Line of Service-Specific Performance and Antibiotic Prescribing Habits Following Introduction of a Two-Step Diagnostic Approach Using NAAT Followed by Enzyme Immunoassay in Cancer Patients with Suspected Clostridium difficile Infection

Abstract Background Patients with cancer are at an increased risk for C. difficile infection (CDI). A two-step approach with a Nucleic Acid Amplification Test (NAAT) followed by enzyme immunoassay (EIA) increases diagnostic sensitivity and specificity and can be used to guide antibiotic therapy. We retrospectively investigated the relative performance of the two-step approach in cancer patients with solid tumors (ST), hematologic malignancies (HS), and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients (HSCT). Methods We identified 204 patients with a positive NAAT test for CDI as determined by GI multiplex (Biofire) or by Illumigene (Meridian, Bioscience) in whom a reflex EIA was performed for C. difficile A/B toxins between November 2015 and February 2017. Patients were stratified into ST, HM, HSCT groups. We compared the proportion of discordant NAAT+, EIA- results among the three groups. We then compared the clinical presentation and antibiotic use for patients in the NAAT+/EIA- to those with NAAT+/EIA+ results. Results Overall an EIA+ result was found in 53 (26%) patients. The proportion of patients with NAAT+/EIA+ results was significantly different between the three lines of service; ST 31/86 (36%), HM 16/62 (26%), and HSCT 6/56 (11%) P < 0.01. A trend towards a higher proportion of positive results was observed for ST compared with the HM group (P = 0.06). Results were similar between the HM and HSCT group. However, patients in the ST were more likely to have a positive EIA when compared with HSCT patients (36% vs. 11% P < 0.01). Clinical presentation and healthcare-association were similar in all three groups regardless of the EIA result. Despite the low proportion of EIA+ confirmatory results, the majority of patients (196/204 96%) received antibiotic therapy targeting CDI. Discontinuation of CDI antibiotics prior to 10 days of therapy was similar in the EIA+ (12%) vs. EIA- (10%). Conclusion The relevance of discordant results needs to be interpreted in the context of the line of service/patient care unit. The presence of CDI as determined by NAAT/EIA is low in patients with other potential causes of diarrhea such as in HSCT recipients. A substantial proportion of cancer patients are treated unnecessarily for CDI. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Download Full-text

1100. Characterization of Enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (EPEC) in Cancer Patients With Diarrhea

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofy210.935 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (suppl_1) ◽

pp. S330-S330

Author(s):

Pablo Okhuysen ◽

Adilene Olvera ◽

Lily Carlin

Keyword(s):

Cancer Patients ◽

Severe Disease ◽

Nucleic Acid Amplification ◽

Cell Transplant ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Duration Of Illness ◽

Underlying Malignancy ◽

Typical Epec ◽

Stool Cultures ◽

Bacterial Diarrhea

Abstract Background Biofire FilmArray multiplexed nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) for bacterial diarrhea include probes specific for EPEC. However, the platform does not differentiate typical EPEC (tEPEC, defined as carrying eaeA and bfp) which have strong epidemiologic associations with diarrhea from atypical EPEC (aEPEC, carrying eaeA but not bfp) for which there is a weaker association. Nevertheless, emerging data suggest that aEPEC subsets carrying efa1/lifA which encodes for adherence factor 1/lymphocyte inhibitory factor A, are associated with diarrhea. The role of EPEC and its subtypes as agents of bacterial diarrhea have not been well defined in immunosuppressed and cancer patients. Methods We characterized EPEC subtypes in stools from healthy individuals with no diarrhea (HI, N = 21), cancer patients with diarrhea and negative NAAT (DN, N = 25) and patients with diarrhea positive NAAT for EPEC (DP, N = 54). EPEC isolated from stool cultures were tested for eaeA and bfp, stx and other E. coli pathotypes. We estimated the number of fecal EPEC using a qPCR for eaeA, efa1/lifA that detected 5.6 × 101 to 5 × 107 cfu/mg of stool. Results Demographic characteristics and underlying malignancy were similar between DN and DP groups. DP were more likely to have diarrhea on admission than DN [46/52 (88%) vs. 13/25 (52%), P < 0.01]. Stool cultures confirmed EPEC in 24/52 (60%) DP of which 23/24 (96%) were aEPEC. Fecal qPCR for eaeA confirmed EPEC in 43/52 (83%) of DP, 0/25 DN and in 3/21 (14%) of HI (P < 0.001). DP excreted a higher number of EPEC cfu/mg of stool than HI (median 168 vs. 1.18 cfu/mg, P < 0.001) and only DP excreted EPEC efa1/lifA (+) [14/52 DP (27%) vs. 0/25 DN and 0/21 HI; P < 0.001]. When compared with DP EPEC efa1/lifA (-), DP EPEC efa1/lifA (+) had a longer median duration of illness (3 days vs. 1 days, P < 0.05); more likely to be hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients [7/14 (50%) vs. 7/38 (18%), P < 0.05] and had a higher EPEC eaeA fecal burden (median 3885 vs. 84 cfu/mg, P < 0.05). Co-infections with other pathogens were equally represented in efa1/lifA (−) and efa1/lifA (+) DP subgroups [8/14 (57%) vs. 21/38 (55%) P = NS]. Conclusion Most EPEC in cancer patients with diarrhea are aEPEC acquired in the community and when carrying efa1/lifA (+), are associated with more severe disease. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Download Full-text

Clinical presentation and outcomes of non-typhoidal Salmonella infections in patients with cancer

BMC Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1186/s12879-021-06710-7 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Nobuyoshi Mori ◽

Ariel D. Szvalb ◽

Javier A. Adachi ◽

Jeffrey J. Tarrand ◽

Victor E. Mulanovich

Keyword(s):

Septic Shock ◽

Antibiotic Therapy ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Clinical Presentation ◽

Case Series ◽

Hematologic Malignancies ◽

Comprehensive Cancer Center ◽

Attributable Mortality ◽

Salmonella Infections ◽

Days Of Therapy

Abstract Background Non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) infection is thought to be more severe in cancer patients, but this has not been studied since the development of new cancer therapies, increasing antibiotic resistance and the introduction of new antibiotics. We sought to describe the demographic characteristics, microbiological findings, clinical manifestations, and outcomes of NTS infections in cancer patients at our institution. Methods We reviewed microbiology laboratory records and identified patients who had cancer and from whom NTS organisms were recovered between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2013, at a comprehensive cancer center in Houston, Texas. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize patient characteristics, clinical presentation and outcomes. Results We identified 110 isolates from 82 patients with 88 episodes of NTS infection (including five relapses [6%] in four patients, and two consecutive episodes in one patient). Fifty-five patients (67%) had hematologic malignancies. Most NTS isolates were susceptible to the commonly prescribed antimicrobials. Sixty-nine percent of patients had sepsis and one-third had severe sepsis or septic shock. Gastroenteritis, bacteremia, or both were present in 69% of patients, and the rest had focal infection. Mortality at 30 days was low (8%). Relapses occurred only in patients receiving ≤ 10 days of antibiotic therapy. Conclusions NTS affects predominantly patients with hematologic malignancies, followed by gastrointestinal and genitourinary cancers. Invasive disease, sepsis, and septic shock are common presentations among admitted patients. Antimicrobial prophylaxis may not prevent NTS infection. Thirty-day mortality and attributable mortality rates were low in our series compared to older case series. Early appropriate antibiotic therapy may have had a role in decreasing mortality. Relapses occurred in patients receiving ≤ 10 days of therapy, suggesting the need for longer duration of antibiotic therapy in cancer patients with uncomplicated NTS infections.

Download Full-text

1075. Absolute Lymphocyte Count as a Predictor of Cytomegalovirus (CMV) Infection and Recurrence in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) Recipients

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofaa439.1261 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S565-S565

Author(s):

Joanne Reekie ◽

Marie Helleberg ◽

Christina Ekenberg ◽

Mark P Khurana ◽

Isabelle P Lodding ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Graft Versus Host Disease ◽

Lymphocyte Count ◽

Absolute Lymphocyte Count ◽

Cell Transplant ◽

Cmv Infection ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Host Disease ◽

Graft Versus Host ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Acute Graft

Abstract Background Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a serious complication following Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant (HSCT) and can lead to serious organ disease and mortality. This study aimed to investigate the association between absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) and CMV to determine whether ALC could help to identify those at an increased risk of CMV infection and recurrence Methods Adults undergoing HSCT between 2011 and 2016 at Rigshospitalet, Denmark were included. Cox proportional hazards models investigated risk factors, including ALC, for CMV infection in the first year post-transplant and recurrent CMV infection 6 months after clearance and stopping CMV treatment for the first infection. For the primary outcome ALC was investigated as a time-updated risk factor lagged by 7 days, and for recurrent CMV, ALC measured at the time at the time of stopping treatment for the first CMV infection was investigated (+/- 7 days). Results Of the 352 HSCT recipients included, 57% were male, 40% received myeloablative conditioning, 42% had high risk (D-R+) CMV IgG serostatus at transplant and the median age was 56 (IQR 43-63). 143 (40.6%) patients had an episode of CMV DNAemia a median of 47 days after transplant (IQR 35-62). A lower current ALC (≤ 0.3 x109/L) was associated with a higher risk of CMV infection in univariate analysis compared to a high current ALC (> 1 x109/L). However, this association was attenuated after adjustment, particularly for acute graft versus host disease (Figure). 102 HSCT recipients were investigated for risk of recurrent CMV of which 41 (40.2%) had a recurrent CMV episode a median of 27 days (IQR 16-50) after stopping CMV treatment for the first infection. A lower ALC (≤ 0.3 x109/L) at the time of stopping CMV treatment was associated with a significantly higher risk of recurrent CMV after adjustment (Figure). A higher peak viral load (> 1500 IU/ml) during the first episode of CMV infection was also associated with an increased risk of recurrent CMV (aHR 2.47, 95%CI 1.00-6.10 compared to < 750 IU/ml). Association between absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) and risk of CMV infection and recurrent CMV within 6 months. **First CMV infection multivariable model also adjusted for sex, CMV serostatus, age, year of transplant, Charlson Comorbidity Index, Anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) given, HLA donor-recipient matching, and acute graft versus host disease (time-updated) *Recurrent CMV infection multivariable model also adjusted for conditioning regimen, sex, CMV serostatus, age, year of transplant Anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) given, HLA donor-recipient matching, and acute graft versus host disease and peak CMV viral load during the first CMV infection Conclusion A lower ALC at the time of stopping treatment for the first CMV infection was associated with an increased risk of recurrent CMV and could be used to help guide decisions for augmented CMV surveillance and clinical awareness of CMV disease symptoms in these patients. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Download Full-text

Bone and Joint Infections among Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients

Journal of Bone and Joint Infection ◽

10.7150/jbji.38120 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 4 (5) ◽

pp. 209-215

Author(s):

Cybele Lara Abad ◽

Vania Phuoc ◽

Prashant Kapoor ◽

Pritish K. Tosh ◽

Irene G. Sia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cell ◽

Septic Arthritis ◽

Hematopoietic Stem Cell ◽

Joint Infection ◽

Cell Transplant ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Joint Infections ◽

Bone And Joint Infections ◽

Prosthetic Joint ◽

Increased Risk

Abstract. Background: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients are at increased risk for infection. This study describes bone and joint infections (BJI) among HSCT recipients.Methods: We reviewed 5861 patients who underwent HSCT at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN from January 1, 2005 through January 1, 2015 for study inclusion. BJI was defined as native septic arthritis, prosthetic joint infection, osteomyelitis, and orthopedic implant infection. All adults with BJI after HSCT were included in the analysis.Results: Of 5861 patients, 33 (0.6%) developed BJI. Native joint septic arthritis was the most common BJI occurring in 15/33 (45.4%) patients. Patients were predominantly male (24/33, 72.7%), with median age of 58 (range 20-72) years. BJI was diagnosed a median of 39 (range 1-114) months after allogeneic (14/33, 42.4%) or autologous (19/33, 57.6%) HSCT. Organisms were recovered via tissue (24/27, 88.9%), synovial fluid (13/17, 76.5%), and/or blood cultures (16/25, 64%). Most underwent surgical debridement (23/33, 69.7%). Patients were followed a median of 78.3 months (range 74-119). Therapy was unsuccessful in 4/33 (12.1%), with death related to the underlying BJI in two (50%). Failure occurred a median of 3.4 (0.1-48.5) months from diagnosis. At last follow up, 7/33 (21.2%) patients were alive. Median overall survival was 13 months (0.07-70.6).Conclusion: BJI among HSCT recipients is infrequent. The most common infection is native joint septic arthritis. Pathogens appear similar to patients without HSCT. Treatment involving surgical-medical modalities is successful, with most patients surviving >1 year after BJI.

Download Full-text

Invasive aspergillosis in allogeneic stem cell transplant recipients: changes in epidemiology and risk factors

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2002-05-1496 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 100 (13) ◽

pp. 4358-4366 ◽

Cited By ~ 668

Author(s):

Kieren A. Marr ◽

Rachel A. Carter ◽

Michael Boeckh ◽

Paul Martin ◽

Lawrence Corey

Keyword(s):

Risk Factors ◽

Stem Cell ◽

Invasive Aspergillosis ◽

Respiratory Virus ◽

Stem Cell Transplant ◽

Myelogenous Leukemia ◽

Cell Transplant ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Cmv Disease

The incidence of postengraftment invasive aspergillosis (IA) in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) recipients increased during the 1990s. We determined risks for IA and outcomes among 1682 patients who received HSCTs between January 1993 and December 1998. Risk factors included host variables (age, underlying disease), transplant variables (stem cell source), and late complications (acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease [GVHD], receipt of corticosteroids, secondary neutropenia, cytomegalovirus [CMV] disease, and respiratory virus infection). We identified risk factors associated with IA early after transplantation (≤ 40 days) and after engraftment (41-180 days). Older patient age was associated with an increased risk during both periods. Chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) in chronic phase was associated with low risk for early IA compared with other hematologic malignancies, aplastic anemia, and myelodysplastic syndrome. Multiple myeloma was associated with an increased risk for postengraftment IA. Use of human leukocyte antigen (HLA)–matched related (MR) peripheral blood stem cells conferred protection against early IA compared with use of MR bone marrow, but use of cord blood increased the risk of IA early after transplantation. Factors that increased risks for IA after engraftment included receipt of T cell–depleted or CD34-selected stem cell products, receipt of corticosteroids, neutropenia, lymphopenia, GVHD, CMV disease, and respiratory virus infections. Very late IA (> 6 months after transplantation) was associated with chronic GVHD and CMV disease. These results emphasize the postengraftment timing of IA; risk factor analyses verify previously recognized risk factors (GVHD, receipt of corticosteroids, and neutropenia) and uncover the roles of lymphopenia and viral infections in increasing the incidence of postengraftment IA in the 1990s.

Download Full-text

1098. Norovirus Infection in Cancer Patients Undergoing Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell Immunotherapy (CAR-T)

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofaa439.1284 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽

pp. S578-S579

Author(s):

Divya S Kondapi ◽

Sasirekha Ramani ◽

Adilene Olvera ◽

Robert L Atmar ◽

Mary K Estes ◽

...

Keyword(s):

T Cell ◽

Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽

Lymphocytic Leukemia ◽

Nucleic Acid Amplification ◽

High Dose ◽

Cell Transplant ◽

Research Support ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Car T Cell ◽

Car T

Abstract Background CAR-T is used to treat certain refractory hematological malignancies. B-cell aplasia and immunosuppression used to treat CAR-T side effects increase infection risk. Little data are available describing Norovirus (NoV) infections in CAR-T recipients. Methods We reviewed the medical records of 134 patients with NoV diarrhea (identified by nucleic acid amplification test) between 2016-2019. Of these patients, nine received CAR-T prior to developing NoV. Here we describe their demographics, clinical characteristics, treatments, and complications. Results The median age was 49 years (Table 1). Patients’ underlying malignancies included Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (4), Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (3), Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (1) and metastatic Sarcoma (1). Prior to development of NoV, six patients had undergone hematopoietic stem cell transplant, and 1 had received checkpoint inhibitor therapy. Five patients experienced cytokine release syndrome after CAR-T, and 1 experienced CAR-T-related encephalopathy syndrome (Table 2). Two patients received interleukin-6 antagonist therapy, and one received high dose steroids. Time to diarrhea onset post-CAR-T cell infusion was variable(median 256days, IQR 26-523 days).Six had an absolute lymphocyte count< 1000/mm3 at diarrhea onset. Three had diarrhea for >14 days; median diarrhea duration in the other 6 patients was 4 days. Other GI complaints included abdominal pain (3), nausea (4), and vomiting (3). For NoV treatment, three received oral immunoglobulin, and 8 received Nitazoxanide. Complications included development of concomitant GI-GVHD(5), ileus (2), need for TPN (3), renal failure requiring dialysis (2), ICU stay (3), and death (2). Two patients were co-infected with other enteropathogens such as rotavirus, enteropathogenic and enteroaggregative E.Coli and Clostridioides difficile. Three patients with diarrhea lasting >14 days had serial samples collected over time; NoV shedding lasted 81-546 days. NoV was genotyped in 6 patients(Table 3) and included GII.2(2), GII.4(2), GII.6(1) and GII.12(1). Table 1: Patient characteristics (N=9) Table 2: CAR-T related factors Table 3: NoV Genotypes Conclusion NoV belonging to various genotypes is an important cause of acute and chronic diarrhea in patients receiving CAR-T cell therapy. Disclosures Adilene Olvera, MPH MLS (ASCP), MERK (Grant/Research Support, Scientific Research Study Investigator) Robert L. Atmar, MD, Takeda Vaccines, Inc. (Grant/Research Support) Mary K. Estes, PhD, Takeda Vaccines (Consultant, Grant/Research Support)

Download Full-text

A case of pneumonia and sepsis in cirrhosis as paradigm of the problems in the management of bacterial infections in cirrhosis and of the limitations of current knowledge

Italian Journal of Medicine ◽

10.4081/itjm.2013.209 ◽

2013 ◽

pp. 209-214

Author(s):

Manuel Tufoni ◽

Alessandra Tovoli ◽

Caterina Maggioli ◽

Lucia Napoli ◽

Carmen Serena Ricci ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Liver Cirrhosis ◽

Hepatic Encephalopathy ◽

Hepatitis C ◽

Antibiotic Therapy ◽

Bacterial Infection ◽

Bacterial Infections ◽

Clinical Presentation ◽

Current Knowledge ◽

Empirical Antibiotic Therapy ◽

Increased Risk

Bacterial infections are a major problem in the management of liver cirrhosis. They represent the first precipitating cause of death since patients with cirrhosis carry an increased risk of sepsis, sepsis-induced organ failure and death. Although the clinical presentation is often misleading, the presence of bacterial infection should always be actively searched and ruled out with certainty whenever a cirrhotic patient is admitted to the hospital with an acute clinical deterioration. Major changes in the epidemiology of bacterial infections have also occurred in the last decade making the choice of empirical antibiotic therapy a challenge. We report a paradigmatic case of a 54-year old man with hepatitis C-related cirrhosis admitted to the hospital for worsening of his ascites and onset of hepatic encephalopathy, an excellent example for the difficulties of management of sepsis in cirrhosis and the limits of current knowledge.

Download Full-text

RhizomucorandScedosporiumInfection Post Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplant

Case Reports in Medicine ◽

10.1155/2011/830769 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 2011 ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Dânia Sofia Marques ◽

Carlos Pinho Vaz ◽

Rosa Branca ◽

Fernando Campilho ◽

Catarina Lamelas ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Stem Cell ◽

Hematopoietic Stem Cell ◽

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant ◽

Stem Cell Transplant ◽

Fungal Infections ◽

Invasive Fungal Infections ◽

Unrelated Donor ◽

Cell Transplant ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Increased Risk

Hematopoietic stem-cell transplant recipients are at increased risk of developing invasive fungal infections. This is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. We report a case of a 17-year-old male patient diagnosed with severe idiopathic acquired aplastic anemia who developed fungal pneumonitis due toRhizomucor sp.and rhinoencephalitis due toScedosporium apiospermum6 and 8 months after undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplant from an HLA-matched unrelated donor. Discussion highlights risk factors for invasive fungal infections (i.e., mucormycosis and scedosporiosis), its clinical features, and the factors that must be taken into account to successfully treat them (early diagnosis, correction of predisposing factors, aggressive surgical debridement, and antifungal and adjunctive therapies).

Download Full-text

Chlorhexidine bathing to reduce CLABSI in hematopoietic stem cell transplant and hematologic malignancy patients.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2012.30.34_suppl.119 ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 30 (34_suppl) ◽

pp. 119-119

Author(s):

Christina Reeber ◽

Kelly Bailey ◽

Carrie Nemec ◽

Robert A. Salata ◽

Kathleen Gonzalez

Keyword(s):

Stem Cell ◽

Adverse Effects ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Hematopoietic Stem Cell ◽

Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant ◽

Stem Cell Transplant ◽

Cell Transplant ◽

Hematopoietic Stem ◽

Skin Integrity ◽

Clabsi Rate

119 Background: At University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center (UHSCC), adult patients with hematologic malignancies (HM) and those undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) require a central venous catheter nearly 100% of the time. According to the National Health Safety Network (NSHN), for permanent and temporary line days, the pooled mean infection rate in 2009 was 3.5 and 4.1, respectively. Catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) lead to increased morbidity, mortality, length of stay, and cost. At UHSCC, the CLABSI rate for patients on the HM service from August 2010 through August 2011 was 8.0. Methods: It has been demonstrated that the use of Chlorhexidine (CHG) wipes has decreased the CLABSI rate in ICU and long term care patients. We were unable to identify literature evidence or medical centers currently using CHG bathing wipes in their cancer patients, specifically HSCT. A quality improvement project on the effectiveness of CHG bathing on the HSCT and HM populations commenced on April 2, 2012, at UHSCC. This study is also monitoring skin integrity to determine if there are adverse effects. Patient satisfaction is also being assessed. Results: Early results demonstrate a reduction in overall CLABSI rate to 4.3%, and no vancomycin resistant enterococcus (VRE) infections were observed since early April. Adverse effects on skin integrity have not been noted. An unanticipated obstacle is related to the “culture of bathing.” Specifically, caregivers and patients often do not understanding the importance of daily bathing as a key clinical intervention despite repeated education. The team continues to investigate this issue. Conclusions: CHG bathing appears to be an effective, well-tolerated, and minimally invasive intervention in preventing CLABSI in severely immunocompromised cancer patients. Unanticipated obstacles to implementing daily bathing have been encountered and are being addressed. During the course of this project, we also began tracking our CLABSI rate for the entire patient population on the HM HSCT nursing unit along with the service-based rate noted above.

Download Full-text