Immunization, Antibiotic Use, and Pneumococcal Colonization Over a 15-Year Period.

BACKGROUND: Rates of invasive pneumococcal disease have declined since widespread introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) in the United States. We evaluated the impact of immunization status and recent antibiotic use on an individual child's risk of colonization. METHODS: This study extends previously reported data from children <7 years of age seen for well child or acute care visits in Massachusetts communities. Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected during 6 surveillance seasons from 2000 to 2014. Parent surveys and medical record reviews confirmed immunization status and recent antibiotic use. We estimated the proportions of children colonized with PCV7-included, additional PCV13-included, and non-PCV13 serotypes. Risk factors for colonization with additional PCV13-included and non-PCV13 serotypes were assessed by using generalized linear mixed models adjusted for clustering by community. RESULTS: Among 6537 children, 19A emerged as the predominant serotype in 2004, with substantial reductions in 2014. Among non-PCV serotypes, 15B/C, 35B, 23B, 11A, and 23A were most common in 2014. We observed greater odds for both additional PCV13 and non-PCV13 colonization in younger children, those with more child care exposure, and those with a concomitant respiratory tract infection. Adjusted odds for additional PCV13 colonization was lower (odds ratio 0.48 [95% confidence interval 0.31-0.75]) among children up-to-date for PCV13 vaccines. Recent antibiotic use was associated with higher odds of additional PCV13 colonization but substantially lower odds of non-PCV13 colonization. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the success of pneumococcal vaccines in reducing colonization and disease due to targeted serotypes, ongoing community-based surveillance will be critical to evaluate the impact of interventions on pneumococcal colonization and disease.

Impact of 13-Valent Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccination on Streptococcus pneumoniae Carriage in Young Children in Massachusetts.

BACKGROUND: In April 2010, a 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) replaced PCV7 for use in the United States. We evaluated rates of pneumococcal colonization, by serotype and antibiotic resistance, in Massachusetts communities where serial cross-sectional surveillance has been conducted for the past decade. METHODS: Nasopharyngeal swabs were obtained from children 0 to <7 years of age and seen by primary care providers for well child or acute illness visits in 2001, 2004, 2007, 2009, and 2011. Pneumococcal isolates were serotyped by Quellung reaction and classified as PCV7 serotypes (4, 6B, 9V, 14, 18C, 19F, 23F), additional PCV13 serotypes (1, 3, 5, 6A, 7F, 19A), or non-PCV13 serotypes. Changes in colonization and impact of PCV13 were assessed using generalized linear mixed models, adjusting for known risk factors and accounting for clustering by community. RESULTS: Introduction of PCV13 did not affect the rate of overall pneumococcal colonization (31% in 2011). Colonization with non-PCV13 serotypes increased between 2001 and 2011 for all children (odds ratio [OR] per year, 1.12; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.10, 1.15; P < .0001). 19A remained the second most common serotype in 2011, although a decline from 2009 was observed. Penicillin (7%), erythromycin (28%), ceftriaxone (10%), and clindamycin (10%) nonsusceptibility were commonly identified, concentrated among a small number of serotypes (including 19A, 35B, 15B/C, and 15A). Among healthy children 6-23 months old, colonization with PCV13 serotypes was lower among recipients of PCV13 vaccine (adjusted OR, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.11, 0.78). This effect was not observed in 6- to 23-month-old children with a concomitant respiratory tract infection (adjusted OR 1.36; 95% CI, 0.66, 2.77) or children 2 to <7 years old (adjusted OR, 1.17; 95% CI, 0.58, 2.34). CONCLUSIONS: 13-Valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine reduced the prevalence of colonization with PCV13 serotypes among children 6-23 months old, but its efficacy was not shown among older children.

Childhood infections, antibiotics, and resistance: what are parents saying now?

Parental misconceptions and even "demand" for unnecessary antibiotics were previously viewed as contributors to overuse of these agents. We conducted focus groups to explore the knowledge and attitudes surrounding common infections and antibiotic use in the current era of more judicious prescribing. Among diverse groups of parents, we found widespread use of home remedies and considerable concern regarding antibiotic resistance. Parents generally expressed the desire to use antibiotics only when necessary. There was appreciation of inherent error in the diagnosis of common infections, with most trust placed in providers with whom parents had long-standing relationships. While some parents had experience with "watchful waiting" for otitis media, there was little enthusiasm for this approach. While there may still be room for further education, it appears that parents have become more informed and sophisticated regarding appropriate uses of antibiotics. This has likely contributed to the declines seen in their use nationally.

Perceived impact of the Medicare policy to adjust payment for health care-associated infections.

BACKGROUND: In 2008, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) ceased additional payment for hospitalizations resulting in complications deemed preventable, including several health care-associated infections. We sought to understand the impact of the CMS payment policy on infection prevention efforts. METHODS: A national survey of infection preventionists from a random sample of US hospitals was conducted in December 2010. RESULTS: Eighty-one percent reported increased attention to HAIs targeted by the CMS policy, whereas one-third reported spending less time on nontargeted HAIs. Only 15% reported increased funding for infection control as a result of the CMS policy, whereas most reported stable (77%) funding. Respondents reported faster removal of urinary (71%) and central venous (50%) catheters as a result of the CMS policy, whereas routine urine and blood cultures on admission occurred infrequently (27% and 13%, respectively). Resource shifting (ie, less time spent on nontargeted HAIs) occurred more commonly in large hospitals (odds ratio, 2.3; 95% confidence interval: 1.0-5.1; P = .038) but less often in hospitals where front-line staff were receptive to changes in clinical processes (odds ratio, 0.5; 95% confidence interval: 0.3-0.8; P = .005). CONCLUSION: Infection preventionists reported greater hospital attention to preventing targeted HAIs as a result of the CMS nonpayment policy. Whether the increased focus and greater engagement in HAI prevention practices has led to better patient outcomes is unclear.

Making the CMS payment policy for healthcare-associated infections work: organizational factors that matter.

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are among the most common adverse events in hospitals, and the morbidity and mortality associated with them are significant. In 2008, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) implemented a new financial policy that no longer provides payment to hospitals for services related to certain infections not present on admission and deemed preventable. At present, little is known about how this policy is being implemented in hospital settings. One key goal of the policy is for it to serve as a quality improvement driver within hospitals, providing the rationale and motivation for hospitals to engage in greater infection-related surveillance and prevention activities. This article examines the role organizational factors, such as leadership and culture, play in the effectiveness of the CMS policy as a quality improvement (QI) driver within hospital settings. Between late 2009 and early 2010, interviews were conducted with 36 infection preventionists working at a national sample of 36 hospitals. We found preliminary evidence that hospital executive behavior, a proactive infection control (IC) culture, and clinical staff engagement played a favorable role in enhancing the recognition, acceptance, and significance of the CMS policy as a QI driver within hospitals. We also found several other contextual factors that may impede the degree to which the above factors facilitate links between the CMS policy and hospital QI activities.