Recommendations for treatment of critically ill patients with COVID-19 : Version 3 S1 guideline.

Since December 2019 a novel coronavirus (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, SARS-CoV-2) has rapidly spread around the world resulting in an acute respiratory illness pandemic. The immense challenges for clinicians and hospitals as well as the strain on many healthcare systems has been unprecedented.The majority of patients present with mild symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); however, 5-8% become critically ill and require intensive care treatment. Acute hypoxemic respiratory failure with severe dyspnea and an increased respiratory rate (>30/min) usually leads to intensive care unit (ICU) admission. At this point bilateral pulmonary infiltrates are typically seen. Patients often develop a severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).So far, remdesivir and dexamethasone have shown clinical effectiveness in severe COVID-19 in hospitalized patients. The main goal of supportive treatment is to ascertain adequate oxygenation. Invasive mechanical ventilation and repeated prone positioning are key elements in treating severely hypoxemic COVID-19 patients.Strict adherence to basic infection control measures (including hand hygiene) and correct use of personal protection equipment (PPE) are essential in the care of patients. Procedures that lead to formation of aerosols should be carried out with utmost precaution and preparation.

Automated surveillance systems for healthcare-associated infections: results from a European survey and experiences from real-life utilization.

BACKGROUND: As most automated surveillance (AS) methods to detect healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) have been developed and implemented in research settings, information about the feasibility of large-scale implementation is scarce. AIM: To describe key aspects of the design of AS systems and implementation in European institutions and hospitals. METHODS: An online survey was distributed via e-mail in February/March 2019 among (i) PRAISE (Providing a Roadmap for Automated Infection Surveillance in Europe) network members; (ii) corresponding authors of peer-reviewed European publications on existing AS systems; and (iii) the mailing list of national infection prevention and control focal points of the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Three AS systems from the survey were selected, based on quintessential features, for in-depth review focusing on implementation in practice. FINDINGS: Through the survey and the review of three selected AS systems, notable differences regarding the methods, algorithms, data sources, and targeted HAIs were identified. The majority of AS systems used a classification algorithm for semi-automated surveillance and targeted HAIs were mostly surgical site infections, urinary tract infections, sepsis, or other bloodstream infections. AS systems yielded a reduction of workload for hospital staff. Principal barriers of implementation were strict data security regulations as well as creating and maintaining an information technology infrastructure. CONCLUSION: AS in Europe is characterized by heterogeneity in methods and surveillance targets. To allow for comparisons and encourage homogenization, future publications on AS systems should provide detailed information on source data, methods, and the state of implementation.

Infection control in two COVID-19 patients with evidence for Candida Auris, Germany

Introduction: Candida auris is an emerging pathogen in hospital infections that can present multi-resistance to antifungals and causes outbreaks. Objectives: The aim is to describe the infection prevention and control for C. auris. Methods: Identification of yeast isolates was performed by MALDITOF and confirmed by ITS sequencing. Infection control measures were decided by a multi-disciplinary ad hoc outbreak panel. Patient screening once or twice a week and extensive environmental testing for C. auris was conducted. Results: C. auris was isolated from a urine sample of a COVID-19 patient who had been transferred from an Egyptian hospital to our COVID-19 intensive care unit (ICU). Immediately, disinfection routine was changed, because C. auris is insensitive to quaternary ammonium compounds. The patient had already been isolated from admission due to evidence of 4MRGN Klebsiella pneumoniae. Six days after confirmation of C. auris in the index patient, a second COVID-19 patient was identified with C. auris. Both patients were isolated in a separated area of the ICU. Strict hygiene and infection control measures were implemented promptly. In the nine weeks from initial confirmation of C. auris and discharge of the two affected patients, C. auris was repeatedly identified in clinical samples of them. However, it was not detected in any other patient on the ICU (n = 7) or discharged from it (n = 13) nor in any environmental sample (n = 129). The two C. auris patients had been intubated using the same video laryngoscope seven days apart. Although the equipment and the spatulas had been manually reprocessed using chlorine dioxide-soaked wipes they might serve as transmission vehicle. Therefore, it was recommended to use disposable spatulas. Conclusion: A rapid confirmation of a C. auris in the lab and the immediate implementation of adequate hygiene measures at the ward are crucial in order to prevent transmission of C. auris to other patients.

[S2k Guideline - Recommendations for Inpatient Therapy of Patients with COVID-19]. / S2k-Leitlinie ­ Empfehlungen zur stationären Therapie von Patienten mit COVID-19.

Since December 2019, the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome - Corona Virus-2) has been spreading rapidly in the sense of a global pandemic. This poses significant challenges for clinicians and hospitals and is placing unprecedented strain on the healthcare systems of many countries. The majority of patients with Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) present with only mild symptoms such as cough and fever. However, about 6 % require hospitalization. Early clarification of whether inpatient and, if necessary, intensive care treatment is medically appropriate and desired by the patient is of particular importance in the pandemic. Acute hypoxemic respiratory insufficiency with dyspnea and high respiratory rate (> 30/min) usually leads to admission to the intensive care unit. Often, bilateral pulmonary infiltrates/consolidations or even pulmonary emboli are already found on imaging. As the disease progresses, some of these patients develop acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Mortality reduction of available drug therapy in severe COVID-19 disease has only been demonstrated for dexamethasone in randomized controlled trials. The main goal of supportive therapy is to ensure adequate oxygenation. In this regard, invasive ventilation and repeated prone positioning are important elements in the treatment of severely hypoxemic COVID-19 patients. Strict adherence to basic hygiene, including hand hygiene, and the correct wearing of adequate personal protective equipment are essential when handling patients. Medically necessary actions on patients that could result in aerosol formation should be performed with extreme care and preparation.