The potential impact of enhanced hygienic measures during the COVID-19 outbreak on hospital-acquired infections: A pragmatic study in neurological units.
J Neurol Sci
; 418: 117111, 2020 11 15.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-733745
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are frequent complications among acute patients hospitalized in neurological units, especially among those hospitalized for stroke. This study aimed to investigate if enhanced hygienic measures, including the systematic use of personal protective equipment (PPE), determined a decrease in HAI during the recent COVID-19 outbreak in "COVID-free" neurological units.METHODS:
Patients hospitalized in neurology and stroke units of Policlinico Umberto I Hospital in Rome from March 8, 2020 and discharged prior to May 31, 2020 were included in the study and compared with patients hospitalized during the same period in 2019.RESULTS:
A total of 319 patients were included in the study (n = 103 in 2020, n = 216 in 2019). Among patients hospitalized in 2019, the incidence of HAIs was 31.5% (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.25-0.38), compared with 23.3% (95% CI 0.15-0.32) in 2020 (p = 0.12). Multivariable logistic regression showed that hospitalization during 2020 was independently associated with a lower risk of HAIs (odds ratio 0.34, 95% CI0.16-0.71, p = 0.004). Poisson regression models showed that hospitalization during 2020 was also independently associated with both a lower number of HAIs (relative risk [RR] 0.56, 95% CI0.38-0.81, p = 0.01) and a lower number of prescribed antibiotics per patient (RR 0.66, 95% CI 0.49-0.87, p = 0.02).CONCLUSION:
Our study design provides evidence regarding the impact of stricter hygienic measures, such as increased PPE use, on HAIs. Larger studies are needed to support the extension of preventive measures even after the COVID-19 outbreak in order to limit the occurrence of HAIs.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Hygiene
/
Cross Infection
/
Personal Protective Equipment
/
COVID-19
/
Hospital Departments
/
Neurology
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
/
Randomized controlled trials
/
Systematic review/Meta Analysis
Limits:
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Country/Region as subject:
Europa
Language:
English
Journal:
J Neurol Sci
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
J.jns.2020.117111
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