The Effect of Rapid Screening for Methicillin-ResistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) on the Identification and Earlier Isolation of MRSA-Positive Patients

2010 ◽  
Vol 31 (4) ◽  
pp. 374-381 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eilish Creamer ◽  
Anthony Dolan ◽  
Orla Sherlock ◽  
Toney Thomas ◽  
John Walsh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Turnaround Time ◽  
Rapid Screening ◽  
Pcr Assay ◽  
Period 2 ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Patients At Risk ◽  
Risk Patients

Objectives.(1) To determine whether rapid screening with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays leads to the earlier isolation of patients at risk for methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) colonization, (2) to assess compliance with routine MRSA screening protocols, (3) to confirm the diagnostic accuracy of the Xpert MRSA real-time PCR assay (Cepheid) by comparison with culture, and (4) to compare turnaround times for PCR assay results with those for culture results.Design.Before-and-after study conducted in a 700-bed acute tertiary care referral hospital. Study periods were (1) a 5-week period before PCR testing began, (2) a 10-week period when the PCR assay was used, and (3) a 5-week period after PCR testing was discontinued.Results.Among 489 at-risk patients, MRSA was isolated from 20 (33%) of 60 patients during period 1, 77 (22%) of 349 patients during period 2, and 18 (23%) of 80 patients during period 3. Twenty-two (27%) of 82 at-risk patients were not screened during period 1, compared with 40 (10%) of 389 at-risk patients not screened during period 2 (P< .001). More MRSA-positive patients were preemptively isolated during periods 1 and 3 compared with period 2 (34 [24%] of 140 vs 28 [8%] of 389;P< .001); however, more MRSA-positive patients were isolated after notification of MRSA-positive results during period 2 (47 [13%] of 349) compared with periods 1 and 3 (2 [1%] of 140;P< .001). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the PCR assay were 95%, 97%, 82%, and 99%, respectively. The mean turnaround time from receipt of specimens in the laboratory to PCR assay result was 2.6 hours.Conclusions.Rapid screening with the Xpert MRSA PCR assay facilitated compliance with screening policies and the earlier isolation of MRSA-positive Patients. Discrepant results confirm that PCR testing should be used as a screening tool rather than as a diagnostic tool.

scholarly journals Daily Bathing with Chlorhexidine-Based Soap and the Prevention of Staphylococcus aureus Transmission and Infection

2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 243-250 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melissa A. Viray ◽  
James C. Morley ◽  
Craig M. Coopersmith ◽  
Marin H. Kollef ◽  
Victoria J. Fraser ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Staphylococcus Aureus ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Control Unit ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Icu Patients ◽  
Chlorhexidine Bathing ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Surgical Icu ◽  
Time Series Methodology

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.

Trastuzumab-Induced Cardiotoxicity: Clinical and Prognostic Implications of Troponin I Evaluation

2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (25) ◽  
pp. 3910-3916 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniela Cardinale ◽  
Alessandro Colombo ◽  
Rosalba Torrisi ◽  
Maria T. Sandri ◽  
Maurizio Civelli ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Cardiac Dysfunction ◽  
Troponin I ◽  
Left Ventricular ◽  
Left Ventricular Ejection ◽  
Ventricular Ejection Fraction ◽  
Trastuzumab Therapy ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Patients At Risk ◽  
Prognostic Implications

Purpose Treatment of breast cancer with trastuzumab is complicated by cardiotoxicity in up to 34% of the patients. In most patients, trastuzumab-induced cardiotoxicity (TIC) is reversible: left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) improves after trastuzumab withdrawal and with, or sometimes without, initiation of heart failure (HF) therapy. The reversibility of TIC, however, is not foreseeable, and identification of patients at risk and of those who will not recover from cardiac dysfunction is crucial. The usefulness of troponin I (TNI) in the identification of patients at risk for TIC and in the prediction of LVEF recovery has never been investigated. Patients and Methods In total, 251 women were enrolled. TNI was measured before and after each trastuzumab cycle. LVEF was evaluated at baseline, every 3 months during trastuzumab therapy, and every 6 months afterward. In case of TIC, trastuzumab was discontinued, and HF treatment with enalapril and carvedilol was initiated. TIC was defined as LVEF decrease of > 10 units and below 50%. Recovery from TIC was defined as LVEF increase above 50%. Results TIC occurred in 42 patients (17%) and was more frequent in patients with TNI elevation (TNI+; 62% v 5%; P < .001). Twenty-five patients (60%) recovered from TIC. LVEF recovery occurred less frequently in TNI+ patients (35% v 100%; P < .001). At multivariate analysis, TNI+ was the only independent predictor of TIC (hazard ratio [HR], 22.9; 95% CI, 11.6 to 45.5; P < .001) and of lack of LVEF recovery (HR, 2.88; 95% CI,1.78 to 4.65; P < .001). Conclusion TNI+ identifies trastuzumab-treated patients who are at risk for cardiotoxicity and are unlikely to recover from cardiac dysfunction despite HF therapy.

scholarly journals Surgical Pathology Resident Rotation Restructuring at a Tertiary Care Academic Center

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 237428951773634
Author(s):  
Chelsea R. Mehr ◽  
Amrom E. Obstfeld ◽  
Amanda C. Barrett ◽  
Kathleen T. Montone ◽  
Lauren E. Schwartz
Keyword(s):  
Resident Education ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Turnaround Time ◽  
Surgical Pathology ◽  
Primary Sources ◽  
Road Map ◽  
Academic Center ◽  
Organ Systems ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Time Required

Changes in the field of pathology and resident education necessitate ongoing evaluation of residency training. Evolutionary change is particularly important for surgical pathology rotations, which form the core of anatomic pathology training programs. In the past, we organized this rotation based on subjective insight. When faced with the recent need to restructure the rotation, we strove for a more evidence-based process. Our approach involved 2 primary sources of data. We quantified the number of cases and blocks submitted per case type to estimate workload and surveyed residents about the time required to gross specimens in all organ systems. A multidisciplinary committee including faculty, residents, and staff evaluated the results and used the data to model how various changes to the rotation would affect resident workload, turnaround time, and other variables. Finally, we identified rotation structures that equally distributed work and created a point-based system that capped grossing time for residents of different experience. Following implementation, we retrospectively compared turnaround time and duty hour violations before and after these changes and surveyed residents about their experiences with both systems. We evaluated the accuracy of the point-based system by examining grossing times and comparing them to the assigned point values. We found overall improvement in the rotation following the implementation. As there is essentially no literature on the subject of surgical pathology rotation organization, we hope that our experience will provide a road map to improve pathology resident education at other institutions.

scholarly journals Case Report: Syphilitic Hepatitis–A Rare and Underrecognized Etiology of Liver Disease With Potential for Misdiagnosis

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiba A. Al Dallal ◽  
Siddharth Narayanan ◽  
Hanah F. Alley ◽  
Michael J. Eiswerth ◽  
Forest W. Arnold ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Rare Condition ◽  
Liver Function Tests ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Drug Use Disorders ◽  
Rare Manifestation ◽  
Patients At Risk ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
Treponemal Infection

Syphilitic hepatitis (SH) in adults is a rare condition that can be easily misdiagnosed. Clinical and histopathologic manifestations of SH can mimic other infectious and non-infectious conditions, and the diagnosis should be considered in all at-risk patients with abnormal liver function tests. We present an unusual case of SH presenting with seizures and multiple liver lesions. This case report, in line with other newly published reports, promotes awareness of SH as a rare manifestation of treponemal infection and highlights the importance of including SH in the differential diagnosis for patients at risk for sexually transmitted infections and presenting with liver enzyme abnormalities. From a hospital quality control and socioeconomic perspective, our case adds to the growing body of evidence that demonstrates an increasing incidence of patients suffering from venereal diseases and injection drug use disorders, and the burden these conditions place on the healthcare system. Recognition of the clinicopathologic features of SH is required to prevent missed diagnosis and to foster systematic crosstalk between healthcare staff and public health personnel managing this problem.

Guidelines for the Management of Pediatric and Adult Tumor Lysis Syndrome: An Evidence-Based Review

2008 ◽  
Vol 26 (16) ◽  
pp. 2767-2778 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bertrand Coiffier ◽  
Arnold Altman ◽  
Ching-Hon Pui ◽  
Anas Younes ◽  
Mitchell S. Cairo
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Tumor Lysis Syndrome ◽  
The United States ◽  
Standards Of Care ◽  
Close Monitoring ◽  
Tumor Lysis ◽  
High Risk Patients ◽  
Patients At Risk ◽  
Risk Patients

PurposeTumor lysis syndrome (TLS) has recently been subclassified into either laboratory TLS or clinical TLS, and a grading system has been established. Standardized guidelines, however, are needed to aid in the stratification of patients according to risk and to establish prophylaxis and treatment recommendations for patients at risk or with established TLS.MethodsA panel of experts in pediatric and adult hematologic malignancies and TLS was assembled to develop recommendations and guidelines for TLS based on clinical evidence and standards of care. A review of relevant literature was also used.ResultsNew guidelines are presented regarding the prevention and management of patients at risk of developing TLS. The best management of TLS is prevention. Prevention strategies include hydration and prophylactic rasburicase in high-risk patients, hydration plus allopurinol or rasburicase for intermediate-risk patients, and close monitoring for low-risk patients. Primary management of established TLS involves similar recommendations, with the addition of aggressive hydration and diuresis, plus allopurinol or rasburicase for hyperuricemia. Alkalinization is not recommended. Although guidelines for rasburicase use in adults are provided, this agent is currently only approved for use in pediatric patients in the United States.ConclusionThe potential severity of complications resulting from TLS requires measures for prevention in high-risk patients and prompts treatment in the event that symptoms arise. Recognition of risk factors, monitoring of at-risk patients, and appropriate interventions are the key to preventing or managing TLS. These guidelines should assist in the prevention of TLS and improve the management of patients with established TLS.

Identifying patients at risk of futile resuscitation: palliative care indicators in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest

2019 ◽  
pp. bmjspcare-2019-001828
Author(s):  
Mia Cokljat ◽  
Adam Lloyd ◽  
Scott Clarke ◽  
Anna Crawford ◽  
Gareth Clegg
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Cardiac Arrest ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Intermediate Risk ◽  
Patients At Risk ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
Record Review ◽  
Hospital Cardiac Arrest

ObjectivesPatients with indicators for palliative care, such as those with advanced life-limiting conditions, are at risk of futile cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) if they suffer out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). Patients at risk of futile CPR could benefit from anticipatory care planning (ACP); however, the proportion of OHCA patients with indicators for palliative care is unknown. This study quantifies the extent of palliative care indicators and risk of CPR futility in OHCA patients.MethodsA retrospective medical record review was performed on all OHCA patients presenting to an emergency department (ED) in Edinburgh, Scotland in 2015. The risk of CPR futility was stratified using the Supportive and Palliative Care Indicators Tool. Patients with 0–2 indicators had a ‘low risk’ of futile CPR; 3–4 indicators had an ‘intermediate risk’; 5+ indicators had a ‘high risk’.ResultsOf the 283 OHCA patients, 12.4% (35) had a high risk of futile CPR, while 16.3% (46) had an intermediate risk and 71.4% (202) had a low risk. 84.0% (68) of intermediate-to-high risk patients were pronounced dead in the ED or ED step-down ward; only 2.5% (2) of these patients survived to discharge.ConclusionsUp to 30% of OHCA patients are being subjected to advanced resuscitation despite having at least three indicators for palliative care. More than 80% of patients with an intermediate-to-high risk of CPR futility are dying soon after conveyance to hospital, suggesting that ACP can benefit some OHCA patients. This study recommends optimising emergency treatment planning to help reduce inappropriate CPR attempts.

A Pharmacist-Driven Glycemic Control Protocol to Reduce the Rate of Severe Hypoglycemia in High-Risk Patients

2020 ◽  
pp. 001857872097389
Author(s):  
Colleen A. Cook ◽  
Victor Vakayil ◽  
Kyle Pribyl ◽  
Derek Yerxa ◽  
John Kriz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Glycemic Control ◽  
Risk Reduction ◽  
Severe Hypoglycemia ◽  
Diabetic Patients ◽  
Control Protocol ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Patients At Risk ◽  
Acceptance Rates

Purpose: Hospital pharmacists contribute to patient safety and quality initiatives by overseeing the prescribing of antidiabetic medications. A pharmacist-driven glycemic control protocol was developed to reduce the rate of severe hypoglycemia events (SHE) in high-risk hospitalized patients. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the rates of SHE (defined as blood glucose ≤40 mg/dL), before and after instituting a pharmacist-driven glycemic control protocol over a 4-year period. A hospital glucose management team that included a lead Certified Diabetes Educator Pharmacist (CDEP), 5 pharmacists trained in diabetes, a lead hospitalist, critical care and hospital providers established a process to first identify patients at risk for severe hypoglycemia and then implement our protocol. Criteria from the American Diabetes Association and the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists was utilized to identify and treat patients at risk for SHE. We analyzed and compared the rate of SHE and physician acceptance rates before and after protocol initiation. Results: From January 2015 to March 2019, 18 297 patients met criteria for this study; 139 patients experienced a SHE and approximately 80% were considered high risk diabetes patients. Physician acceptance rates for the new protocol ranged from 77% to 81% from the year of initiation (2016) through 2018. The absolute risk reduction of SHE was 9 events per 1000 hospitalized diabetic patients and the relative risk reduction was 74% SHE from the start to the end of the protocol implementation. Linear regression analysis demonstrated that SHE decreased by 1.5 events per 1000 hospitalized diabetic patients (95% confidence interval, −1.54 to −1.48, P < .001) during the 2 years following the introduction of the protocol. This represents a 15% relative reduction of SHE per year. Conclusion: The pharmacist-driven glycemic control protocol was well accepted by our hospitalists and led to a significant reduction in SHE in high-risk diabetes patient groups at our hospital. It was cost effective and strengthened our physician-pharmacist relationship while improving diabetes care.

scholarly journals Rs895819 inMIR27Aimproves the predictive value ofDPYDvariants to identify patients at risk of severe fluoropyrimidine-associated toxicity

2016 ◽  
Vol 138 (11) ◽  
pp. 2752-2761 ◽  
Author(s):  
Didier Meulendijks ◽  
Linda M. Henricks ◽  
Ursula Amstutz ◽  
Tanja K. Froehlich ◽  
Carlo R. Largiadèr ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Patients At Risk

scholarly journals Routine Solid Phase Multiplex Anti-HLA Antibody Tests Predict Platelet Refractoriness

2019 ◽  
Vol 152 (2) ◽  
pp. 146-154 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeremy Ryan A Peña ◽  
Robert S Makar
Keyword(s):  
At Risk ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Human Leukocyte ◽  
Hematopoietic Progenitor Cell ◽  
Screening Methods ◽  
Cell Transplant ◽  
Patients At Risk ◽  
Risk Patients ◽  
Antibody Tests ◽  
Hla Antibody

ABSTRACTObjectivesNo validated screening methods identify patients at risk for human leukocyte antigen (HLA) alloimmune-mediated platelet refractoriness (alloPR). We determined if bead-based HLA antibody tests could predict risk of developing HLA alloPR.MethodsHematopoietic progenitor cell transplant patients screened for HLA antibodies without prior refractoriness were identified. Phenotype bead screening results were compared between patients who later did and did not develop alloPR.ResultsSeven of 27 patients identified subsequently developed alloPR. The panel reactive antibody (PRA) and mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of the 10 most reactive beads in the initial screen were significantly higher among patients who later developed alloPR (P < .001). Specifically, PRA of more than 30% and mean MFI of 1,500 or more in the most reactive beads identified at-risk patients. Administration of HLA-compatible platelets yielded significant posttransfusion count increments compared with routine platelets.ConclusionsHLA antibody screening by phenotype bead assay may prospectively identify at-risk patients for the development of alloPR. However, clinical trials are needed to validate these findings.

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