Surveillance of surgical site infections in elective colorectal surgery. Results of the VINCat Program (2007-2010).

The VINCat Program is a standardized surveillance program of healthcare infections in Catalonia, Spain. This program includes monitoring of surgical site infections (SSI) of elective colorectal surgery. The aim of this study was to define SSI rates in colorectal surgery among VINCat hospitals over a period of 4 years. We included consecutive elective colorectal interventions performed in VINCat hospitals from 2007 to 2010. Follow-up visits were performed 30 days after surgery. Prospective monitoring of SSI in colorectal surgery was performed according to standardized VINCat methodology. SSI was defined according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and surgical risk factors according to the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) classification. From 2007 to 2010, 49 centers performed 10,104 surgical procedures. The cumulative incidence of SSI was 20.8% (95% CI: 20.03-21.63). The annual cumulative SSI incidence rate did not vary significantly over the study period; however, there were significant differences among hospital infection rates. The relative frequency of organ-space infection increased from 25% in 2007 to 40% in 2010 (p<0.001). Laparoscopic surgery also increased (28% in 2007 to 42% in 2010, p<0.001). However, no changes were observed in mean surgery duration, ASA score and degree of surgical contamination. The VINCat Program incorporated a large number of Catalan hospitals that participated in standardized monitoring of colorectal surgery. The cumulative incidence rate of SSI for colorectal surgery was 20.8%, although there were large variations between hospitals.

Epidemiology of surgical site infections after total hip and knee joint replacement during 2007-2009: a report from the VINCat Program.

The VINCat Program is a system for epidemiological surveillance of healthcare-related infections in which the majority of Catalan hospitals participate. It has a specific module for surgical site infections (SSI) surveillance. Primary hip and knee arthroplasties are basic indicators of the program due to their high frequency and the important morbidity of SSI of these sites. Results are presented for surgical site infection (SSI) surveillance of primary hip and knee arthroplasties for the first three years of the VINCat Program. The program requires SSI surveillance to be performed in a standardized, prospective and continuous manner by an infection control team from the centers. With primary arthroplasties, as with all procedures involving implants, the surveillance is maintained for 1 year after the intervention. The VINCat Program uses the SSI definitions of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and patients are stratified by surgical risk, following the classification of the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN). During the period 2007-2009, 51 Catalan hospitals participated in the SSI surveillance of prosthetic orthopedic surgery. The overall SSI rate in the interventions for total primary hip prosthesis (7,804 procedures) was 3.0% (IC 95%: 2.6-3.4) and for total primary knee prosthesis (16,781 procedures) was 3.3% (IC95%: 3.0-3.6). During the period 2007-2009, the overall SSI rates for total primary hip and knee arthroplasty were higher than those published by some surveillance systems in our environment. There were significant differences in the infection rates by procedure and in those adjusted by risk among the different hospitals.

Cambios en el control de la infección nosocomial: nuevos retos y competencias de la enfermera de control de infección / Changes in nosocomial infection control: new challenges and responsibilities for the infection control nurse

En las últimas décadas ha habido un incremento en la complejidad de la vigilancia, el control y la prevención de las infecciones nosocomiales. Esta complejidad viene dada principalmente por la reducción de las estancias hospitalarias, la atención fuera del ámbito hospitalario, atención primaria y domiciliaria, los centros de día y sociosanitarios, el aumento de pacientes ancianos y con afecciones más graves, la aparición de microorganismos multirresistentes, las enfermedades emergentes, además de los requerimientos de acreditación por parte de las administraciones. Este contexto ha hecho que la enfermera de control de infección asuma otras responsabilidades además del control de infecciones, como la seguridad del paciente, la calidad asistencial, etc. A raíz de estos cambios, las organizaciones profesionales dedicadas al control de infección creen que la dotación de enfermeras no debe basarse en el número de camas, sino en la complejidad de sus funciones. Para ello se deberán establecer criterios para seleccionar los indicadores de control de infección y se tendrá que demostrar el coste-beneficio de estos programas (AU)

The complexity of surveillance, prevention, and control of nosocomial infections has increased over the last decades, owing to reductions in the length of hospital stay, health care practice outside of the hospital (home care, day hospital care, long-term care facilities, nursing homes), the increase in the number of elderly patients, new and emerging diseases, multidrug-resistant pathogens, and the administrative requirements for accreditation. In this setting, infection control nurses are progressively assuming new responsibilities in addition to infection control, such as ensuring the safety of the patient, guaranteeing health care quality, and other tasks. In the light of these changes, professional organizations of infection control personnel have voiced the opinion that staffing for infection control work should not be based solely on the number of hospital beds, but also on the complexity of the tasks involved, which should be defined according to standardized criteria and infection control indicators. In addition, the cost-benefit relationship of infection control programs should be demonstrated (AU)

[Changes in nosocomial infection control: new challenges and responsibilities for the infection control nurse]. / Cambios en el control de la infección nosocomial: nuevos retos y competencias de la enfermera de control de infección.

The complexity of surveillance, prevention, and control of nosocomial infections has increased over the last decades, owing to reductions in the length of hospital stay, health care practice outside of the hospital (home care, day hospital care, long-term care facilities, nursing homes), the increase in the number of elderly patients, new and emerging diseases, multidrug-resistant pathogens, and the administrative requirements for accreditation. In this setting, infection control nurses are progressively assuming new responsibilities in addition to infection control, such as ensuring the safety of the patient, guaranteeing health care quality, and other tasks. In the light of these changes, professional organizations of infection control personnel have voiced the opinion that staffing for infection control work should not be based solely on the number of hospital beds, but also on the complexity of the tasks involved, which should be defined according to standardized criteria and infection control indicators. In addition, the cost-benefit relationship of infection control programs should be demonstrated.

[Usefulness of risk indexes for the prediction of surgical site infection in patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures]. / Utilidad de los índices compuestos de riesgo para predecir el desarrollo de infección quirúrgica en neurocirugía.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The use of risk indexes, originally developed in the US for the assessment of SSI risk, is an useful instrument that must be analyzed according to each specific procedure. The addition of other possible SSI risk factors, like the use of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis, could improve the predictive value of these indexes. The aim of this study was to determine the SSI incidence rate for craniotomy in patients admitted to the Neurosurgical Unit of the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona (Spain), to assess the use of standard NNIS and SENIC indexes, and to assess the possible effect of the addition of a new risk factor (adequate or inadequate use of perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis) to these indexes. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Risk factors for SSI were assessed following common standard definitions and procedures (CDC-NNIS) over a three-year period (1999-2001). NNIS and SENIC risk indexes were calculated. The effect of the addition of a new variable, namely perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis adequate (0 points) or inappropriate/no prophylaxis (1 point) on these indexes (modified indexes NNISa and SENICa) was also assessed. Statistical analysis included both parametric and non-parametric standard tests. RESULTS: The study included a total of 203 patients undergoing a craniotomy procedure (40% of all neurosurgical procedures). The overall SSI incidence rate was 6.8% (14 patients developed SSI). The cut-off point (75 percentile) for the duration of the procedure was 180 minutes instead of the commonly US reported 240 minutes. Patients who develop SSI had a trend towards having shorter operation times. For those patients in the lower risk groups, the SSI incidence rate was: NNIS (0, 1): 6.9%; SENIC (0, 1): 6.2%. If the modified indexes were used, the SSI incidence rate was: NNISa (0, 1): 4.2%; SENICa (0, 1): 4.9%. When NNIS and SENIC indexes, both standard and modified (NNISa and SENICa), were compared, no statistically significant differences between infected and non-infected patients were observed. CONCLUSIONS: When applied to a health system other than the US, SENIC and NNIS indexes could be useful if adapted to each specific situation and procedure. The added value of a new risk factor (perioperative antibiotic prophylaxis) on standard NNIS and SENIC indexes shows a slight improvement in their prediction rate for SSI in patients undergoing craniotomy, mainly in those patients at lower risk for developing superficial SSI.

Utilidad de los índices compuestos de riesgo para predecir el desarrollo de infección quirúrgica en neurocirugía / Usefulness of risk indexes for the prediction of surgical site infection in patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures

FUNDAMENTO Y OBJETIVO: Los accidentes por exposición a material biológico son los más frecuentes en los trabajadores sanitarios. Entre ellos, las lesiones percutáneas producidas por agujas canuladas son las que se asocian a un mayor riesgo de adquisición de infecciones por microorganismos de transmisión sérica. En este trabajo se describen las exposiciones ocupacionales percutáneas y los factores de riesgo asociados a las causadas por agujas canuladas, recogidos en un sistema de vigilancia multicéntrico nacional. PACIENTES Y MÉTODO: Estudio prospectivo y analítico de las exposiciones percutáneas notificadas al sistema EPINETAC (Exposure Prevention Information Network) en España entre 1996 y 2000. Se realiza un estudio descriptivo de las variables relacionadas con el profesional expuesto, la exposición y su mecanismo de producción, y el paciente fuente de la exposición. Se han calculado las incidencias de exposición por cada 100 camas y por categoría laboral. Se ha realizado un análisis multivariable para conocer los factores de riesgo asociados a las exposiciones por agujas canuladas. RESULTADOS: Se ha declarado un total de 16.374 accidentes percutáneos, el 87 por ciento con aguja canulada. La incidencia de exposiciones ha sido de 11,8 exposiciones por cada 100 camas. Las matronas son el colectivo profesional con mayor riesgo (9 exposiciones por cada 100 matronas). Los factores que se asocian más a los accidentes con aguja canulada han sido los siguientes: categoría laboral de matrona (odds ratio [OR] = 7,5; intervalo de confianza [IC] del 95 por ciento, 4,1-13,7) y estudiantes de enfermería (OR = 2,1; IC del 95 por ciento, 1,2-3,7), reencapuchado de la aguja (OR = 28,8; IC del 95 por ciento, 16,5-50,6), trabajar en el área de extracciones (OR = 3,3; IC del 95 por ciento, 1,2-9,5) y en hemodiálisis (OR = 2,5; IC del 95 por ciento, 1,4-4,3). CONCLUSIONES: La incidencia de exposición ocupacional percutánea en España es similar a la descrita en otros países que usan sistemas de vigilancia comparables. El riesgo de exposición con agujas canuladas está directamente relacionado con la categoría laboral, la experiencia profesional, el área de trabajo y la actividad realizada (AU)

[Central-venous catheter-related infections and intensive care unit organization systems (EPIC Study, Spain)]. / Infecciones relacionadas con el uso de catéteres venosos centrales y sistemas organizativos de las unidades de cuidados intensivos (estudio EPIC).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Central venous catheter (CVC)-related nosocomial bacteremia is an important problem at the ICU. The possible role of organizational factors, as well as health care workers experience, for developing these infections is not well known. We aimed to identify the possible relationships and differences between the health care process, organizational features of the institutions and the development of CVC-related nosocomial infections. We also compared the results of the Spanish participating hospital with those of an international group of hospitals. PATIENTS AND METHOD: The EPIC study (Evaluation of Processes and Indicators in Infection Control) includes a total of 56 hospitals from different countries. The Hospital Clínic of Barcelona was the only Spanish participant. Each Hospital selects, by means of a random process, 5 ICU patients per month with a recently placed CVC. Data related to the CVC insertion process, follow-up and care of the CVC, time dedication of nursing personnel, days of stay and episodes of CVC-related bacteremia per 1000 patient-days of CVC use were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 3,298 patients with a CVC were included, and 89 episodes of CVC-related nosocomial bacteremia were identified (3.86 episodes per 1000 CVC-days). The Hospital Clínic included 67 patients with a CVC and identified 1.96 episodes of CVC-related nosocomial bacteremia per 1000 CVC-days. When compared to the international group of hospitals, the Spanish centre used sterile drapes more frequently for fixing the CVC (70% vs. 23%), each Health Care Worker inserted fewer CVC (average over last 6 months: 24 vs 50) and CVC were more frequently inserted by Registered Nurses (48% vs. 4%). The type of CVC more commonly used in Spain was a peripherically-inserted CVC (48% vs. 6%), and the CVC was withdrawn from patients less commonly before discharge from the ICU (16% vs. 43%). Mean total number of hours of nursing dedication was lower in Spain, with lower personnel ratios (number of nurses' hours) per day of stay (12 vs. 15). CONCLUSIONS: The EPIC study provides a valid tool for assessing the results of the process of health care, and for linking the outcomes to this process. The results registered at the Spanish hospital seem to be adequate, yet some differences in the health care process are identified.

Infecciones relacionadas con el uso de catéteres venosos centrales y sistemas organizativos de las unidades de cuidados intensivos (estudio EPIC) / Central-venous catheter-related infections and intensive care unit organization systems (EPIC Study, Spain)

FUNDAMENTO Y OBJETIVO: La bacteriemia nosocomial relacionada con el empleo de catéteres venosos centrales (CVC) es un problema importante en las unidades de cuidados intensivos (UCI). El papel que desempeñan el sistema organizativo y la experiencia de los profesionales sanitarios en este proceso es poco conocido. El objetivo de este estudio fue identificar posibles relaciones y diferencias entre los procesos asistenciales, la organización de las UCI y el desarrollo de bacteriemia nosocomial relacionada con el uso de CVC y analizar los resultados de un hospital español junto a los registrados en un grupo internacional de hospitales. PACIENTES Y MÉTODO: El estudio EPIC (Evaluation of Processes and Indicators in Infection Control) incluyó hospitales de distintos países. El Hospital Clínic de Barcelona fue el único participante español. Cada centro seleccionó, mediante un muestreo aleatorio, a 5 pacientes por mes, ingresados en una misma UCI, a los que se había colocado recientemente (en un intervalo inferior a 24 h) un CVC. Se obtuvieron datos relativos al proceso de inserción del CVC, su seguimiento y sus cuidados, dedicación del personal de enfermería, número de días de estancia en UCI y episodios de bacteriemia nosocomial por 1.000 días de uso de CVC. RESULTADOS: Se incluyó a un total de 3.298 pacientes portadores de CVC, en los que se registraron 89 episodios de bacteriemia nosocomial (3,86 episodios por 1.000 días de uso de catéter). El Hospital Clinic incluyó a 67 pacientes, en los que se registraron 1,96 episodios de bacteriemia nosocomial por 1.000 días de uso de CVC. El centro español empleaba con más frecuencia gasa estéril y cinta adhesiva para la fijación del CVC que el grupo internacional de 55 hospitales (70 frente al 23 por ciento), cada profesional sanitario español colocaba menos CVC en promedio en los 6 meses precedentes que sus colegas internacionales (24 frente a 50) y los CVC eran colocados en el Hospital Clínic con mayor frecuencia por personal de enfermería (48 frente al 4 por ciento). El tipo de CVC más empleado en el Hospital Clínic era el de inserción periférica (48 frente al 6 por ciento), y era retirado antes del alta del paciente de la UCI en menos ocasiones (16 frente al 43 por ciento). La media de horas totales de dedicación de personal de enfermería era más baja en España, con índices de personal (número de horas de enfermería) por día de estancia del paciente también inferiores a los internacionales (12 frente a 15). CONCLUSIONES: El estudio EPIC proporciona un conjunto de instrumentos válidos para evaluar el proceso asistencial y relacionar este proceso con sus resultados. Los resultados finales observados en el hospital español son adecuados, y se observan diferencias notables en el proceso asistencial (AU)