% in the intervention ICU (1.96 infections per 1,000 patient-days at risk before the intervention vs 1.15 infections per 1,000 patient-days at risk after the intervention; P = .001).Conclusions.Institution of daily chlorhexidine bathing in an ICU resulted in a decrease in the transmission of S. aureus, including MRSA. These data support the use of routine daily chlorhexidine baths to decrease rates of S. aureus transmission and infection.


2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (8) ◽  
pp. 939-945 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jillian Hansen Carter ◽  
Joanne Marie Langley ◽  
Stefan Kuhle ◽  
Susan Kirkland

OBJECTIVETo examine the incidence of central-line–associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) over time and to determine risk factors for CLABSI in hospitalized children.DESIGNProspective cohort study.SETTINGPediatric tertiary care referral center in Halifax, Nova Scotia, serving a population of 2.3 million.PARTICIPANTSPatients ages 0–18 years with central venous catheters (CVCs) inserted at this facility between 1995 and 2013.METHODSParticipants were followed from CVC insertion to CLABSI event or until CVC removal. Data were prospectively collected by clinicians, infection prevention and control staff, and nursing staff for the purposes of patient care, surveillance, and quality improvement. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to identify risk factors for CLABSI.RESULTSAmong 5,648 patients, 385 developed CLABSI (0.74 CLABSI per 1,000 line days; or 3.87 per 1,000 in-hospital line days). Most infections occurred within 60 days of insertion. CLABSI rates decreased from 4.87 per 1,000 in-hospital line days in 1995 to 0.78 per 1,000 in-hospital line days in 2013, corresponding to an 84% reduction. A temporal association of CLABSI reduction with a hand hygiene promotion campaign was identified. CVC type, number of lumens, dressing type, insertion vein, and being in the critical care unit were statistically significantly associated with CLABSI.CONCLUSIONSHospital-wide surveillance over an 18-year period identified children at highest risk for CLABSI and decreasing risk over time; this decrease was temporally associated with a hand hygiene campaign.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;37:939–945


2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (1) ◽  
pp. 42-48
Author(s):  
Emanuela Santoro ◽  
Marco Fiore ◽  
Sebastiano Leone ◽  
Armando Masucci ◽  
Roberta Manente ◽  
...  

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the correct use of gloves and alcohol-based products for hand hygiene and identify opportunities for hand hygiene replacement with gloves among healthcare professionals working in the Department of Anesthesia and Intensive Care of a tertiary care University Hospital. Background: Two centuries have passed since the discovery of Semmelweis that the “puerperal fever” was due to an infection transmitted by the hands. Currently the hand hygiene is still not well performed, rather it is often replaced by the improper use of gloves. Microbial transmission is estimated to occur in one-fifth of all contact cases. Objective: To investigate the correct use of gloves and alcohol-based products for hand hygiene and identify opportunities for hand hygiene replacement with gloves among healthcare professionals. Furthermore, to correlate the consumption data of the hydroalcoholic solution and the amount of antibiotics used for the treatment of hospital-acquired infections. Method: The study was conducted over six months period (from January to June 2018); during this period, 20 monitoring sessions were performed. The following indicators were evaluated: a) Non-adherence to hand hygiene with concomitant use of gloves; b) Adhesion to alcoholic friction of hands; c) Hand-washing adhesion. Instead, the consumption data, provided by the hospital ward itself, were used for the evaluation of d) The antibiotics used in the treatment of hospital-acquired infections; e) The hydro-alcoholic solution used by the healthcare professionals for hand hygiene. Results: The frequency of non-adherence to hand hygiene was very high at the beginning of the study, subsequently it decreased to about a half percent to that at the initial stage. The adhesion to alcoholic friction of hands increased during the study period. Otherwise, the hand-washing adhesion slightly reduced, especially in March probably due to the recruitment of new inadequately trained nursing staff. The trend of antibiotic consumption was similar to handwashing. The consumption of hydro-alcoholic solution was very low, however over time, it increased considerably until the end of the study. Conclusion: In light of the findings from this work, it is necessary to make the hospital staff increasingly aware of the correct practice of hand hygiene and to organize training and informative sessions to promote the health of the individual and the community.


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