Molecular analysis of the prevalence of Acinetobacter baumannii in hospitals and the surrounding environments: a cross-sectional study

Acinetobacter baumannii is widely recognized in clinical environments due to its infectious capacity, antimicrobial adaptability, and lethality. Analyzing the prevalence of this agent in intra- and extra-hospital environments may reveal target indicators for appropriate management interventions. In this observational cross-sectional study, we evaluated the prevalence of A. baumannii within hospitals with intensive care units and in their external surroundings in a macro-health region of Brazil. Samples of Columba livia (pigeon) droppings from the external environment of four hospitals (n = 40), from floor surfaces (n = 20), and door handles (n = 20) of different hospital wards were collected based on random sampling, all of which were evaluated for the presence of A. baumannii using polymerase chain reactions (PCR). The sensitivity and specificity of the technique was verified after the collected samples were contaminated with clinical samples positive for A. baumannii. We detected a significantly higher A. baumannii prevalence (87.50%, CI = 71.29­100.00) in samples collected within the hospital environment compared with those obtained from the external environment (12.50%, CI = 0.00­28. 71) (p = 0.003). In addition, samples collected from floor surfaces contained bacterial densities (181.3 ± 11.58) that exceeded those in environmental (93.32 ± 1.56) and door handle (142.70 ± 17.14) samples by 94% and 78.71%, respectively. The findings of this study will enhance our understanding of the spatial distribution of A. baumannii and additionally, validate the efficiency of PCR for diagnosis of this infectious agent.

Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium isolated from pigeon droppings (Columba livia) in the external environment close to hospitals

ABSTRACT Background: Domestic pigeons carry pathogens in their droppings, posing a potential public health problem. Methods: The phenotypic and genotypic antimicrobial resistances of Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecium in the feces of urban pigeons near hospitals with intensive care units were measured. Results: Twenty-nine samples showed Enterococcus growth, whereas one was positive for S. aureus. The S. aureus isolate was sensitive to the antibiotics tested via antibiogram, however resistance genes were identified. E. faecium isolates showed phenotypic resistance to gentamicin, erythromycin, and ciprofloxacin. Conclusions: Antimicrobial profiles harmful to health were demonstrated in bacterial pathogens isolated from the external environment of hospitals.

Interprofessional relationships of a patient assistance team in critical care / Relaciones interprofesionales de un equipo de asistencia al paciente en cuidados críticos / Relações interprofissionais de uma equipe de assistência ao paciente em cuidados críticos

ABSTRACT Objectives: to identify perceptions of teamwork according to the professionals of an Adult Intensive Care Unit. Methods: descriptive research with qualitative approach. The methodological framework was thematic content analysis. The theoretical framework of the work process was used to guide the interpretation of the data. Data collection: A semi-structured interview was conducted with 38 professionals in a public teaching hospital in the state of Minas Gerais. Results: three thematic categories emerged from the interviews: Work Organization, which is related to work performed through tasks/routines, with or without coordinated actions; Non-material Work Instruments, which reveal that teamwork is based on communication/collaboration; Insufficient Material Resources, which indicate that lack of material creates conflicts between professionals. Conclusions: Teamwork requires effective communication and collaboration, integrated work and appropriate professional training. On the other hand, fragmentation and rigidity at work, poor collaboration/communication and lack of material make teamwork difficult. We emphasize the need to revise the curriculum of health courses, with a view to including and/or improving discussions about teamwork in order to train professionals for a more integrated and perhaps even sympathetic health practice.

RESUMEN Objetivos: identificar las percepciones del trabajo en equipo según los profesionales de una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos para Adultos. Métodos: se trata de una investigación descriptiva, con enfoque cualitativo. Se utilizó como guía metodológica el análisis de contenido y la modalidad temática y el marco teórico del proceso de trabajo para guiar la interpretación de los datos. La recolección de los datos se llevó a cabo mediante entrevista semiestructurada con 38 profesionales en un hospital-escuela público, ubicado en el interior de Minas Gerais. Resultados: de las entrevistas surgieron tres categorías temáticas: Organización del trabajo, que evidencia la labor realizada con tareas/rutinas, habiendo o no acciones coordinadas; Instrumentos no materiales de trabajo, que demuestran que el trabajo en equipo está fundamentado en la comunicación/colaboración; Recursos materiales insuficientes, que provocan conflictos entre los profesionales. Conclusiones: el trabajo en equipo requiere una comunicación y una colaboración eficaces, una labor integradora y una formación profesional adecuada. Por otro lado, la fragmentación y rigidez del trabajo, la escasa colaboración/comunicación y la falta de materiales dificultan el trabajo en equipo. Es necesario una revisión curricular de los cursos de salud con miras a la inserción y/o mejora de los debates sobre el trabajo en equipo, con el fin de instrumentar a los profesionales de la salud para una práctica sanitaria mejor coordinada y quizás, incluso, solidaria.

RESUMO Objetivos: identificar as percepções do trabalho em equipe segundo os profissionais de uma Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Adulto. Métodos: pesquisa descritiva, com abordagem qualitativa. Utilizou-se como orientação metodológica a análise de conteúdo, modalidade temática. Recorreu-se ao referencial teórico de processo de trabalho para guiar a interpretação dos dados. Coleta de dados: Realizada entrevista semiestruturada, com 38 profissionais em hospital público de ensino, localizado no interior de Minas Gerais. Resultados: das entrevistas, emergiram três categorias temáticas: Organização do trabalho, que evidencia trabalho realizado por meio de tarefas/rotinas, havendo ou não ações articuladas; Instrumentos não materiais do trabalho, os quais revelam que o trabalho em equipe fundamenta-se na comunicação/colaboração; Recursos materiais insuficientes, que indicam que falta de material gera conflitos entre profissionais. Conclusões: O trabalho em equipe requer comunicação e colaboração efetivas, trabalho integrado e formação profissional adequada. Por outro lado, fragmentação e rigidez no trabalho, pouca colaboração/comunicação e falta de material dificultam a realização do trabalho em equipe. Aposta-se na necessidade de revisão curricular dos cursos da saúde com vistas à inserção e/ou aprimoramento das discussões sobre trabalho em equipe a fim de instrumentalizar os profissionais para um fazer em saúde mais articulado e quem sabe até solidário.