Impact of hydroxychloroquine on disease progression and ICU admissions in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether use of hydroxychloroquine was associated with a reduced likelihood of intensive care unit (ICU) admission in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the early weeks of the pandemic. METHODS: A retrospective, observational cohort study was conducted to determine selected treatment outcomes in 336 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 at an acute care community hospital in the Hudson Valley region of New York from March 20 to April 20, 2020. Eligibility included admission to the hospital, a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and no need for intubation or intensive care at admission. The median (interquartile range) ages of patients who received hydroxychloroquine (n = 188) and those who did not (n = 148) were 68 (58-82) and 64 (51-73) years, respectively. In a multivariable model that included age, gender, obesity, diabetes, and hydroxychloroquine use, patients who received hydroxychloroquine were significantly more likely than those not treated with the drug to be transferred to an ICU (odds ratio, [OR], 8.1; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.8-17) and significantly more likely to be intubated (OR, 7.99; 95% CI, 3.76-16.91); these associations were not influenced by disease severity. In-hospital mortality did not differ significantly with disease severity between those who did and those who did not receive hydroxychloroquine. CONCLUSION: Hydroxychloroquine use was significantly associated with increased risks of ICU admission and intubation in patients with mild, moderate, and severe symptoms of COVID-19. There were no significant between-group differences in mortality with use vs nonuse of hydroxychloroquine.

Long-Term Efficacy of Oral Vancomycin Prophylaxis for the Prevention of Clostridium difficile Recurrence.

BACKGROUND: Limited evidence suggests that prophylactic oral vancomycin may be beneficial in preventing Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) recurrence, but long-term efficacy is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the long-term efficacy of oral vancomycin prophylaxis (OVP) in preventing CDI recurrence in subjects who require subsequent antibiotic exposure. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at a community hospital. A total of 91 subjects with a history of CDI between January 2013 and December 2015 who had a subsequent hospitalization requiring systemic antibiotics within 12 months were evaluated. Thirty-two subjects who received prophylaxis with oral vancomycin were compared to 59 subjects who did not receive prophylaxis. RESULTS: CDI recurrence within 12 months was significantly lower in subjects receiving OVP compared to those who did not receive OVP (6.3% vs 28.8%; odds ratio [OR]: 0.16; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.04-0.77; P = .011) including patients whose previous CDI was an initial episode (3.7% [1/27] vs 28.3% [15/53]; OR: 10.3; 95% CI: 1.28-82.6; P = .009). CONCLUSION: Use of OVP in subjects with a history of CDI up to 12 months prior to subsequent antibiotic exposure appears to reduce the risk of CDI recurrence for up to 12 months.

Application of a microsystem-based project to improve the inpatient care of adults with cystic fibrosis.

BACKGROUND: Patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) hospitalized for pulmonary exacerbations complained of delayed and missed treatments. We analyzed the complaints and implemented two microsystem-based quality initiatives to improve care. METHODS: A prospective, observational study using quantitative and qualitative data collection strategies was conducted. Two interventions were implemented: a CF order set followed 9 months later by a self-administration program. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Thirty-six of 40 patients with CF received initial respiratory therapy within 2 hours of admission compared with 1 of 17 before intervention. Initial antibiotic administration time was reduced from a mean of 18 hours to within 4 hours in the majority of admissions after implementation of quality initiatives. The interventions led to improved medication delivery and increased satisfaction. Hospital length of stay for patients with CF decreased from a mean of 9.5 to 7.8 days. CONCLUSION: Application of a microsystem-based strategy that engaged patients and families as well as caregivers brought about substantial changes in CF care delivery, increased satisfaction among staff and patients, and decreased hospital length of stay.