Trends in infection-related patient safety incident reporting before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Korea.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the trends and characteristics of infection-related patient safety incident reporting before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Korea, and to provide basic data for preventing infection-related patient safety incidents and improving their management. Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of secondary national data (Patient Safety Reporting Data) was conducted. In total, 517 infection-related patient safety incidents reported from 2018 to 2021 were analyzed. Changes in the number of reports before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and differences in variables related to infection-related patient safety incidents were analyzed using the chi-square test and independent t-test in SPSS 29.0. Results: This study found that infection-related patient safety incidents decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to before the pandemic. Furthermore, incident-related characteristics, such as the type of healthcare organization, severity of harm, and post-incident actions, changed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusion: The many changes in the infection control system and practices during the COVID-19 pandemic may have contributed to a decrease in the reporting of infection-related patient safety incidents. It is hoped that longitudinal studies on patient safety incidents related to the pandemic and analytical studies on factors influencing patient safety incidents will continue to be conducted to prevent and improve patient safety incidents. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science is the property of Korean Society of Biological Nursing Science and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)

Impact of improving infection control and antibiotic stewardship practices on nosocomial infections and antimicrobial resistance in an oncology centre from India

Background: Improving basic infection control (IC) practices, diagnostics and anti-microbial stewardship (AMS) are key tools to handle antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Material(s) and Method(s): This is a retrospective study done over 6 years (2016-2021) in an oncology centre in North India with many on-going interventions to improve IC practices, diagnostics and AMS. This study looked into AMR patterns from clinical isolates, rates of hospital acquired infections (HAI) and clinical outcomes. Result(s): Over all, 98,915 samples were sent for culture from 158,191 admitted patients. Most commonly isolated organism was E. coli (n = 6951;30.1%) followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (n = 5801;25.1%) and Pseudomonas aeroginosa (n = 3041;13.1%). VRE (Vancomycin resistant Enterococcus) rates fell down from 43.5% in Jan-June 2016 to 12.2% in July-Dec 2021, same was seen in CR (carbapenem resistant) Pseudomonas (23.0%-20.6%, CR Acinetobacter (66.6%-17.02%) and CR E. coli (21.6%-19.4%) over the same study period. Rate of isolation of Candida spp. from non-sterile sites also showed reduction (1.68 per 100 patients to 0.65 per 100 patients). Incidence of health care associated infections also fell from 2.3 to 1.19 per 1000 line days for CLABSI, 2.28 to 1.88 per 1000 catheter days for CAUTI. There was no change in overall mortality rates across the study period. Conclusion(s): This study emphasizes the point that improving compliance to standard IC recommendations and improving diagnostics can help in reducing the burden of antimicrobial resistance.Copyright © 2023 Indian Association of Medical Microbiologists

The effectiveness of disinfection protocols in medical school osteopathic manipulative medicine labs.

CONTEXT: In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare-associated infections have taken center stage. Healthcare has adjusted workflows to accommodate for more robust disinfecting regiments to help protect the community. This has resulted in the need for medical institutions to reevaluate the current disinfection protocols down to the student level. The osteopathic manipulative medicine (OMM) laboratory provides an optimal avenue for assessing the effectiveness of medical students' ability to clean examination tables. With OMM laboratories having a high level of interaction, adequate disinfection is important for the health and safety of students and teaching faculties. OBJECTIVES: This study will evaluate the effectiveness of the current disinfection protocols in the medical school OMM labs. METHODS: A cross-sectional, nonrandomized study was performed on 20 OMM examination tables utilized for osteopathic training. Tables were chosen based on their close proximity to the podium. Close proximity was utilized as a criteria to increase the probability of utilization by students. The sampled tables were observed to ensure their use by students during class. Initial samples were collected in the morning after disinfection by Environmental Services. Terminal samples were collected after Osteopathic medical students utilized and disinfected the OMM examination tables. Samples were collected from the face-cradle and midtorso regions and analyzed utilizing adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence assays with an AccuPoint Advanced HC Reader. This reader provides a digital readout of the quantity of light measured in relative light units (RLUs), which is directly correlated to the amount of ATP present in the sample, providing an estimated pathogen count. For statistical analysis, a Wilcoxon signed-rank test was utilized to find statistical differences in RLUs in samples after initial and terminal disinfection. RESULTS: The face cradle showed a 40 % increase in failure rate in samples after terminal disinfection when samples were compared after initial disinfection. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test revealed an estimated pathogen level for face cradle that was significantly higher after terminal disinfection (median, 4,295 RLUs; range, 2,269-12919 RLUs; n=20) compared to initial disinfection (median, 769 RLUs; range, 29-2,422 RLUs; n=20), z=-3.8, p=0.00008, with a large effect size, d=2.2. The midtorso region showed a 75 % increase in samples after terminal disinfection when samples were compared after initial disinfection. A Wilcoxon signed-rank test revealed that the estimated pathogen levels for midtorso were significantly higher after terminal disinfecting (median, 656 RLUs; range, 112-1,922 RLUs; n=20) compared to initial disinfecting (median, 128 RLUs; range, 1-335 RLUs; n=20), z=-3.9, p=0.00012, with a large effect size, d=1.8. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that medical students frequently failed to disinfect high-touch regions on examination tables, such as the midtorso and the face cradle. It is recommended that the current OMM lab disinfection protocol be modified to include the disinfection of high-touch regions in order to reduce the possibility of pathogen transmission. Further research should explore the effectiveness of disinfection protocols in clinical settings such as outpatient offices.

Evaluating the cost implications of integrating SARS-CoV-2 genome sequencing for infection prevention and control investigation of nosocomial transmission within hospitals.

BACKGROUND: The COG-UK hospital-onset COVID-19 infection (HOCI) trial evaluated the impact of SARS-CoV-2 whole-genome sequencing (WGS) on acute infection, prevention, and control (IPC) investigation of nosocomial transmission within hospitals. AIM: To estimate the cost implications of using the information from the sequencing reporting tool (SRT), used to determine likelihood of nosocomial infection in IPC practice. METHODS: A micro-costing approach for SARS-CoV-2 WGS was conducted. Data on IPC management resource use and costs were collected from interviews with IPC teams from 14 participating sites and used to assign cost estimates for IPC activities as collected in the trial. Activities included IPC-specific actions following a suspicion of healthcare-associated infection (HAI) or outbreak, as well as changes to practice following the return of data via SRT. FINDINGS: The mean per-sample costs of SARS-CoV-2 sequencing were estimated at £77.10 for rapid and £66.94 for longer turnaround phases. Over the three-month interventional phases, the total management costs of IPC-defined HAIs and outbreak events across the sites were estimated at £225,070 and £416,447, respectively. The main cost drivers were bed-days lost due to ward closures because of outbreaks, followed by outbreak meetings and bed-days lost due to cohorting contacts. Actioning SRTs, the cost of HAIs increased by £5,178 due to unidentified cases and the cost of outbreaks decreased by £11,246 as SRTs excluded hospital outbreaks. CONCLUSION: Although SARS-CoV-2 WGS adds to the total IPC management cost, additional information provided could balance out the additional cost, depending on identified design improvements and effective deployment.

Molecular characterization of Candida auris outbreak isolates in Qatar from patients with COVID-19 reveals the emergence of isolates resistant to three classes of antifungal drugs.

OBJECTIVES: During the COVID-19 pandemic in Qatar, many patients who were severely ill were colonized and infected by Candida auris, an invasive multidrug-resistant yeast pathogen that spreads through nosocomial transmission within healthcare facilities. Here, we investigated the molecular epidemiology of these C. auris isolates and the mechanisms associated with antifungal drug resistance. METHODS: Whole genomes of 76 clinical C. auris isolates, including 65 from patients with COVID-19 collected from March 2020 to June 2021, from nine major hospitals were sequenced on Illumina NextSeq. Single nucleotide polymorphisms were used to determine their epidemiological patterns and mechanisms for antifungal resistance. The data were compared with those published prior to the COVID-19 pandemic from 2018 to 2020 in Qatar. RESULTS: Genomic analysis revealed low genetic variability among the isolates from patients with and without COVID-19, confirming a clonal outbreak and ongoing dissemination of C. auris among various healthcare facilities. Based on antifungal susceptibility profiles, more than 70% (22/28) of isolates were resistant to both fluconazole and amphotericin B. Variant analysis revealed the presence of multi-antifungal resistant isolates with prominent amino acid substitutions: Y132F in ERG11 and V704L in CDR1 linked to reduced azole susceptibility and the emergence of echinocandin resistance samples bearing mutations in FKS1 in comparison with pre-COVID-19 pandemic samples. One sample (CAS109) was resistant to three classes of antifungal drugs with a unique premature stop codon in ERG3 and novel mutations in CDR2, which may be associated with elevated amphotericin B and azole resistance. DISCUSSION: Candida auris isolates from patients with COVID-19 and from most patient samples without COVID-19 in Qatar were highly clonal. The data demonstrated the emergence of multidrug-resistant strains that carry novel mutations linked to enhanced resistance to azoles, echinocandins, and amphotericin B. Understanding the epidemiology and drug resistance will inform the infection control strategy and drug therapy.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare-associated infections at intensive care units in South Korea: data from the Korean National Healthcare-Associated Infections Surveillance System (KONIS).

BACKGROUND: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has influenced hospital infection control practices. AIM: To evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) in intensive care units (ICUs). METHODS: A retrospective analysis using data from the Korean National Healthcare-Associated Infections Surveillance System was conducted. Comparisons between incidence rates and micro-organism distributions of bloodstream infection (BSI), central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI), catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic were performed according to hospital size. FINDINGS: The incidence rate of BSI significantly decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-COVID-19 period (1.38 vs 1.23 per 10,000 patient-days, relative change -11.5%; P < 0.001). The incidence rate of VAP (1.03 vs 0.81 per 1000 device-days, relative change -21.4%; P < 0.001) significantly decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-COVID-19 period, whereas rates of CLABSI (2.30 vs 2.23 per 1000 device-days; P = 0.19) and CAUTI (1.26 vs 1.26 per 1000 device-days; P = 0.99) were similar between the two periods. The rates of BSI and CLABSI significantly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-COVID-19 period in large-sized hospitals, whereas these rates significantly decreased in small-to-medium-sized hospitals. The rates of CAUTI and VAP significantly decreased in small-sized hospitals. There were no significant changing trends in the rates of multidrug-resistant pathogens isolated from patients with HAI between the two periods. CONCLUSION: The incidence rates of BSI and VAP in ICUs decreased during the COVID-19 pandemic compared to the pre-COVID-19 period. This decrease was mainly seen in small-to-medium-sized hospitals.

Antibiotic therapy of Acinetobacter baumannii bloodstream infection in COVID-19 patients

Secondary bacterial infection is one of the important risk factors for the development of severe course and death in COVID-19. The rational choice of antibacterial therapy is based on the data of microbiological monitoring of pathogens of healthcare-associated infections. The aim of the study is to determine the main options for antibiotic therapy of Acinetobacter baumannii bloodstream infection in COVID-19 patients. Material and methods. A retrospective, single-centre, uncontrolled study of the incidence of A. baumannii bacteremia in COVID-19 patients treated at the City Clinical Hospital No. 52 in Moscow from October 2020 to September 2021 was performed. For each strain of A. baumannii sensitivity to the main antibacterial agents was determined. Genetic determinants of antibiotic resistance were studied by real-time multiplex polymerase chain reaction. The main therapeutic options for A. baumannii bloodstream infection were analyzed. Results and discussion. Bloodstream infections were diagnosed in 4.7% of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 (758/16 047). Gram-negative bacteria were the causative agents of bloodstream infections in 76% of cases. A. baumannii were isolated from the blood of 143 patients (0.89%). Detection of the pathogen in the blood of COVID-19 patients was associated with severe and extremely severe course of the disease. Most of the strains (93%) were isolated in the intensive care unit. The A. baumannii strains studied were carbapenem-resistant (CRAb) and phenotypically belonged to the XDR class. According to a PCR study, A. baumannii strains were producers of oxacillinases OXA-23, OXA-40, and OXA-51. Conclusion. The circulation of A. baumannii CRAb in intensive care units makes empiric therapy based on carbapenems irrational and ineffective. For the etiotropic therapy of A. baumannii bloodstream infection it is recommended to use combined antibiotic therapy regimens with the inclusion of polymyxin B and sulbactam.Copyright © Eco-Vector, 2022.

Risk of Microbial Transmission in Reusing Gloves after Alcohol-Based Hand Hygiene

Intro: The need for re-use of gloves as an alternative to single use was raised in times of resource shortages because during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, marked increase in healthcare associated infection was reported, which might owing to shortage of personal protective equipment. we aimed to evaluate the risk of microbial transmission by comparing residual microorganism after multiple patient contact according to with or without gloves in clinical practice. Method(s): Three researchers made rounds of patients while touching the same area successively followed by alcohol-based hand rub: one with bare hands, one with single gloves, and one with double gloves. Hand imprints were obtained before and after rounds, and cultured to count colony-forming units (CFU). The number of colonies was compared between groups in a semi-quantitative manner by hand area. Finding(s): Mean CFU counts after round were 10.06 for bare hands, 31.22 for single-gloved hands, and 49.67 for double-gloved hands (p=0.084). The most commonly identified microorganism after rounding was coagulase-negative Staphylococci (77.8%, 42/54), followed by Bacillus species (62.9%, 34/54). Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii was confirmed from a pair of double-gloved hand specimens after the rounds. That round included a patient with the same organism with the same antibiotic susceptibility results. More microorganisms were remained after alcohol-based hand rub on gloved hands than on bare hands. Conclusion(s): From our results, the possibility of microbial transmission seems more likely in gloved hands than in bare hands even after alcohol-based hand rub. Therefore, we do not recommend the re-use of gloves after alcohol-based hand hygiene.Copyright © 2023

Screening Strategies in Different Resource Settings

Health care-associated infections/ Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) have a significant impact on patients' morbidity and mortality. The risk of HAIs in resource-limited settings (RLS) has been reported 2-20 times higher than that in developed countries. Moreover, multi-drug- resistant organisms (MDROs) have emerged and spread throughout the world. In addition, increases in HAIs were observed during the COVID-19 pandemic throughout the world.Thus, screening strategies/surveillance of MDROs were recommended as a core component of infection prevention and control (IPC) measures for the effective HAIs prevention. We review and summarize current critical knowledge on screening strategies in different resource settings, especially on guidelines for the prevention and control of carbapenem- resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE), Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPsA) in health care facilities. The guidelines (especially WHO) were strongly recommended for surveillance of CRE-CRAB-CRPsA infections and surveillance cultures of asymptomatic CRE colonization. There were conditional recommended on surveillance cultures of the environment for CRE-CRAB-CRPsA colonization/contamination. The surveillance cultures (stool samples or rectal swabs) allowed the early introduction of IPC measures to prevent transmission to other patients and the hospital environment. Given the clinical importance of CRE-CRAB-CRPsA infections, regular ongoing active surveillance of infections were required in all microbiology laboratory settings. In addition, surveillance cultures for asymptomatic CRE colonization should also be performed, guided by local epidemiology and risk assessment. The surveillance cultures of asymptomatic CRE colonization should be considered for patients with previous CRE colonization and patients with a history of recent hospitalization in endemic CRE settings or contacted CRE colonized/ infected patients. In contrast, the evidence available on surveillance cultures for CRAB and CRPsA colonization in asymptomatic patients was not sufficiently relevant for the recommendation. Nowadays, the CRE surveillance strategies have been implemented in various methods from traditional culture- based methods to molecular assays. The limitation of microbiology laboratory capacity for MDROs in RLS was concerning. However, the surveillance data would help with appropriate IPC measure implementation and outbreak investigations. Thus, the proper screening strategies and strengthening microbiology laboratory capacity, especially in RLS are challenge for improving IPC measures and patient outcomes.Copyright © 2023

Epidemiological Features of Healthcare-associated Acinetobacter baumannii Infections in Taiwan During 2008 - 2019

Background: Acinetobacter baumannii can reside in humans without causing infection or symptoms but can opportunistically cause community and nosocomial infections. Few studies from Taiwan have used national-level data to investigate antibiotic resistance rates of A. baumannii infections in the intensive care units (ICUs) of medical centers. Aim(s): This study determined the number of infection sites of A. baumannii and the resistance rates of carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii (CRAB) infections in ICUs in Taiwan, and identified trends over time, variations of infection site, and factors associated with resistance. Method(s): This study used the database provided by Taiwan's Centers for Disease Control. Yearly, Taiwan Nosocomial Infections Surveillance System Surveys from 2008 to 2019 were analyzed, including data on the site of infection and resistance rates of A. baumannii and patient and hospital characteristics. Result(s): On average, 21 hospitals as medical center/year participated in the survey, and 6803 A. baumannii isolates were identified. All isolates were health care-related infections. The most frequent sites of infection were the urinary tract (50.6%), respiratory tract (19.6%), bloodstream (18.2%), surgical wounds (4.3%), and others (7.4%). Infection rates were the highest in the urinary tract in 2019 (63.6%;P < 0.001). On average, the rate of carbapenem resistance was 66.6% (95% confidence interval: 63.1-70.1) among ICU patients at medical centers. Considerable regional differences were observed, with the highest rates of resistance in the central regions. Higher resistance rates were observed between 2019 and 2020 COVID-19 pandemic (74.2%). Conclusion(s): This is the first report on the prevalence of health care-related A. baumannii infection in Taiwan in 2008-2019. Several invasive diseases, such as urinary tract infections, are associated with higher rates of carbapenem resistance. The resistance rate of CRAB in Taiwan is exceptionally high. The current big-data-derived findings may inform future surveillance and research efforts in Taiwan.Copyright © 2023 Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications. All rights reserved.

Health care-associated infections in patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 (COVIAAS).

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has spread fast globally comprising a great variety of clinical presentations. It was reported that 15% of patients required admission to intensive care units (ICU). Previous epidemiological studies have reported higher risk of healthcare-associated infections (HCAI) in those patients requiring invasive mechanical ventilation (iMV) due to COVID-19. Aim(s): To analyze the incidence of HCAI in adults under iMV admitted to ICU of Anchorena San Martin Clinic during COVID-19 pandemic. Method(s): Retrospective cohort study, the analysis of normality was carried out using the Shapiro-Wilk test. The multiple regression analysis was performed automatically, based on backward elimination of the variables (backward selection). For the comparison between the COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 groups, the T test or Wilcoxon test was used, as appropriate;and the chi2 or Fisher's exact test. All cumulative incidence function estimates were made with the cmprsk package. Result(s): 252 patients were included, 40 patients developed HCAI (accumulated incidence was 15.9%), counting for 60 total HCAI events. Age (OR 0.96), number of central venous access devices (CVAD) (OR 2.01), COVID-19 (OR 2.96) and prone positioning (OR 2.78) were associated with HCAI. HCAI was associated with more days of iMV and ICU stay. The accumulated incidence of HCAI in non-COVID-19 patients was lower than in COVID-19 patients. iMV days and mortality were higher in COVID-19. 29.6% of COVID-19 patients developed HCAIs vs 7.1% of non-COVID-19 ones. Conclusion(s): We describe the incidence of HCAI. Age, COVID-19, CVAD, prone positioning and ICU stay were associated with higher probability of HCAIs.Copyright © 2022, Sociedad Chilena de Infectologia. All rights reserved.

Establishment of the Program for Hierarchical Prevention and Control of Sudden Infectious Diseases Based on the Coronavirus Disease 2019: Experience of Peking Union Medical College Hospital.

In the current situation of coronavirus disease 2019, "to prevent import from abroad and to defend internal rebound" is the general principle. Facing the changes in the epidemic situation, especially the winter and spring epidemics, it is a huge challenge to carry out a scientific, precise and flexible program for the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infections so that to ensure the safety of healthcare workers and patients. After more than one year of anti-epidemic work, Peking Union Medical College Hospital has summarized and formulated a four-level retractable and releasable hierarchical program of prevention and control. It is dynamically adjusted according to the responsive level of public health emergencies in Beijing and the relevant regulations of epidemic prevention and control. All departments can also respond quickly to ensure the resumption of work. This program provides reference for the prevention and control of coronavirus disease 2019 and other sudden infectious diseases.Copyright © 2021, Peking Union Medical College Hospital. All rights reserved.

Ventilator-associated lower respiratory tract infections: Etiology and diagnosis.

Objective. To review a literature published over the past 5 years and our own data on the etiology of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI), antimicrobial resistance and its relationships between sepsis and choice of appropriate antibiotic therapy. Materials and methods. National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) criteria were used to diagnose LRTI. A review of the articles regarding LRTI from the Russian and international English language journals published over 6 years was performed. Identification of microorganisms was performed by culture over the period of 2003-2013;since 2014, MALDI-TOF MS method was used for this purpose. Results. Despite the ongoing policy to limit the use of antimicrobial therapy in the ICUs, there is an increase in carbapenemase-producing isolates in the ICUs from 2.2% (2018) to 11.7% (2020, 9 months). Along with the trend to increase in carbapenemase-producing pathogens causing LRTI, their variability is also increasing. In particular, it applies to strains producing carbapenemases OXA-48 or combination of OXA- 48 with KPC;with the trend to combined production of carbapenemase beginning at 2019. Conclusions. Carbapenemase producers are becoming more widespread in the ICU settings, including the lower respiratory tract in mechanically ventilated patients. Practitioners didn't get used to associate VAP with the Sepsis-3 criteria. The changes in etiology include the increased rate of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales and non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria, primarily Acinetobacter spp., in Russia. It's due to improved quality of respiratory support and increased consumption of carbapenems, tigecycline and polymyxins. Significant increase of OXA-48-producing pathogens is likely to be associated with a poor compliance with temporary guidelines on COVID-19 with regard to antibiotic therapy.Copyright © 2021, Interregional Association for Clinical Microbiology and Antimicrobial Chemotherapy. All rights reserved.

Australia's pathway to a national centres for diseases control - Comparing the current infection prevention and control structures

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has provided a focus for Infection Prevention and Control and unprecedented interest from all walks of the healthcare and non-healthcare system. There is little research information on state and national structures for Infection Prevention and Control across Australia. In Australia state and national programs were created to respond to healthcare associated infections (HAIs) and their prevention, however understanding the structures, connection or lack there off possibly the cause for historical disengagement by clinicians. This study compared the jurisdictional programs to begin to understand the complexities and need for improvement. Method(s): This study examined the characteristics of the HAI Programs across Australian national, states and territories and level of focus placed on IPC through publicly available. websites followed by a qualitative survey of jurisdictional program leads using a questionnaire. Result(s): There were variations to websites and consistent complexity for navigation. Differences were reported on staffing levels, resources, competency levels. governance, title of programs and focus areas, however themes within programs mostly consistent. Conclusion The complex nature, varied governance, staffing, resources, expertise and program priority differences and the lack of a consistent statewide governance structure has potentially contributed to a disconnected approach to IPC programs that fails to adequately support the notion of clinician engagement to IPC and also raises additional questions around national approach and narrative for an Australian CDC.Copyright © 2022

Compliance with hand hygiene practices and its appropriateness among healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic in public health facilities of Tamil Nadu, India.

Background: Compliance with appropriate hand hygiene practises is the most efficient and cost-effective intervention that can be implemented in the healthcare setting. Given its importance, we tried to capture the compliance with hand hygiene practises and their appropriateness among healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic in public health facilities in Tamil Nadu. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved doctors, nurses, and allied healthcare professionals from various departments in 18 public healthcare facilities spanning six districts in Tamil Nadu. A random-intercept model was employed for the multivariable logistic regression analysis to evaluate the factors influencing hand hygiene compliance and its adequacy. The effect size was presented as an adjusted odds ratio (aOR) accompanied by a 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: In total, 2733 hand hygiene observations were made. Only during 19.4% (95%CI: 17.9%-20.9%) of these observations, hand washing was done. Only during 37.9% (95%CI: 33.9%-42.1%) of these observations, hand washing was done appropriately by following all the essential steps of hand hygiene. Nurses (aOR = 2.49; 95%CI: 1.90-3.26), healthcare workers in General Surgery (aOR = 2.18; 95%CI: 1.53-3.10) and Obstetrics & Gynaecology departments (aOR = 1.75; 95%CI: 1.26-2.43), working in inpatient departments (aOR = 2.64; 95%CI: 1.38-5.04) had significantly higher compliance to hand hygiene practices. Nurses (aOR = 2.58; 95%CI: 1.33-5.01) and General Medicine department healthcare workers (aOR = 1.98; 95%CI: 1.09-3.61) had significantly higher compliance to appropriate hand hygiene practices. Conclusion: Our study shows that only during one-fifth of the observations did healthcare workers do hand washing, and less than 10% did it appropriately by following all the essential steps of hand hygiene.

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 central line-associated bloodstream infection. Increased central line utilization, decreased central line bundle compliance monitoring, increased proportion of traveling nurses, increased short-term venous catheter use in the internal jugular vein, increased multilumen 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.

Incidence of Healthcare-Associated Infections in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Four-Year Retrospective Cohort Study.

The COVID-19 pandemic may have had an impact on healthcare-associated infection (HAI) rates. In this study, we analyzed the occurrence of HAIs in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of the Umberto I teaching hospital in Rome before and during the pandemic. All infants admitted from 1 March 2018 to 28 February 2022 were included and were divided into four groups according to their admission date: two groups before the pandemic (periods I and II) and two during the pandemic (periods III and IV). The association between risk factors and time-to-first event was analyzed using a multivariable Cox regression model. Over the four-year period, a total of 503 infants were included, and 36 infections were recorded. After adjusting for mechanical ventilation, birth weight, sex, type of delivery, respiratory distress syndrome, and previous use of netilmicin and fluconazole, the multivariable analysis confirmed that being hospitalized during the pandemic periods (III and IV) was the main risk factor for HAI acquisition. Furthermore, a change in the etiology of these infections was observed across the study periods. Together, these findings suggest that patient management during the pandemic was suboptimal and that HAI surveillance protocols should be implemented in the NICU setting promptly.

ASSESSING IMPLEMENTATION OF PREVENTION AND INFECTION CONTROL PROGRAMS IN ARMENIAN HOSPITALS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.

Aim of the study was to assess the current state of implementating key aspects of infection prevention and control (IPC) in Armenian hospitals, defined by the main WHO components, using the survey tool IPCAF (Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Framework). Materials and methods. 113 hospitals were involved in the study. All participants filled out the IPCAF questionnaire, consisting of 8 sections (each rated up to 100 points) devoted to various IPC aspects. Depending on the total final score, IPC programs were divided into the following categories: advanced (601-800 points), intermediate (401-600 points), basic (201-400 points) and inadequate (0-200 points). The study conducted a descriptive analysis of the overall IPCAF score as well as score evaluation of the relevant core components and some selected questions of particular interest. Results. The 2021 total average score for all IPCAF components for all hospitals in Armenia is 578.0+/-7.9 points, which is currently regarded as an "intermediate" level. At the same time, 47 (41.6%) hospitals were assigned to the advanced category, 63 (55.7%) - to the average category and 3 (2.7%) - to the basic category. Analysis of the main IPC components (CC, Core component) revealed that the maximum average scores were obtained for the components CC2 (IPC Guidelines) - 80.8 points, CC8 (Creating a safe environment in medical premises, as well as materials and equipment for IPC) - 75.5 points and CC7 (Workload, staffing and number of beds) - 75.2 points. The lowest average scores were obtained for the key components: CC4 (Surveillance for healthcare-associated infections) with 54.7 points and CC3 (IPC education and training) with 59.5 points. Conclusion. Legislative and practical changes implemented in the real world during the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) pandemic have significantly contributed to improved scores for many key components of IPC programs. The study found that the IPCAF is a useful tool for assessing IPC standards and identifying gaps, regardless of a country economic development level. In our opinion, the re-use of IPCAF in all medical institutions should be encouraged, which is important for monitoring changes and trends in IPC, as well as proposing individual strategies in the development and improvement of IPC.Copyright © 2022 Saint Petersburg Pasteur Institute. All rights reserved.

Semmelweis: his fight for hand hygiene

Clinicians today have never, perhaps, been more aware of the utmost importance of handwashing prior to clinical examination and surgery. However, in the 1800s this was not the case. The simple act of handwashing was once ridiculed and debated with considerable controversy within the medical profession. It was obstetrician Ignaz Semmelweis (1818-1865) who put forward its importance, and thereafter Joseph Lister who, in 1864, developed antiseptic techniques in surgery, following on from Pasteur and Koch's work on germ theory. In 1846, Dr Semmelweis was working in Vienna, responsible for the first division of maternity services. He noticed the striking difference in mortality rate in women who had deliveries by doctors and medical students, compared with deliveries by midwives. This mortality was known as puerperal fever or childbed fever. He hypothesized that doctors and medical students were transferring 'cadaverous particles' as they handled cadavers during autopsies, and then went on to examine pregnant women. The mortality rate was lower when midwives, who did not handle cadavers, performed deliveries. Thereafter, he initiated mandatory handwashing for all those delivering babies, using chloride of lime solution. The mortality rate reduced significantly after the implementation of handwashing and the washing of medical instruments. However, Semmelweis's hypothesis was not supported by many in the medical profession, and most senior academics questioned and disregarded his conclusions. He subsequently returned to Budapest where he continued to work and undertake handwashing. He published 'The etiology, concept, and prophylaxis of childbed fever' in 1861, but it was deemed a laborious read and was poorly received. Unfortunately, reports indicate that Semmelweis's behaviour and actions deteriorated, some speculated due to early-onset dementia or syphilis. He was admitted to a Viennese psychiatric hospital and died in 1865 aged 47 years. Ironically, given his passion for hygiene, he died from sepsis due to a wound infection. Semmelweis has been acknowledged with a university hospital and museum named after him, as well as a postage stamp, issued in Austria in 1965 on the 100th anniversary of his death. Many lessons have been learned from Semmelweis. The medical establishment was slow to adopt his advice. Handwashing effectively reduces healthcare-associated infections, and clinician adherence to hand hygiene advice has increased since the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic. The World Health Organization's 'My 5 moments for hand hygiene' is known worldwide, with its most recent caption (2021) 'Seconds save lives - clean your hands'.

Hospitalised patients with COVID-19: the impact of nosocomial infections

Introduction: COVID-19 is a disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Healthcare-associated infections (HCAI) are infections acquired during a stay in a hospital or other healthcare setting that were not incubating at the time of admission. Objective(s): To describe the impact of HCAI in hospitalised patients with COVID-19. Method(s): A retrospective and descriptive study of hospitalised patients with COVID-19 in a Portuguese hospital in 2020 was conducted. Result(s): The sample consisted of 1110 patients of whom 229 acquired HCAI. The main comorbidities were hypertension 62.45% (n=143), obesity 24.01% (n=55), arrhythmias 20.52% (n=47), ischaemic heart 11.35% (n=26) and heart failure 16.16%. Infectious agents were isolated in 27.95% (n=64), with Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae being the most frequent. HCAI's classification were: 5.68% (n=13) nosocomial bacteraemia 31.89% (n=73);urinary tract infection 54.15% (n=124);hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and ventilator-associated pneumonia 8.28% (n=19). Ventilatory support required: 14.85% (n=34) didn't require, 49.34% (n=113) conventional oxygen therapy (COT);2.62% (n=6) high flow therapy, 3.06% (n=7) non-invasive ventilation, 16.16% (n=37) HelmetCPAP, 12.66% (n=29) invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and 1.31% (n=3) ECMO. The mean number of days of admission was 14.84 (+/-13.67). The probability of death HCAI's patients was OR 1.63, 95% CI 1.154-2.304. Conclusion(s): The sample shows a high incidence of nosocomial infections. The most frequent HCAI were HAP mainly with clinical diagnosis. Clinical stabilisation of comorbidities and COT were effective for most patients but IMV and Helmet-CPAP for the most severe. HCAI are a high risk factor for mortality.