Impact of COVID-19 on healthcare-associated infections: Antimicrobial consumption does not follow antimicrobial resistance

Abstract Background This study aimed to analyze the Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) rates and antimicrobial consumption in Intensive Care Units (ICU) in São Paulo city during the COVID-19 pandemic and compare them with the pre-pandemic period. Methods This cohort included all hospitals that reported HAI rates (Central-Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection ‒ CLABSI and Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia ‒ VAP), the proportion of microorganisms that caused CLABSI, the proportion of resistant microorganisms, and antimicrobial consumption from January 2017 ‒ December 2020. Hospitals were stratified by the number of beds, Central Venous Catheter (CVC) utilization rate, Mechanical-Ventilation (MV) utilization rate, and type of funding. Statistical analyses were based on time-series plots and regression models. Results 220 ICUs were included. The authors observed an abrupt increase in CLABSI rates after the pandemic onset. High CLABSI rates during the pandemic were associated with hospital size, funding (public and non-profit private), and low CVC use (≤ 50%). An increase in VAP rates was associated with public hospitals, and high MV use (> 35%). The susceptibility profile of microorganisms did not differ from that of the pre-pandemic period. polymyxin, glycopeptides, and antifungal use increased, especially in COVID-19 ICUs. Conclusions HAI increased during COVID-19. The microorganisms' susceptibility profile did not change with the pandemic, but the authors observed a disproportionate increase in large-spectrum antimicrobial drug use.

Frequency and factors associated with hospital readmission after COVID-19 hospitalization: the importance of post-COVID diarrhea

Abstract Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe the incidence and risk factors for hospital readmission and infection during the months after COVID-19 hospital admission. Methods: This prospective study included adult patients who were hospitalized due to COVID-19 and had been discharged from April 2020 to August 2020. All patients had a medical evaluation with a structured questionnaire 6 to 11 months after hospital admission. The authors included only patients with confirmed COVID-19 by RT-PCR. Patients with pregnant/postpartum women, with a proven COVID-19 reinfection or incapable of answering the questionnaire were excluded. Results: A total of 822 patients completed the follow-up assessment, and 68% reportedat least one recurrent symptom related to COVID-19. The most frequent symptom was myalgia (42%). Thirty-two percent of patients visited an emergency room after COVID-19 hospitalization, and 80 (10%) patients required re-hospitalization. Risk factors for hospital readmission were orotracheal intubation during COVID-19 hospitalization (p = 0.003, OR = 2.14), Charlson score (p = 0.002, OR = 1.21), congestive heart failure (p = 0.005, OR = 2.34), peripheral artery disease (p = 0.06, OR= 2.06) and persistent diarrhea after COVID-19 hospitalization discharge (p= 0.02, OR = 1.91). The main cause of hospital readmission was an infection, 43 (54%). Pneumonia was the most frequent infection (29%). Conclusions: The presence of symptoms after six months of COVID-19 diagnosis was frequent, and hospital readmission was relatively high. HIGHLIGHTS 32% of the patients visited an emergency room after COVID-19 hospitalization. The rate of hospital readmission after COVID-19 hospitalization is high, in the present sample 10% of patients needed a second hospitalization in 6-months Patients with persistent diarrhea after COVID-19 discharge had two times more chance to have another hospitalization in the next 6-months.

Surgery is unlikely to be enough for a patient to stop smoking 24 h prior to hospital admission / É improvável que a cirurgia seja suficiente para que o paciente pare de fumar 24 horas antes da internação hospitalar

Abstract Introduction The need for surgery can be a decisive factor for long-term smoking cessation. On the other hand, situations that precipitate stress could precipitate smoking relapse. The authors decided to study the impact of a surgery on the patient's effort to cease smoking for, at least, 24 h before hospital admission and possible relapse on the last 24 h before hospital admission for ex-smokers. Methods Smoker, ex-smokers and non-smokers adults, either from pre-anesthetic clinic or recently hospital admitted for scheduled elective surgeries that were, at most, 6 h inside the hospital buildings were included in the study. The patients answered a questionnaire at the ward or at the entrance of the operating room (Admitted group) or at the beginning of the first pre-anesthetic consultation (Clinic group) and performed CO measurements. Results 241 patients were included, being 52 ex-smokers and 109 never smokers and 80 non-smokers. Smokers had higher levels of expired carbon monoxide than non-smokers and ex-smokers (9.97 ± 6.50 vs. 2.26 ± 1.65 vs. 2.98 ± 2.69; p = 0.02). Among the smokers, the Clinic group had CO levels not statistically different of those on the Admitted group (10.93 ± 7.5 vs. 8.65 ± 4.56; p = 0.21). The ex-smokers presented with no significant differences for the carbon monoxide levels between the Clinic and Admitted groups (2.9 ± 2.3 vs. 2.82 ± 2.15; p = 0.45). Conclusion A medical condition, such as a surgery, without proper assistance is unlikely to be enough for a patient to stop smoking for, at least, 24 h prior to admission. The proximity of a surgery was not associated with smoking relapse 24 h before the procedure.

Resumo Introdução A necessidade de cirurgia pode ser um fator decisivo para a cessação do tabagismo em longo prazo. Por outro lado, situações que precipitam o estresse podem precipitar a recaída do tabagismo. Decidimos avaliar o impacto de uma cirurgia no esforço do paciente para deixar de fumar durante pelo menos 24 horas antes da internação hospitalar e a possível recaída nas últimas 24 horas anteriores à internação em ex-fumantes. Métodos Fumantes, ex-fumantes e não fumantes adultos, quer de clínica pré-anestésica ou recentemente internados para cirurgias eletivas programadas que ficariam, no máximo, seis horas dentro das unidades hospitalares, foram incluídos no estudo. Os pacientes responderam um questionário na enfermaria ou na entrada da sala de operação (Grupo Internação) ou no início da primeira consulta pré-anestesia (Grupo Clínico) e fizeram mensurações dos níveis de CO. Resultados No total, 241 pacientes foram incluídos: 52 ex-fumantes, 109 que nunca fumaram e 80 não fumantes. Os fumantes apresentaram níveis mais elevados de monóxido de carbono expirado que os não fumantes e ex-fumantes (9,97 ± 6,50 vs. 2,26 ± 1,65 vs. 2,98 ± 2,69;p = 0,02). Entre os fumantes, o Grupo Clínico apresentou níveis de CO não estatisticamente diferentes daqueles do Grupo Internação (10,93 ± 7,5 vs. 8,65 ± 4,56; p = 0,21). Os ex-fumantes não apresentaram diferenças significativas entre os grupos Clínico e Internação para os níveis de monóxido de carbono (2,9 ± 2,3 vs. 2,82 ± 2,15; p = 0,45). Conclusão É improvável que uma condição médica, como uma cirurgia, sem assistência adequada seja suficiente para que um paciente pare de fumar, pelo menos, 24 horas antes da internação. A proximidade de uma cirurgia não foi associada à recaída do tabagismo nas 24 horas anteriores ao procedimento.