scholarly journals Decreasing Incidence of Skin and Soft-tissue Infections in 86 US Emergency Departments, 2009–2014

2018 ◽  
Vol 68 (3) ◽  
pp. 453-459 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ethan Morgan ◽  
Sam Hohmann ◽  
Jessica P Ridgway ◽  
Robert S Daum ◽  
Michael Z David

Abstract Background The incidence of skin and soft-tissue infections (SSTIs), for which human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a significant risk factor, in United States emergency departments (EDs) increased dramatically after 2000 with the emergence of community-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. Few studies have examined SSTI incidence among HIV-infected and non–HIV-infected patients in the United States after 2010. Methods Data were obtained for patient encounters at all academic medical center EDs affiliated with the Vizient clinical data warehouse assigned an SSTI-associated code based on the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, between 1 January 2009 and 31 December 2014. The rate was calculated per 1000 ED encounters by year and stratified by SSTI, HIV infection, or both, and by age group, race, payer type, and region of care. Poisson regression was used to assess temporal change over the study period. Results In 2009–2014, a total of 47317 HIV-associated and 820440 SSTI-associated encounters were recorded among 25239781 ED patient encounters. The rate of SSTIs decreased by 8% among all patients and by 14.6%, among those with HIV infection. The SSTI incidence overall decreased from 32.0 to 29.7 per 1000 ED encounters between 2009 and 2014. HIV-infected patients had a significantly higher rate of SSTIs than HIV-uninfected patients (adjusted rate ratio, 1.91; 95% confidence interval, 1.84–1.99). Conclusions The decline in SSTI incidence in US EDs between 2009 and 2014 is a remarkable epidemiologic shift from the increase in SSTIs after 2000, and further research is necessary to assess reasons for this decrease.

2016 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ethan Morgan ◽  
Robert S. Daum ◽  
Michael Z. David

Abstract Background.  The incidence of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) in the United States increased sharply after 2000 with the emergence of USA300 methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. We examined trends in SSTI incidence in 2006–2014 at the University of Chicago Medicine (UCM). Methods.  Data were obtained for patient encounters at UCM with an International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision-coded SSTI diagnosis between January 1, 2006 and March 31, 2014. Incidence density was calculated per 1000 encounters by quarter and year. Encounters were stratified by inpatient, outpatient clinic and emergency department (ED) encounters and by age group, gender, and race. Poisson regression was used to assess change over time. Results.  In 2006–2014, data were collected for 38 201 SSTI-associated encounters among 31 869 subjects. Among all patients treated at UCM, there was a decrease of 1% per year in the incidence of SSTIs during 2006–2013, with an overall decrease of 16%. There was a significant decrease in SSTI-related encounters among inpatients (rate ratio [RR] = 0.97; 95% confidence interval [CI], .96–.98), ED patients (RR = 0.98; 95% CI, .97–.98), adults (RR = 0.98; 95% CI, .97–.98), children (RR = 0.96; 95% CI, .95–.97), and African Americans (RR = 0.99; 95% CI, .98–.99). There was an annual seasonal trend, with the peak incidence occurring during the late summer. Conclusions.  The incidence of SSTIs at UCM decreased in children and adults with seasonal variation, peaking during the summer months. This suggests a reversal of the massive increase in SSTI incidence in the United States after 2000.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Joesph R Wiencek ◽  
Carter L Head ◽  
Costi D Sifri ◽  
Andrew S Parsons

Abstract Background The novel severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) originated in December 2019 and has now infected almost 5 million people in the United States. In the spring of 2020, private laboratories and some hospitals began antibody testing despite limited evidence-based guidance. Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients who received SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing from May 14, 2020, to June 15, 2020, at a large academic medical center, 1 of the first in the United States to provide antibody testing capability to individual clinicians in order to identify clinician-described indications for antibody testing compared with current expert-based guidance from the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Results Of 444 individual antibody test results, the 2 most commonly described testing indications, apart from public health epidemiology studies (n = 223), were for patients with a now resolved COVID-19-compatible illness (n = 105) with no previous molecular testing and for asymptomatic patients believed to have had a past exposure to a person with COVID-19-compatible illness (n = 60). The rate of positive SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing among those indications consistent with current IDSA and CDC guidance was 17% compared with 5% (P < .0001) among those indications inconsistent with such guidance. Testing inconsistent with current expert-based guidance accounted for almost half of testing costs. Conclusions Our findings demonstrate a dissociation between clinician-described indications for testing and expert-based guidance and a significantly different rate of positive testing between these 2 groups. Clinical curiosity and patient preference appear to have played a significant role in testing decisions and substantially contributed to testing costs.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Addison K. May ◽  
Victor B. Talisa ◽  
David A. Wilfret ◽  
Eileen Bulger ◽  
Wayne Dankner ◽  
...  

Author(s):  
Kevin M. Ryan ◽  
Sina Mostaghimi ◽  
Julianne Dugas ◽  
Eric Goralnick

ABSTRACT Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the involvement of emergency medicine physicians at academic medical centers across the United States as well as their background training, roles in the hospital, and compensation if applicable for time dedicated to preparedness. Methods: A structured survey was delivered by means of email to 109 Chairs of Emergency Medicine across the United States at academic medical centers. Unique email links were provided to track response rate and entered into REDCap database. Descriptive statistics were obtained, including roles in emergency preparedness, training, and compensation. Results: Forty-four of the 109 participants responded, resulting in a response rate of 40.4%. The majority held an administrative role in emergency preparedness. Formal training for the position (participants could select more than 1) included various avenues of education such as emergency medical services fellowship or in-person or online courses. Of the participants, most (93.18%) strongly agreed that it was important to have a physician with expertise in disaster medicine assisting with preparedness. Conclusions: The majority of responding academic medical center participants have taken an active role in hospital emergency preparedness. Education for the roles varied though, often consisted of courses from emergency management agencies. Volunteering their time for compensation was noted by 27.5%.


2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan C Cho ◽  
Matthew P Crotty ◽  
Wesley D Kufel ◽  
Elias B Chahine ◽  
Amelia K Sofjan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Pharmacists with residency training in infectious diseases (ID) optimize antimicrobial therapy outcomes in patients and support antimicrobial stewardship (AS) programs. Although most ID residencies are accredited and assessed by certain standards, the degree to which these programs are similar is not known. Methods A 19-item, cross-sectional, multicentered, electronic survey was distributed via e-mail to pharmacy residency program directors (RPDs) of all 101 second-year postgraduate (PGY-2) ID residency programs in the United States. Results Survey responses were collected from 71 RPDs (70.3%); 64.8% were associated with an academic medical center and 97.2% focused primarily in adult ID. Rotations in the microbiology laboratory, adult AS, and adult ID consult were required in 98.6% of residency programs. Only 28.2% of responding programs required pediatric AS and pediatric ID consult rotations. Programs at academic medical centers were more likely to offer immunocompromised host ID consult (P = .003), pediatric ID consult (P = .006), and hospital epidemiology (P = .047) rotations but less frequently offered outpatient AS (P = .003), viral hepatitis clinics (P = .001), and travel medicine clinics (P = .007) rotations compared to programs at nonacademic medical centers. Residents were frequently involved in AS committees (97.2%), pharmacokinetic dosing of antimicrobials (83.1%), precepting pharmacy trainees (80.3%), and performing research projects (91.5%). Conclusions The PGY-2 ID pharmacy residency programs demonstrated consistency in required adult ID consult, antimicrobial management activities, committee service, and teaching and research opportunities. Pediatric experiences were less common. The PGY-2 ID residency programs prepare pharmacists to become antimicrobial stewards for adult patients.


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