scholarly journals Risk factors and biofilm formation analyses of hospital-acquired infection of Candida pelliculosa in a neonatal intensive care unit

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhijie Zhang ◽  
Yu Cao ◽  
Yanjian Li ◽  
Xufang Chen ◽  
Chen Ding ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Risk Factors ◽  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Anti Fungal ◽  
Hospital Acquired ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background Candida pelliculosa is an ecological fungal species that can cause infections in immunocompromised individuals. Numerous studies globally have shown that C. pelliculosa infects neonates. An outbreak recently occurred in our neonatal intensive care unit; therefore, we aimed to evaluate the risk factors in this hospital-acquired fungal infection. Methods We performed a case-control study, analysing the potential risk factors for neonatal infections of C. pelliculosa so that infection prevention and control could be implemented in our units. Isolated strains were tested for drug resistance and biofilm formation, important factors for fungal transmission that give rise to hospital-acquired infections. Results The use of three or more broad-spectrum antimicrobials or long hospital stays were associated with higher likelihoods of infection with C. pelliculosa. The fungus was not identified on the hands of healthcare workers or in the environment. All fungal isolates were susceptible to anti-fungal medications, and after anti-fungal treatment, all infected patients recovered. Strict infection prevention and control procedures efficiently suppressed infection transmission. Intact adhesin-encoding genes, shown by genome analysis, indicated possible routes for fungal transmission. Conclusions The use of three or more broad-spectrum antimicrobials or a lengthy hospital stay is theoretically associated with the risk of infection with C. pelliculosa. Strains that we isolated are susceptible to anti-fungal medications, and these were eliminated by treating all patients with an antifungal. Transmission is likely via adhesion to the cell surface and biofilm formation.

Evolution of the environmental microbiota of a new neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and implications for infection prevention and control

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Philip Zachariah ◽  
Felix D. Rozenberg ◽  
Stephania Stump ◽  
Dagmara I. Moscoso ◽  
Ganga Krishnamurthy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Patient Transfer ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Differential Abundance ◽  
And Control

Abstract Objective: To describe changes in the environmental microbiota of a new neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and potential implications for infection prevention and control (IPC) efforts. Design: Prospective observational study. Setting: A newly constructed level IV neonatal cardiac intensive care unit (NCICU) before and after patient introduction and the original NICU prior to patient transfer. Methods: Environmental samples were obtained from the original NICU prior to patient transfer to a new NCICU. Serial sampling of patient rooms and provider areas of the new NICU was conducted immediately prior to patient introduction and over an 11-month study period. Microbiota at each sampling point were characterized using Illumina sequencing of the V3/V4 region of the 16S rRNA gene. Microbiota characteristics (α and β diversity and differential abundance) were compared based on time, location, and clinical factors (room-level antibiotic use and patient turnover). Results: An immediate increase in the environmental differential abundance of gut anaerobes were seen after patient introduction. There was an increase in the relative abundance of Staphylococcus spp, Klebsiella spp, Pseudomonas spp, and Streptococcus spp over time. The new NCICU consistently showed more diverse microbiota and remained distinct from the original NICU. The microbiota of the provider areas of the NCICU eventually formed a cluster separate from the patient rooms. Patient turnover increased room-level microbiota diversity. Conclusion: Microbiota characteristics of the new NICU were distinct from the original ICU despite housing similar patients. Patient and provider areas developed distinct microbiota profiles. Non–culture-based methods may be a useful adjunct to current IPC practice.

A Decrease in the Number of Cases of Necrotizing Enterocolitis Associated with the Enhancement of Infection Prevention and Control Measures during aStaphylococcus aureusOutbreak in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

2012 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 29-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brigitte Lemyre ◽  
Wenlong Xiu ◽  
Nicole Rouvinez Bouali ◽  
Janet Brintnell ◽  
Jo-Anne Janigan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Birth Weight ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Prevention And Control Measures ◽  
And Control

Objective.Most cases of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) are sporadic, but outbreaks in hospital settings suggest an infectious cause. Our neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) experienced an outbreak of methicillin-sensitiveStaphylococcus aureus(MSSA). We aimed to assess whether the enhancement of infection prevention and control measures would be associated with a reduction in the number of cases of NEC.Design.Retrospective chart review.Setting.A 24-bed, university-affiliated, inborn level 3 NICU.Participants.Infants of less than 30 weeks gestation or birth weight ≤ 1,500 g admitted to the NICU between January 2007 and December 2008 were considered at risk of NEC. All cases of NEC were reviewed.Interventions.Infection prevention and control measures, including hand hygiene education, were enhanced during the outbreak. Avoidance of overcapacity in the NICU was reinforced, environmental services (ES) measures were enhanced, and ES hours were increased.Results.Two hundred eighty-two at-risk infants were admitted during the study. Their gestational age and birth weight (mean ± SD) were 28.2 ± 2.7 weeks and 1,031 ± 290 g, respectively. The proportion of NEC was 18/110 (16.4%) before the outbreak, 1/54 (1.8%) during the outbreak, and 4/118 (3.4%) after the outbreak. After adjustment for gestational age, birth weight, gender, and singleton versus multiple births, the proportion was lower in the postoutbreak period than in the preoutbreak period (P< .002).Conclusion.Although this observational study cannot establish a causal relationship, there was a significant decrease in the incidence of NEC following implementation of enhanced infection prevention and control measures to manage an MSSA outbreak.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2012;33(1):29-33

Disconnects in design and infection prevention and control – how the design of products and the environment in neonatal intensive care may be undermining infection prevention practice

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
pp. 44-49 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chantal Trudel ◽  
Sue Cobb ◽  
Kathryn Momtahan ◽  
Janet Brintnell ◽  
Ann Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Transmission ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
And Control

This study examined the role design plays in infection prevention and control within an existing neonatal intensive care unit. Methods from human-centred design such as planning, stakeholder meetings and naturalistic observation were used to obtain infection prevention information related to the existing unit design, interactions with products and the environment, and perspectives of front-line staff on design. Thematic analysis was used to categorize and structure the issues that were identified. The analysis revealed that the design of products and the environment may be undermining best practice in infection prevention. Health care workers experience a variety of difficulties in maintaining the recommended barriers to infection transmission, difficulties which stem from deficiencies in products and the environment. Various aspects of the neonatal care design lack the feedback or supports needed to help health care workers differentiate or work between infection transmission zones making the design challenging to use or maintain in a manner that supports best practice in infection prevention. Identifying issues in the design of products and the environment related to infection prevention practice led to the development of a ‘Design Exploration Guide’. The guide outlines issues and strategies for remediation based on feasibility within the project constraints.

Challenges facing psychiatric intensive care during COVID-19: mitigating the risk of transmission on a PICU

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (2) ◽  
pp. 89-94
Author(s):  
Ria Pugh ◽  
Luke Skelton ◽  
Lucy Blake ◽  
Margaret Butler ◽  
Bethan Harries ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Intensive Care Unit ◽  
Intensive Care ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Care Services ◽  
Control Protocols ◽  
And Control

This is the second of five brief reports which document the experience of a London psychiatric intensive care unit (PICU) which faced an outbreak of COVID-19 infection relatively early in the pandemic. The aim is to share what was learnt and examine the challenges which lie ahead for psychiatric intensive care services. This article will present how the PICU adapted to the changing landscape with consideration of the COVID-19 infectious window, infection prevention and control protocols and the unique challenges faced by PICU services.

Disconnects in design and infection prevention and control – how the design of products and the environment in neonatal intensive care may be undermining infection prevention practice

2016 ◽  
Vol 60 (1) ◽  
pp. 691-696
Author(s):  
Chantal Trudel ◽  
Sue Cobb ◽  
Kathryn Momtahan ◽  
Janet Brintnell ◽  
Ann Mitchell
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Health Care Workers ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Transmission ◽  
Care Workers ◽  
And Control

This study examined the role design plays in infection prevention and control within an existing neonatal intensive care unit. Methods from human-centred design such as planning, stakeholder meetings and naturalistic observation were used to obtain infection prevention information related to the existing unit design, interactions with products and the environment, and perspectives of front-line staff on design. Thematic analysis was used to categorize and structure the issues that were identified. The analysis revealed that the design of products and the environment may be undermining best practice in infection prevention. Health care workers experience a variety of difficulties in maintaining the recommended barriers to infection transmission, difficulties which stem from deficiencies in products and the environment. Various aspects of the neonatal care design lack the feedback or supports needed to help health care workers differentiate or work between infection transmission zones making the design challenging to use or maintain in a manner that supports best practice in infection prevention. Identifying issues in the design of products and the environment related to infection prevention practice led to the development of a ‘Design Exploration Guide’. The guide outlines issues and strategies for remediation based on feasibility within the project constraints.

scholarly journals Organizational culture and its implications on infection prevention and control

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (10) ◽  
pp. 865-868
Author(s):  
R Baral
Keyword(s):  
Organizational Culture ◽  
Hand Hygiene ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Hospital Acquired Infection ◽  
Hygiene Practices ◽  
Life Threatening ◽  
Hospital Acquired ◽  
And Control

The hospital acquired infections are becoming common in our hospitals lately. These infections are difficult to treat and maybe life threatening. Hospital acquired infection  can be minimized or eradicated by good Infection Prevention and Control guidelines and good hand hygiene practices. The success of Infection Prevention and Control guidelines program in any hospital is largely impacted by the organizational culture.  In any health care setting the management is challenged by the organizational culture to change of any kind. Where implementation of Infection Prevention and Control guidelines program is easily implemented in some hospitals it is very difficult in others. Moreover, hand hygiene is not only biomedical practice but also has more behavioral factors. 

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