Environmental approaches to controlling Clostridioides difficile infection in healthcare settings.

As today's most prevalent and costly healthcare-associated infection, hospital-onset Clostridioides difficile infection (HO-CDI) represents a major threat to patient safety world-wide. This review will discuss how new insights into the epidemiology of CDI have quantified the prevalence of C. difficile (CD) spore contamination of the patient-zone as well as the role of asymptomatically colonized patients who unavoidable contaminate their near and distant environments with resilient spores. Clarification of the epidemiology of CD in parallel with the development of a new generation of sporicidal agents which can be used on a daily basis without damaging surfaces, equipment, or the environment, led to the research discussed in this review. These advances underscore the potential for significantly mitigating HO-CDI when combined with ongoing programs for optimizing the thoroughness of cleaning as well as disinfection. The consequence of this paradigm-shift in environmental hygiene practice, particularly when combined with advances in hand hygiene practice, has the potential for significantly improving patient safety in hospitals globally by mitigating the acquisition of CD spores and, quite plausibly, other environmentally transmitted healthcare-associated pathogens.

Mupirocin susceptibility of staphylococci 2022: Is it time for a change in MRSA decolonization protocols?

BACKGROUND: Nasal decolonization with mupirocin has been a common strategy for the prevention of surgical site infections (SSIs) and recurrent skin and soft tissue infections due to Staphylococcus aureus (SA). We recently noted an increase in SSIs due to SA, including a case of post-operative mupirocin-resistant methicillin-resistant SA (MRSA) infection despite attempted preoperative decolonization with mupirocin. We therefore evaluated the mupirocin susceptibility of SA at our hospital to determine the optimal regimen for decolonization. METHODS: SA isolates were recovered from clinical and screening samples received in the microbiology laboratory. Mupirocin susceptibility was determined using e-tests and isolates were categorized as susceptible or resistant using a breakpoint MIC value of 4mcg/ml. RESULTS: 223 unique SA isolates from 218 patients were tested. Twenty-four SA isolates (10.8%) were resistant to mupirocin (20 MRSA and 4 methicillin-sensitive SA [MSSA]). MRSA strains were more likely to be resistant to mupirocin than MSSA strains (22.5% vs 3.0%, P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The emergence of drug resistance makes the policy of decolonization with nasal mupirocin a suboptimal strategy for the prevention of MRSA infections. In our study, less than 80% of MRSA strains were mupirocin susceptible. In patients colonized with MRSA at high risk for infection (eg, total joint replacement), other regimens such as intranasal povidone iodine may be preferable to mupirocin for patient decolonization.

Environmental cleaning and disinfection: Sustaining changed practice and improving quality in the community hospital.

Objective: Short-term improvements in hospital room cleaning can readily be achieved but are difficult to maintain. This is particularly true for high-risk, "high-touch" surfaces. Therefore, we embarked on a process to sustain improvements in surface cleaning and disinfection to reduce hospital-acquired infection (HAI) rates. Interventions: Our environmental services (EVS) and infection prevention departments incorporated a formal education, monitoring, and feedback process for focused cleaning and disinfection of high-touch surfaces into their routine policies and procedures in 2011. Cleaning validation was performed by infection prevention liaison nurses using a fluorescent targeting method to evaluate the thoroughness of cleaning. Results: Surface cleaning performance on medical-surgical units in 2011 was 74.7%, but this rate incrementally increased in response to the interventions and has been sustained at >90% for the past 6 years. Similar patterns of improvement were observed in the operating room, labor and delivery, endoscopy suite and cardiac catheterization laboratory. Conversely, HAI rates, particularly C. difficile rates, decreased by 75% and surgical site infection rates decreased by 55%. Conclusions: EVS training, monitoring, and feedback interventions, instituted 10 years ago have enhanced our environmental cleaning and disinfection efforts in multiple areas of the hospital and have been sustained to the present. Although other concurrent initiatives to reduce infection rates also existed, the improvements in environmental cleaning were associated with dramatic reductions in HAI rates over the 10-year period.

Precipitous Fall in Common Respiratory Viral Infections During COVID-19.

In the midst of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, we were surprised to find that all other respiratory viral infections fell precipitously. The difference in respiratory viral infections during the 16-week period of our peak COVID-19 activity in 2020 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention weeks 14-29) was significantly lower than during the same period in the previous 4 years (a total of 4 infections vs an average of 138 infections; P < .0001). We attribute this to widespread use of public health interventions including wearing face masks, social distancing, hand hygiene, and stay-at-home orders. As these interventions are usually ignored by the community during most influenza seasons, we anticipate that their continued use during the upcoming winter season could substantially blunt the case load of influenza and other respiratory viral infections.

Efficacy and Safety of Danirixin (GSK1325756) Co-administered With Standard-of-Care Antiviral (Oseltamivir): A Phase 2b, Global, Randomized Study of Adults Hospitalized With Influenza.

BACKGROUND: Excessive neutrophil migration has been correlated with influenza symptom severity. Danirixin (GSK1325756), a selective and reversible antagonist of C-X-C chemokine receptor 2, decreases neutrophil activation and transmigration to areas of inflammation. This study evaluated the efficacy and safety of intravenous (IV) danirixin co-administered with oseltamivir for the treatment of adults hospitalized with influenza. METHODS: In this phase 2b, double-blind, 3-arm study (NCT02927431), influenza-positive participants were randomized 2:2:1 to receive danirixin 15mg intravenously (IV) twice daily (bid) + oral oseltamivir 75mg bid (OSV), danirixin 50mg IV bid + OSV, or placebo IV bid + OSV, for up to 5 days. The primary endpoint was time to clinical response (TTCR). RESULTS: In total, 10 participants received study treatment (danirixin 15mg + OSV, n = 4; danirixin 50mg + OSV, n = 4; placebo + OSV, n = 2) before the study was terminated early due to low enrollment. All participants achieved a clinical response. Median (95% confidence interval) TTCR was 4.53 days (2.95, 5.71) for danirixin 15mg + OSV, 4.76 days (2.71, 5.25) for danirixin 50mg + OSV, and 1.33 days (0.71, 1.95) for placebo + OSV. Adverse events (AEs) were generally of mild or moderate intensity; no serious AEs were considered treatment-related. Interleukin-8 levels increased in nasal samples (using synthetic absorptive matrix strips) and decreased serum neutrophil-elastase-mediated degradation of elastin decreased in danirixin-treated participants, suggesting effective target engagement. CONCLUSIONS: Interpretation of efficacy results is restricted by the low participant numbers. The safety and tolerability profile of danirixin was consistent with previous studies. CLINICAL TRIAL INFORMATION: The registration data for the trial are in the ClinicalTrials.gov database, number NCT02927431, and in the EU Clinical Trials Register (https://www.clinicaltrialsregister.eu/) as GSK study 201023, EudraCT 2016-002512-40. Anonymized individual participant data and study documents can be requested for further research from www.clinicalstudydatarequest.com.

Successful reduction in catheter-associated urinary tract infections: focus on nurse-directed catheter removal.

BACKGROUND: Despite using sterile technique for catheter insertion, closed drainage systems, and structured daily care plans, catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) regularly occur in acute care hospitals. We believe that meaningful reduction in CAUTI rates can only be achieved by reducing urinary catheter use. METHODS: We used an interventional study of a hospital-wide, multidisciplinary program to reduce urinary catheter use and CAUTIs on all patient care units in a 300-bed, community teaching hospital in Connecticut. Our primary focus was the implementation of a nurse-directed urinary catheter removal protocol. This protocol was linked to the physician's catheter insertion order. Three additional elements included physician documentation of catheter insertion criteria, a device-specific charting module added to physician electronic progress notes, and biweekly unit-specific feedback on catheter use rates and CAUTI rates in a multidisciplinary forum. RESULTS: We achieved a 50% hospital-wide reduction in catheter use and a 70% reduction in CAUTIs over a 36-month period, although there was wide variation from unit to unit in catheter reduction efforts, ranging from 4% (maternity) to 74% (telemetry). CONCLUSION: Urinary catheter use, and ultimately CAUTI rates, can be effectively reduced by the diligent application of relatively few evidence-based interventions. Aggressive implementation of the nurse-directed catheter removal protocol was associated with lower catheter use rates and reduced infection rates.

Decreasing Clostridium difficile infections in surgery: impact of a practice bundle incorporating a resident rounding protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Clostridium difficile (CD) infection is a significant health problem. A new systems approach was introduced to reduce the risk of hospital-acquired CD infection (HA-CD) at our institution. We hypothesized that a practice bundle, including a protocol to limit patient exposures during house staff rounding, would decrease HA-CD infections. METHODS: Over a three-year period, 39,093 cases (17,145 inpatients) admitted to the surgical services were reviewed. Cases were reviewed for patient demographics, antibiotic exposures, compliance with antibiotic prophylaxis guidelines, and surgical infections. A resident rounding protocol was developed to limit patient exposures. The program bundle also included a hand washing initiative, maintaining gastric acidity, and antibiotic stewardship. RESULTS: After implementation of the bundle, the average monthly HA-CD infection rate in surgical patients decreased from 4.13 + 2.6 cases to 1.93 + 1.6 cases, p = 0.03. The overall rate of HA-CD infections for surgical cases decreased 41% from 2.8 cases/1,000 patient days to 1.8 cases/1,000 patient-days. CONCLUSIONS: Bundled programs designed to reduce patient risk by controlling exposure to both environmental and carrier sources of CD can reduce hospital-acquired CD infections.

Improving environmental hygiene in 27 intensive care units to decrease multidrug-resistant bacterial transmission.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the thoroughness of terminal disinfection and cleaning of patient rooms in hospital intensive care units and to assess the value of a structured intervention program to improve the quality of cleaning as a means of reducing environmental transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms within the intensive care unit. DESIGN: Prospective, multicenter, and pre- and postinterventional study. SETTING: Intensive care unit rooms in 27 acute care hospitals. Hospitals ranged in size from 25 beds to 709 beds (mean, 206 beds). INTERVENTIONS: A fluorescent targeting method was used to objectively evaluate the thoroughness of terminal room cleaning before and after structured educational, procedural, and administrative interventions. Systematic covert monitoring was performed by infection control personnel to assure accuracy and lack of bias. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: In total, 3532 environmental surfaces (14 standardized objects) were assessed after terminal cleaning in 260 intensive care unit rooms. Only 49.5% (1748) of surfaces were cleaned at baseline (95% confidence interval, 42% to 57%). Thoroughness of cleaning at baseline did not correlate with hospital size, patient volume, case mix index, geographic location, or teaching status. After intervention and multiple cycles of objective performance feedback to environmental services staff, thoroughness of cleaning improved to 82% (95% confidence interval, 78% to 86%). CONCLUSIONS: Significant improvements in intensive care unit room cleaning can be achieved in most hospitals by using a structured approach that incorporates a simple, highly objective surface targeting method and repeated performance feedback to environmental services personnel. Given the documented environmental transmission of a wide range of multidrug-resistant pathogens, our findings identify a substantial opportunity to enhance patient safety by improving the thoroughness of intensive care unit environmental hygiene.

Relationship of influenza vaccination declination statements and influenza vaccination rates for healthcare workers in 22 US hospitals.

The use of declination statements was associated with a mean increase of 11.6% in influenza vaccination rates among healthcare workers at 22 hospitals. In most hospitals, there were no negative consequences for healthcare workers who refused to sign the forms, and most policies were implemented along with other interventions designed to increase vaccination rates.

The impact of hospital practice on central venous catheter associated bloodstream infection rates at the patient and unit level: a multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: Little is known about factors driving variation in bloodstream infection (BSI) rates between institutions. The objectives of this study are to (1) identify patient, process of care, and hospital factors that influence intensive care unit (ICU)-level BSI rates and (2) compare those factors to individual risk factors identified in a cohort analysis. DESIGN: In this multicenter prospective observational study, the authors measured the process of care for 2970 randomly sampled central venous catheter insertions over 13 months. SETTING: Medical, surgical, and medical/surgical ICUs of 37 domestic and 13 international hospitals. RESULTS: Significant correlates of unit-level BSI rates were percentage of female patients, patients on dialysis, ICU bed size, percentage of practitioners with low numbers of previous insertions, and percentage inserted by nurses. Patient-level analysis identified gender, age, posttransplant, postsurgery, and use of the line for parenteral nutrition. CONCLUSIONS: Factors that influence unit-to-unit variation may differ from factors identified in studies of individual patient risk.

Impact of an Adherence Program on the Health and Outlook of HIV-Infected Patients Failing Antiretroviral Therapy.

BACKGROUND: We prospectively studied the impact of an adherence counselor on the outcome of patients failing antiretroviral therapy because of nonadherence. METHODS: Forty-six patients, identified as chronically nonadherent were enrolled. Individual attention was provided using the information, motivation and behavioral methodology. HIV RNA (viral load, in copies/mL), CD4 count (in cells/mm(3)), and body weight before and after the adherence counselor were measured. Qualitative outcome and patient satisfaction were assessed by deidentified third-party interviews. RESULTS: Over half completed at least 1 year; only 8 patients were lost to follow-up. Mean CD4 counts increased significantly (P < .05) for completers at 6 and 12 months. Viral loads decreased between baseline and 6 months. Most clients reported subjective benefit from working with the adherence counselor. CONCLUSION: Although few clients showed complete virologic suppression, the value of an adherence counselor was validated. Longer term adherence programs should be evaluated.

Influenza vaccination: a collaborative effort to improve the health of the community.

BACKGROUND: The need to improve influenza vaccination delivery in our community became painfully clear during the winter of 1997-1998 when high rates of respiratory illness led to congestion in the emergency department and a critical shortage of hospital beds. In response, the local hospital and the Department of Health launched a collaborative program to increase influenza vaccine coverage in the community. METHODS: The partnership was designed to increase the number of citizens receiving influenza vaccine and to moderate the severity of lower respiratory tract illness during the winter season. A variety of methods were used to increase public awareness, enhance vaccine delivery, and create a relatively seamless service for the community. RESULTS: During three seasons, influenza vaccination rates increased by a relative 150%. This represented immunization of 16% of the entire community and more than 75% of residents older than 65 years. Hospital employee vaccination rates also rose from 34% to 58%. When compared with other hospitals in the county, the campaign reduced the average number of annual visits to the emergency department for all respiratory diagnoses by 34% and exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by 46%. CONCLUSIONS: This influenza vaccination program illustrates the potential for synergy that exists between local departments of health and community hospitals in successfully increasing vaccine delivery to the community. Furthermore, it also suggests that such efforts can be successful in reducing use of the emergency department, resulting in a positive impact on the health of the community.