Advancing Antibiotic Stewardship Nursing Practice Through Standardized Education: A Pilot Study.

Background Antibiotic resistance is a leading global public health threat. Nurses are well positioned to optimize antibiotic use via targeted antibiotic stewardship (AS) nursing practices. However, standardized AS education for nurses is lacking. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of an online AS for nurses continuing education program on nurses' antibiotic resistance, antibiotic, and AS knowledge and their intent to integrate AS into their clinical practice. Method A quasi-experiential pretest-posttest design was used with a convenience sample of nurses at a U.S. academic medical center. Focus groups were conducted with those completing the program. Results Forty-seven of 100 eligible nurses completed the program and the pre- and posttest surveys. Participation resulted in statistically significant increases (p < .05) in antibiotic resistance, antibiotic, and AS knowledge, confidence, and perceptions related to the role of nursing in AS. Focus group participants had multiple recommendations for ways to integrate AS in daily nursing practice. Conclusion Completing a comprehensive AS nursing continuing education program could prove instrumental to motivating nurses to adopt AS nursing practices. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2022;53(9):417-423.].

Analysis of blood type for SARS-CoV-2 and correlation for disease acquisition in various sociodemographic groups including women of childbearing age.

BACKGROUND: Multiple studies have occurred to determine if a patient's blood type, Rhesus factor (Rh), and sociodemographic attributes contribute to contracting SARS-CoV-2. True association remains unknown. METHODS: Inclusion criteria included in-patients who were tested for SARS-CoV-2 with blood type assessed. Study endpoints combined ABO, Rh and all-cause inpatient mortality (ACIM) with testing positivity. Pregnancy status was one of several secondary endpoints evaluated. A logistic regression analysis was used to estimate association. RESULTS: Of the 27,662 patients who met inclusion criteria, Type A blood was associated with increased positivity [1.01 (1.0-1.21), P = .03]. Type B [1.10 (0.99-1.23), P = .08] and AB [0.98 (0.81-1.19), P = .84] showed no association. When evaluating ACIM, type A [1.18 (0.91-1.52), P = .22], B [1.13 (0.82- 1.56), P = .480], and AB [1.06 (0.62-1.81), P = .839] were not associated with increased mortality. The female subgroup was less likely to test positive [0.88 (0.82-0.986), P = .002]. Black patients demonstrated a higher likelihood of positivity when compared to White [1.96 (1.79-2.14), P < .001]. Non-pregnant women exhibited a 2.5 times greater likelihood of testing positive [2.49 (2.04-3.04), P < .001]. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms results of previous research which showed SARS-Co-V-2 positivity related to blood type. It also confirms more recent research demonstrating inequities related to acquisition of SARS-CoV-2 for certain sociodemographic groups. Larger studies are warranted to confirm and further explore novel pregnancy findings.

A novel framework to guide antibiotic stewardship nursing practice.

BACKGROUND: There is a pervasive view among some nurses and health care disciplines that antibiotic stewardship (AS) is solely a physician or pharmacist responsibility. There is an urgent need to alter this view so that nurses can seize every opportunity to prevent patient harm from antibiotics and optimize antibiotic use. One challenge to achieving full nurse engagement as equal members of the AS team is lack of an organizing framework to illustrate relationships of phenomena and concepts inherent to adoption of AS nursing practices. METHODS: We sought to create a framework derived from the peer-reviewed literature, systematic and scoping reviews, and professional standards, consensus statements and white papers. The emerging framework went through multiple iterations as it was vetted with nurse clinicians, scholars and educators, physicians, pharmacists, infection preventionists and AS subject matter experts. RESULTS: Our evidence-based Antibiotic Stewardship Nursing Practice SCAN-P Framework provides the much-needed context and clarity to help guide local-level nurses to participate in and lead AS nursing practice. CONCLUSIONS: Nurses worldwide are ideally situated to provide holistic person-centered care, advocate for judicious use of antibiotics to minimize antibiotic resistance, and be AS educators of their patients, communities and the general public. The Antibiotic Stewardship Nursing Practice SCAN-P Framework provides a tool to do so.

Post-Dialysis Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy in Patients Receiving Intermittent High-Flux Hemodialysis.

Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) requiring intermittent hemodialysis (IHD) are at increased risk of infection, which represents a leading cause of mortality in this population. The use of additional vascular access devices such as peripherally inserted central catheters to treat such infections should be minimized in patients with ESRD requiring IHD in order to mitigate complications such as infection and thrombosis and to maintain venous patency for hemodialysis access. Intravenous antimicrobial dosing following IHD has the advantages of avoiding additional access devices and providing convenience for patients and providers. Vancomycin, cefazolin, and aminoglycosides have historically been regarded as the primary intravenous antimicrobials administered with IHD given their relatively low cost, convenient dosing, and longevity of clinical use. Despite this, a growing body of literature is evaluating the use of an expanded list of antimicrobials that may be employed using post-dialysis dosing for patients requiring IHD; however, the available data are largely limited to pharmacokinetic studies and small cohorts of infected patients or uninfected subjects. Post-dialytic dosing of intravenous antimicrobials may be considered on a patient-by-patient basis after careful consideration of clinical, microbiological, and logistical factors that may influence the probability of treatment success. This document reviews and evaluates currently available information on the post-dialytic administration of an expanded list of intravenous antimicrobials in the setting of thrice-weekly, high-flux IHD.

Ceftolozane-Tazobactam for the Treatment of Multidrug-Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infections: A Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections remain common in hospitals worldwide. We investigated the outcomes associated with the use of ceftolozane-tazobactam for the treatment of these infections. METHODS: Data were collected retrospectively from 20 hospitals across the United States about adults who received ceftolozane-tazobactam for the treatment of multidrug-resistant P aeruginosa infections of any source for at least 24 hours. The primary outcome was a composite of 30-day and inpatient mortality, and secondary outcomes were clinical success and microbiological cure. Multivariable regression analysis was conducted to determine factors associated with outcomes. RESULTS: Two-hundred five patients were included in the study. Severe illness and high degrees of comorbidity were common, with median Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II scores of 19 (interquartile range [IQR], 11-24) and median Charlson Comorbidity Indexes of 4 (IQR, 3-6). Delayed initiation of ceftolozane-tazobactam was common with therapy started a median of 9 days after culture collection. Fifty-nine percent of patients had pneumonia. On susceptibility testing, 125 of 139 (89.9%) isolates were susceptible to ceftolozane-tazobactam. Mortality occurred in 39 patients (19%); clinical success and microbiological cure were 151 (73.7%) and 145 (70.7%), respectively. On multivariable regression analysis, starting ceftolozane-tazobactam within 4 days of culture collection was associated with survival (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 5.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.14-14.40), clinical success (adjusted OR, 2.93; 95% CI, 1.40-6.10), and microbiological cure (adjusted OR, 2.59; 95% CI, 1.24-5.38). CONCLUSIONS: Ceftolozane-tazobactam appeared to be effective in the treatment of multidrug-resistant P aeruginosa infections, particularly when initiated early after the onset of infection.

An Unusual ST Elevation in a Case of Left Atrial Myxoma.

Myxomas are the most common and potentially dangerous benign tumours of the heart. They may have either smooth or papillary surfaces and may have thrombus adherent. As both the papillary excrescences and the surface thrombi are friable in nature hence may undergo embolization. We report a case of left atrial myxoma, which underwent excision of the tumour for mitral valve obstructive features. In the immediate postoperative period patient developed ST elevation in lead II, III and aVF. Coronary angiogram revealed normal coronary pattern. Patient was treated with aspirin, heparin and IABP for 48 hours and recovered well. We conclude that there is a tendency for spontaneous recanalization of the obstructed coronary vessels by tumour emboli, hence patient can be managed conservatively.