Current Status of Infection Control of Multidrug Resistant Organisms in Hospitals with more than 200beds in the Republic of Korea

Abstract Background This study aimed to investigate psychological distress among infectious disease (ID) physicians during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in the Republic of Korea. Methods Using an online-based survey link sent via text message and email, we conducted a survey from April 21 to 25, 2020, targeting all ID physicians currently working in ID (n = 265). The questionnaire was based on the Maslach Burnout Inventory-Human Services Survey and the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales, and information was collected on factors protecting against psychological distress and difficulties in relation to COVID-19. Results Of 265 ID physicians, 115 (43.3%) responded, showing burnout (97, 90.4%), depression (20, 17.4%), anxiety (23, 20.0%), and stress (5, 4.3%). There were no differences in terms of distress between ID physicians who were directly involved in the care of patients with COVID-19 or not (Table 1). Greater than 50% of physicians valued their work and felt recognized by others, whereas < 10% indicated that sufficient human and financial support and private time had been provided during the outbreak. The most challenging issues concerned a lack of human resources for COVID-19 treatment or infection control, a shortage of personal protective equipment or airborne infection isolation rooms, pressure for research, and lack of guidelines for COVID-19 management (Figure 1). Table 1. Figure 1. Difficulties in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. Abbreviations: COVID-19, coronavirus disease 19; HCWs, healthcare workers; ICPs, infection control practitioners; IRB, Institutional Review Board; PPE, personal protective equipment Conclusion During the COVID-19 outbreak in the ROK, most respondents reported psychological distress. Preparing strategies for infectious disease outbreaks that support ID physicians is essential. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

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Hospital-acquired infections due to multidrug-resistant organisms in Hungary, 2005-2010

Eurosurveillance ◽

10.2807/ese.18.02.20352-en ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 18 (2) ◽

Author(s):

S Caini ◽

A Hajdu ◽

A Kurcz ◽

K Böröcz

Keyword(s):

Infection Control ◽

Multidrug Resistant ◽

Special Focus ◽

Gram Negative ◽

Hospital Acquired Infections ◽

Health Authorities ◽

Multidrug Resistant Organisms ◽

Public Health Authorities ◽

Gram Negative Organisms ◽

Hospital Acquired

Healthcare-associated infections caused by multidrug-resistant organisms are associated with prolonged medical care, worse outcome and costly therapies. In Hungary, hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) due to epidemiologically important multidrug-resistant organisms are notifiable by law since 2004. Overall, 6,845 case-patients (59.8% men; median age: 65 years) were notified in Hungary from 2005 to 2010. One third of case-patients died in hospital. The overall incidence of infections increased from 5.4 in 2005 to 14.7 per 100,000 patient-days in 2010. Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was the most frequently reported pathogen (52.2%), but while its incidence seemed to stabilise after 2007, notifications of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative organisms have significantly increased from 2005 to 2010. Surgical wound and bloodstream were the most frequently reported sites of infection. Although MRSA incidence has seemingly reached a plateau in recent years, actions aiming at reducing the burden of HAIs with special focus on Gram-negative multidrug-resistant organisms are needed in Hungary. Continuing promotion of antimicrobial stewardship, infection control methodologies, reinforced HAI surveillance among healthcare and infection control practitioners, and engagement of stakeholders, hospital managers and public health authorities to facilitate the implementation of existing guidelines and protocols are essential.

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Evaluation of the Current Status of Malaria Elimination Project in the Republic of Korea and Suggestion for Improvement of Its Efficacy

Infection and Chemotherapy ◽

10.3947/ic.2009.41.1.42 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 41 (1) ◽

pp. 42

Author(s):

Jae-Won Park ◽

Jee-Young Hong ◽

Joon-Sup Yeom ◽

Sung-Rae Cho ◽

Dae-Kyu Oh

Keyword(s):

Malaria Elimination ◽

Republic Of Korea ◽

Current Status ◽

The Republic

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The Recent Trend and Perspective of Infection Control in the Republic of Korea

Korean Journal of Nosocomial Infection Control ◽

10.14192/kjnic.2016.21.1.1 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

pp. 1 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Jin-Hong Yoo

Keyword(s):

Infection Control ◽

Recent Trend ◽

Republic Of Korea ◽

The Republic

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528. Longitudinal Evaluation of Chlorhexidine Resistance Among Multidrug-Resistant Organisms in Relation to Intervention of Daily Chlorhexidine Bathing in Adult Intensive Care Units

Open Forum Infectious Diseases ◽

10.1093/ofid/ofz360.597 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽

pp. S254-S254

Author(s):

Min Ja Kim ◽

You Seung Chung ◽

Hojin Lee ◽

Jin Woong Suh ◽

Yoojung Cheong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Intensive Care ◽

Intensive Care Units ◽

Clinical Laboratory ◽

Multidrug Resistant ◽

University Hospital ◽

Microdilution Method ◽

Broth Microdilution Method ◽

Multidrug Resistant Organisms ◽

Before And After ◽

The Republic

Abstract Background Chlorhexidine digluconate (CHG), the most widely used antiseptic, has recently been applied to patient washing to decolonize the multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), but there are little data on susceptibilities of MDROs to CHG. The purpose of this study was to evaluate CHG resistance among MDROs before and after the intervention of daily CHG bathing in adult intensive care units (ICUs). Methods The intervention of daily body washing with 2% CHG cloths were taken in adult patients the medical or surgical ICU of 23-bed by a crossover manner for 6 months (MICU, July to December 2017; SICU, January to June 2018) in a 1,050-bed, university hospital in the Republic of Korea. Available MDRO isolates were randomly selected from clinical cultures of ICU patients within 6 months before, during and after the intervention, including MRSA, MR-CoNS, VRE, Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CR-PA), CR-Acinetobacter baumannii (CR-AB). Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) were determined using the broth microdilution method set by the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute. Determination of the minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) was performed by subculturing 10 µL from each well without visible microbial growth. Cumulative amounts of CHG used in both ICUs was estimated across the study period from January 2008 to June 2018. Results The cumulative CHG consumption from both ICUs increased sharply from 27,503 g to 29,556 g after one-year intervention. The ranges of MICs and MBCs of CHG among MDRO clinical isolates selected by a 6-month phase are summarized in Table 1. Particularly, CR-PA and CR-AB isolates revealed four to eight times higher MICs and MBCs compared with the majority of Gram-positives excepting some VRE isolates. On the other hand, neither MICs and MBCs ranges of CHG from the MDRO isolates nor the monthly incidence of the MDROs from both ICUs were significantly increased before and after the intervention of daily CHG bathing. Conclusion This study indicates that some Gram-negative MDRO isolates with higher MICs and MBCs of CHG might be from longstanding exposure to CHG or efflux pumps. Although 2% daily CHG bathing uses over 1,000 times higher concentrations than the lethal concentration, it might be needed to monitor CHG resistance among MDROs. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

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Current Distribution and Status of Non-Native Freshwater Turtles in the Wild, Republic of Korea

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12104042 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (10) ◽

pp. 4042 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kyo Soung Koo ◽

Soorim Song ◽

Jae Hyeok Choi ◽

Ha-Cheol Sung

Keyword(s):

Environmental Factors ◽

Human Factors ◽

Native Species ◽

Natural Habitat ◽

Republic Of Korea ◽

Current Status ◽

Human Populations ◽

Freshwater Turtles ◽

In The Wild ◽

The Republic

Globally, an increase in the transportation and expansion of the pet market is the most important cause of the invasion of non-native species. Invasion of non-native species disturbs native ecosystems and leads to socio-economic problems. The pet trade involving turtles has been globally recognized as the route through which non-native species enter ecosystems. As a result, the invasion of non-native turtles worldwide is causing problems such as competition, predation, transmission of parasites, and hybridization with native turtles. Every year, both the number of non-native turtles imported as pets in the Republic of Korea and the number of introduced species found in the wild is increasing. However, the current status of non-native turtles in the wild is not well known, posing major challenges to their management. In this study, we aimed to determine the current status of non-native turtles introduced into the wild in Korea. We analyzed the factors associated with the detection and distribution of non-native turtles. In total, 1587 of non-native turtles (three families, six genera, and 13 species including subspecies) were found in 648 sites in Korea: Chelydra serpentina, Mauremys sinensis, Chrysemys picta bellii, Graptemys ouachitensis, G. pseudogeographica pseudogeographica, G. p. kohni, Pseudemys concinna, P. nelsoni, P. peninsularis, P. rubriventris, Trachemys scripta elegans, T. s. scripta, and T. s. troostii. There was relationship between the distribution of non-native turtles and environmental factors such as precipitation and temperature. Moreover, human factors such as number of human populations and size of region were significantly related with the distribution and number of non-native turtles. In conclusion, it is likely that human factors are associated with the influx of invasive turtles to the natural habitat, while the possibility of survival and adaption for the turtles is associated mainly with environmental factors. Our result will be an essential guideline not only for understanding the current status of non-native turtles in Korea, but also for establishing strategies for management and control.

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