Positive deviance in infection prevention and control: A systematic literature review.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) remain a major challenge. Various strategies have been tried to prevent or control HAIs. Positive deviance, a strategy that has been used in the last decade, is based on the observation that a few at-risk individuals follow uncommon, useful practices and that, consequently, they experience better outcomes than their peers who share similar risks. We performed a systematic literature review to measure the impact of positive deviance in controlling HAIs. METHODS: A systematic search strategy was used to search PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, and Embase through May 2020 for studies evaluating positive deviance as a single intervention or as part of an initiative to prevent or control healthcare-associated infections. The risk of bias was evaluated using the Downs and Black score. RESULTS: Of 542 articles potentially eligible for review, 14 articles were included for further analysis. All studies were observational, quasi-experimental (before-and-after intervention) studies. Hand hygiene was the outcome in 8 studies (57%), and an improvement was observed in association with implementation of positive deviance as a single intervention in all of them. Overall HAI rates were measured in 5 studies (36%), and positive deviance was associated with an observed reduction in 4 (80%) of them. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus infections were evaluated in 5 studies (36%), and positive deviance containing bundles were successful in all of them. CONCLUSIONS: Positive deviance may be an effective strategy to improve hand hygiene and control HAIs. Further studies are needed to confirm this effect.

Bat intrusions at a tertiary care center in Iowa, 2018-2020.

We described the epidemiology of bat intrusions into a hospital and subsequent management of exposures during 2018-2020. Most intrusions occurred in older buildings during the summer and fall months. Hospitals need bat intrusion surveillance systems and protocols for bat handling, exposure management, and intrusion mitigation.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) admission screening and assessment of infectiousness at an academic medical center in Iowa, 2020.

OBJECTIVE: Patients admitted to the hospital may unknowingly carry severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and hospitals have implemented SARS-CoV-2 admission screening. However, because SARS-CoV-2 reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays may remain positive for months after infection, positive results may represent active or past infection. We determined the prevalence and infectiousness of patients who were admitted for reasons unrelated to COVID-19 but tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 on admission screening. METHODS: We conducted an observational study at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics from July 7 to October 25, 2020. All patients admitted without suspicion of COVID-19 were included, and medical records of those with a positive admission screening test were reviewed. Infectiousness was determined using patient history, PCR cycle threshold (Ct) value, and serology. RESULTS: In total, 5,913 patients were screened and admitted for reasons unrelated to COVID-19. Of these, 101 had positive admission RT-PCR results; 36 of these patients were excluded because they had respiratory signs/symptoms on admission on chart review. Also, 65 patients (1.1%) did not have respiratory symptoms. Finally, 55 patients had Ct values available and were included in this analysis. The median age of the final cohort was 56 years and 51% were male. Our assessment revealed that 23 patients (42%) were likely infectious. The median duration of in-hospital isolation was 5 days for those likely infectious and 2 days for those deemed noninfectious. CONCLUSIONS: SARS-CoV-2 was infrequent among patients admitted for reasons unrelated to COVID-19. An assessment of the likelihood of infectiousness using clinical history, RT-PCR Ct values, and serology may help in making the determination to discontinue isolation and conserve resources.

Peritonitis in children on peritoneal dialysis: 12 years of tertiary center experience.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Peritoneal dialysis (PD) associated peritonitis is the most common cause of morbidity, mortality, and treatment failure in patients undergoing PD. We aimed to identify the incidence, pathogens, antibiotic susceptibility, and the outcome of peritoneal dialysis (PD)-associated peritonitis in children. METHODS: Data from medical records of children who underwent PD between 2007 and 2018 in King Fahad Medical City were retrospectively collected. All children aged <14 years undergoing chronic PD were included. The demographic characteristics of patients, peritonitis rates, and clinical outcomes were collected. RESULTS: In total, 131 children [boys, 68 (51.9%)] underwent automated PD for 305 years. The most common age group was 6-12 years (61 patients, 46.6%). A total of 74.0% of patients were new to dialysis; 25.2% were transferred from hemodialysis. Peritonitis incidence was 0.6 episodes/patient-year. Gram-positive and -negative organisms were identified in 50.1% and 22% episodes, respectively, whereas cultures remained negative in 20.5% episodes. Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was the most common isolated organism (22.1%), followed by methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (11.1%). Peritonitis was resolved in 153 (73.6%) episodes, whereas 52 (25.0%) episodes required removal through the catheter. The multivariate logistic regression analysis found the exit site infection to be a risk factor for catheter removal. Three (1.4%) episodes caused death due to peritonitis complicated by septic shock . CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed that the most common organisms causing peritonitis were similar to those reported in the previous international registry. The rate of peritonitis was high, but markedly improved in the past two years.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 Serial Testing Among Hospitalized Patients in a Midwest Tertiary Medical Center, July-September 2020.

We implemented serial coronavirus disease 2019 testing for inpatients with a negative test on admission. The conversion rate (negative to positive) on repeat testing was 1%. We identified patients during their incubation period and hospital-onset cases, rapidly isolated them, and potentially reduced exposures. Serial testing and infectiousness determination were resource intensive.

Administrative coding methods impact surgical site infection rates.

We performed a retrospective analysis of the impact of using the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision procedure coding system (ICD-10) or current procedural terminology (CPT) codes to calculate surgical site infection (SSI) rates. Denominators and SSI rates vary depending on the coding method used. The coding method used may influence interhospital performance comparisons.

Saudi teachers' confidence and attitude about their role in anaphylaxis management.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Anaphylaxis is a common emergency and life-threatening hypersensitivity reaction defined as a rapid generalized allergic reaction. Prior international studies have shown that school personnel is often not familiar with the signs of hypersensitivity or with appropriate management strategies that should be initiated at school for children with an anaphylactic reaction. Moreover, no studies have evaluated the awareness of anaphylaxis by school teachers in Saudi Arabia. The aim of this study was to determine teachers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward anaphylaxis in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted at a public school in Al-Qassim, Saudi Arabia via a validated fourteen items questionnaire aimed to survey teacher knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward anaphylaxis. The questionnaires were disseminated using a multistage random sampling technique to Saudi national's teachers from different regions in Al-Qassim. RESULTS: Most teachers had a low level of knowledge (85.3%) of anaphylaxis and positive attitudes (72.9%), and the level of practice was reported as low (48.9%) to moderate (47.5%). The most common sources of information regarding anaphylaxis were the internet and social media. When considering significant factors associated with knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP), we found that sex, years of experience in teaching and witnessing students suffering from anaphylaxis were all positively associated with KAP. CONCLUSION: The overall knowledge and practices of teachers regarding anaphylactic reactions were poor, although teachers' attitudes toward learning this information were positive. Thus, teachers need further education regarding the management of allergic reaction.

Parents awareness toward antibiotics use in upper respiratory tract infection in children in Al-Qassim region, Saudi Arabia.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate parents' awareness toward antibiotics use in upper respiratory tract infection in children. METHODS: This cross-sectional study conducted in Al-Qassim using validated and translated questionnaire whish was distributed using what's app. over a period of 3 months, extended from May 2018 to July 2018. RESULTS: The number of respondents were 405, majority 81% chose physicians as the main source of information about antibiotic use. Forty-four percent of parents agreed that most URTIs are viral in origin and self-limiting without needing antibiotics. However, 19% of parents believed that antibiotics should be given to all children who have a fever. Fifty two percent were aware that inappropriate use of antibiotics reduces antibiotic efficacy and drives bacterial resistance. Sixty percent of participants chose antibiotics as the treatment they anticipated to be recommended. Fever was the dominant symptom among others of URTI, that would make (21.7%) always ask physicians to prescribe antibiotics. Parents who never asked paediatricians to prescribed antibiotics for their children were (36.5%). The attitude and practice of the participants were associated with the number of children they had; parents with five children or more had a lower attitude and practice score. CONCLUSION: this study found that majority of the participant were educated but with poor attitude and practice. Although parents are concerned about the use of over counter antibiotics, often demand it. Considering that parents are unaware of indications and subsequent complications of using over counter antibiotics, they often request mentioned drugs, showing concern nonetheless. the need to understand parents' knowledge, attitude and practice regarding the use of antibiotics for URTIs is required in creating suitable interventional educational programs and raise awareness to avoid futile antibiotic use.

Premature Infant with Haemophilus parainfluenzae Sepsis: Case Report and Literature Review.

Haemophilus parainfluenzae is an unusual causative organism of invasive bacterial infection in adults and children. Mortality and morbidity secondary to Haemophilus parainfluenzae have been documented in the literature. We present a rare case of a premature infant with early onset sepsis caused by Haemophilus parainfluenzae, who was born to a primigravida with chorioamnionitis. The infant was successfully treated for 10 days with antibiotics with no complications.