[Prevention of influenza in acute care settings : a multimodal intervention]. / Prévention de la grippe en milieu de soins aigus : une intervention multimodale.

Preventing an influenza outbreak in an acute care requires a multimodal intervention, taking into account the actors involved (influenza virus, staff, patients, visitors), and the stage of the epidemic. Different means are used for this purpose : immunization, use of alcohol-based hand rub, identification of influenza cases, wearing of medical masks, social distance, and antiviral treatment. In addition, an epidemiological surveillance of influenza cases, in the general population and within the health facilities, must be associated.

Prévenir l'éclosion de cas de grippe en milieu de soins aigus nécessite une intervention multimodale, qui tienne compte des acteurs en présence (le virus influenza, le personnel, les patients, les visiteurs) et du stade de l'épidémie. Différents moyens sont utilisés dans cet objectif : la vaccination, la friction des mains avec la solution hydro-alcoolique, l'identification des cas de grippe, le port du masque médical, la distance sociale et le traitement antiviral. A cela, il faut ajouter la surveillance épidémiologique des cas de grippe dans la population générale et dans l'institution de soins.

Epidemiology and acquisition of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae in a septic orthopedic ward.

Wards cohorting infected orthopaedic patients may be particularly prone to transmitting extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E). We analyze their epidemic pattern by performing molecular typing of ESBL-E isolated from patients and healthcare workers (HCW) from our septic ward. Between March 2010 and November 2011, 186 patients were admitted. Among 565 anal swabs, ESBL-E were detected in 204 samples from 45 patients, suggesting prolonged carriage in affected patients. Among 25 cases with identical ESBL-E species and positive epidemiological links, only 9 were really attributable to our service. We also screened 41 healthcare workers (HCW) on 49 occasions during the study period. Six samples (13%) were positive. None of the ESBL-E detected in HCW were related to any of the patient isolates. Among 60 environmental samples taken at the peak of the epidemic none revealed ESBL-E. We conclude that HCW also were anal carriers of ESBL-E, however the ESBL- strains from the HCW were not the same strains isolated from patients in the septic ward. Moreover, the epidemiological attribution of ESBL by simple vicinity, timing, and species identification might grossly overestimate transmission within a given unit.

[Social marketing: applying commercial strategies to the prevention of nosocomial infections]. / Le marketing social: un regard nouveau sur la prévention des infections nosocomiales.

Although a large proportion of healthcare-associated infections are avoidable, healthcare workers do not always practice evidence-based preventive strategies. Marketing technologies might help to improve patient safety. This article presents the basic principles of marketing and its potential use to promote good infection control practices. The marketing mix (Product, Price, Place, and Promotion) should be taken into account to induce behaviour change. By placing the emphasis on the perceived "profits" for healthcare workers the approach might lose its moral aspect and gain in effectiveness. VigiGerme, a non-commercial registered trademark, applies social marketing techniques to infection control and prevention.