Investigating potential drivers of increased central line-associated bloodstream infections during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Omicron surge.

Central line-associated bloodstream infection rates increased during the Omicron surge at our rural academic medical center. To identify potential drivers of this increase, we investigated period- and patient-specific factors associated with the increase in CLABSI. Increased central line utilization, decreased central line bundle compliance monitoring, increased proportion of traveling nurses, increased short-term venous catheter use in internal jugular vein, increased multi-lumen catheter use, decreased port-associated infection, and increased patient acuity were significantly associated with the surge. Our results helped us target our local infection prevention efforts.

PIN29 Evaluation of Healthcare Workers' Knowledge, Attitude and Practices Related to Covid-19: A Multicenter CROSS-Sectional Study from Pakistan

Objectives: To evaluate Pakistani healthcare workers' knowledge, attitude and preventive practices related to COVID-19. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the healthcare workers (medical doctors, nurses, pharmacists, physiotherapists, hospital technicians and technologists) providing services at seven hospitals of Punjab province of Pakistan. A self-administered questionnaire was used to evaluate COVID-19 related knowledge, attitude and practices. Results: A total of 458 healthcare workers were approached and 429 were recruited (response rate = 93%). The mean age of the participants was 29.8 ± 5.7 years, with majority of medical doctors (42%) followed by nurses (38%) and pharmacists (14.9%). All of the participants reported that they were aware of COVID-19 outbreak and social media was the major source (65%) of this information. Mean knowledge score was 12 ± 2.1, with 75.5% of participants having satisfactory knowledge of COVID-19. Doctors were found have significantly better knowledge scores than other healthcare workers (p = 0.001). Mean attitude score was 8.0 ± 1.2, with a wide majority of healthcare workers (86.5%) having positive attitudes. Regarding COVID-19 related preventive practices, around 64% reported of always covering nose and mouth with a tissue during sneezing or coughing and nearly 65% disposed of the dirty tissue in trash bins. Only 40% of the participants reported that ‘if they do not have tissue, they cough or sneeze into upper sleeve’. Only 56% reported of always washing their hands, with soap and water, quickly after coughing or sneezing or touching contaminated objects like a tissue. Overall, mean practice score was 23.3 ± 3.6, with 73.4% of healthcare professionals having satisfactory preventive practices. Conclusions: Although overall COVID-19 related knowledge, attitude and practices of Pakistani healthcare workers are satisfactory, there are some misconceptions and malpractices that must be addressed.