Investigation of an XDR-Acinetobacter baumannii ST2 outbreak in an intensive care unit of a Lebanese tertiary care hospital

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (16) ◽  
pp. 1535-1542
Author(s):  
Marwan Osman ◽  
Fatima B Halimeh ◽  
Rayane Rafei ◽  
Hassan Mallat ◽  
Jad El Tom ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Tertiary Care Hospital ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Care Hospital ◽  
Prevention And Control Measures ◽  
And Control

Aim: We sought to investigate the genetic epidemiological relatedness of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) strains of a suspected outbreak in a Lebanese tertiary care hospital to implement necessary infection prevention and control measures. Methods: Twenty-eight nonduplicate CRAB isolates detected among hospitalized patients between January 2016 and July 2017 were studied by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and multilocus sequence typing analyses. Results: Twenty-seven isolates harbored blaOXA-23, of which one also carried blaNDM-1. The isolates distributed temporally in two presumably episodes were stratified by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis into many clusters. Although several clones have become endemic in the hospital, we have rapidly implemented appropriate infection prevention and control measures, achieving full eradication from August 2017 to November 2019. Conclusion: We have successfully investigated and controlled a polyclonal outbreak of OXA-23 producing ST2 CRAB.

scholarly journals Improving knowledge, attitudes and practice to prevent COVID-19 transmission in healthcare workers and the public in Thailand

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rapeephan R. Maude ◽  
Monnaphat Jongdeepaisal ◽  
Sumawadee Skuntaniyom ◽  
Thanomvong Muntajit ◽  
Stuart D. Blacksell ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
General Public ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Healthcare Workers ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
The Public ◽  
Educational Videos ◽  
Prevention And Control Measures ◽  
And Control

Abstract Background Key infection prevention and control measures to limit transmission of COVID-19 include social distancing, hand hygiene, use of facemasks and personal protective equipment. However, these have limited or no impact if not applied correctly through lack of knowledge, inappropriate attitude or incorrect practice. In order to maximise the impact of infection prevention and control measures on COVID-19 spread, we undertook a study to assess and improve knowledge, attitudes and practice among 119 healthcare workers and 100 general public in Thailand. The study setting was two inpatient hospitals providing COVID-19 testing and treatment. Detailed information on knowledge, attitudes and practice among the general public and healthcare workers regarding COVID-19 transmission and its prevention were obtained from a combination of questionnaires and observations. Results Knowledge of the main transmission routes, commonest symptoms and recommended prevention methods was mostly very high (> 80%) in both groups. There was lower awareness of aerosols, food and drink and pets as sources of transmission; of the correct duration for handwashing; recommended distance for social/physical distancing; and about recommended types of face coverings. Information sources most used and most trusted were the workplace, work colleagues, health workers and television. The results were used to produce a set of targeted educational videos which addressed many of these gaps with subsequent improvements on retesting in a number of areas. This included improvements in handwashing practice with an increase in the number of areas correctly washed in 65.5% of the public, and 57.9% of healthcare workers. The videos were then further optimized with feedback from participants followed by another round of retesting. Conclusions Detailed information on gaps in knowledge, attitudes and practice among the general public and healthcare workers regarding COVID-19 transmission and its prevention were obtained from a combination of questionnaires and observations. This was used to produce targeted educational videos which addressed these gaps with subsequent improvements on retesting. The resulting videos were then disseminated as a resource to aid in efforts to fight COVID-19 in Thailand and worldwide.

AMR: effective infection prevention and control measures

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (8) ◽  
pp. 390-395
Author(s):  
Naomi Fleming
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Infection Prevention ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Infection Prevention And Control ◽  
Drug Resistant ◽  
Practice Nurses ◽  
Prevention And Control Measures ◽  
Spread Of Infection ◽  
And Control

Antimicrobial resistance is on the rise. As more infections are becoming resistant to antibiotic treatment, it would benefit practice nurses to be aware of the effective measures they can use to prevent the spread of infection, explains Naomi Fleming When micro-organisms are exposed to an antimicrobial, more susceptible organisms succumb, leaving behind those resistant to the antimicrobial. They can then pass on resistance to their offspring. The use and misuse of antimicrobials has increased the number and types of resistant organisms. As a result, standard treatments become ineffective and infections persist and may spread. Infection prevention and control (IPC) is key to reducing demand for antimicrobial use and reducing the acquisition of antimicrobial resistance. Poor IPC can increase the spread of drug-resistant infections. Interventions such as effective hand hygiene and vaccination have significant potential to limit opportunities for drug-resistant strains to emerge. Effective leadership is vital and nurses are central to promoting IPC, leading on IPC compliance and ensuring uptake of vaccination in primary care.

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