Profile of patients in private home care who developed ventilator-associated pneumonia.

OBJECTIVES: to analyze the profile and clinical outcomes of patients who developed Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) in private home care and to compare the incidence with national data. METHODS: this was a retrospective study with data collected from July 2021 to June 2022 from patient records at a private clinic. Patients using intermittent ventilation or without ventilatory support were excluded. RESULTS: the utilization rate of mechanical ventilation was 15.9%. The incidence density of pneumonia in pediatrics was 2.2 cases per 1000 ventilation-days and in adults was 1.7 cases per 1000 ventilation-days, figures lower than those reported by the National Health Surveillance Agency. There were 101 episodes of pneumonia in 73 patients, predominantly male (65.8%), adults (53.4%), and those with neurological diseases (57.5%). The treatment regimen predominantly took place at home (80.2%), and there was one death. CONCLUSIONS: patients in home care showed a low incidence and mortality rate from ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Genomic and Phylogenomic Characterization of Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa 'High-risk' Clone O4/ExoS+/ST654 Circulating in Chilean Hospitals.

INTRODUCTION: Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA) is a serious threat to public health. Globally, carbapenemases-producing CRPA isolates mainly belong to 'high-risk' clones; however, the molecular epidemiology of CRPA isolates circulating in Chile are scarce, where this pathogen is the main aetiological agent of ventilator-associated pneumonia. OBJECTIVES: To characterize the phylogenomics and molecular features of ST654 CRPA isolates collected in Chile between 2016 and 2022. METHODS: Eighty-nine CRPA isolates collected in different Chilean hospitals from clinical specimens between 2005 and 2022 were analysed. Antibiotic susceptibility tests and carbapenemases production were carried out on the CRPA ST654 isolates. Also, they were subjected to whole-genome sequencing, from which in silico analyses were performed. RESULTS: Thirty-four strains (38.2%) belonged to the ST654 high-risk clone, being the most predominant lineage of the collection. Most of these isolates belonged to a subclade including KPC producers that also clustered with strains from Argentina and the United States, whereas few VIM and NDM co-producers clustered in two different smaller subclades. The isolates exhibited a broad resistome encompassing genes mediating resistance to several other clinically relevant drugs. Additionally, all the 34 ST654 isolates were ExoS+ as a virulence factor and associated to the O4-serotype. CONCLUSIONS: Our report represents the most comprehensive phylogenomic study of a CRPA high-risk clone ST654 to date. Our analyses suggest that this lineage is undergoing a divergent evolutionary path in Chile, because most of the isolates were KPC producers and were O4 serotype, differing from previous descriptions, which underline the relevance of performing molecular surveillance on this pathogen.

Impacto de la implementación de la estrategia multimodal de la OMS para mejorar la higiene de manos en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos / Impact on implementation of multimodal of World Health Organization strategies to improve hand hygiene in an Intensive Care Unit

INTRODUCCIÓN: La higiene de manos (HM) es la principal medida para disminuir las IAAS, las que en las Unidades de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) presentan una alta prevalencia. En Chile no existe información sobre el impacto de la estrategia multimodal de la OMS para la HM en adultos. El objetivo fue evaluar el impacto de la implementación de la estrategia en una UPC. METODOLOGÍA: Estudio longitudinal con evaluación pre y post-intervención, entre los años 2018 y 2021, en la UCI del Hospital del Trabajador (HT), Santiago, Chile. La implementación se evaluó con pautas de cumplimiento de HM, consumo de jabón y productos en base alcohólica (PBA). El impacto se midió con las tasas de neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica (NAVM), infecciones del torrente sanguíneo asociadas a CVC (ITS- CVC) y del tracto urinario por CUP (ITU-CUP), y la incidencia anual de dermatitis. RESULTADOS: El cumplimiento de pautas aumentó de 91 a 96% (p < 0,05). El consumo total de productos para la HM aumentó de 0,17 a 0,31 L/día/cama y de PBA en 10%. Las tasas de IAAS pre y post-intervención fueron para NAVM de 10,3 y 8,4; ITS-CVC de 0,8 y 1,5 e ITU-CUP de 4,2 y 5,3 por 1.000 días de exposición. La incidencia anual de dermatitis disminuyó en 30% (p < 0,05). CONCLUSIONES: La implementación de la estrategia multimodal se asoció a una disminución de las tasas de NAVM y de dermatitis en la UCI del HT.

INTRODUCTION: Hand hygiene is the main measure to decrease infections related to healthcare and the Intensive Care Unit has a high prevalence. In Chile there aren't reports about the impact of the World Health Organization multimodal hand hygiene improvement strategy. AIM: To assess the implementation impact of this strategy at the ICU. METHODOLOGY: Longitudinal study with pre- and postintervention evaluation during the years 2018-2021 at ICU. The implementation was assessed against hand hygiene compliance guidelines, soap consumption and alcohol-based products. The impact was evaluated with the rates of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), catheter related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) and catheter associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) and the annual dermatitis incidence. RESULTS: The guidelines compliance increased from 91% to 96% (p < 0.05). The total product consumption increased from 0.17 to 0.31 Liters/day/bed. The use of alcohol-based products increased by 10%. HAI rates pre- and post-intervention were for VAP 10.3 and 8.4, CRBSI 0.8 and 1.5 and CAUTI 4.2 and 5.3. The annual dermatitis incidence decreased by 30.8% (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The strategy implementation benefited the decrease of VAP and the dermatitis prevention in ICU.

Data quality review of the Brazilian nosocomial infections surveillance system.

BACKGROUND: Surveillance of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) is an essential component of hospital infection prevention and control systems. We aimed to assess the quality of the data compiled by the Brazilian HAI Surveillance System from pediatric (PICUs) and neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), between 2012 and 2021. METHODS: Data Quality Review, including adherence, completeness, internal consistency, consistency over time, and consistency of population trend, were computed at both national and state levels based on quality metrics from World Health Organization Toolkit. Incidence rates (or incidence density) of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) were obtained from the Brazilian National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) system. Data on sepsis-related mortality, spanning the period from 2012 to 2021, were extracted from the Brazilian National Health Service database (DATASUS). Additionally, correlations between sepsis-related mortality and incidence rates of VAP or CLABSI were calculated. RESULTS: Throughout the majority of the study period, adherence to VAP reporting remained below 75%, exhibiting a positive trend post-2016. Widespread outliers, as well as inconsistencies over time and in population trends, were evident across all 27 states. Only four states maintained consistent adherence levels above 75% for more than 8 years regarding HAI incidence rates. Notably, CLABSI in NICUs boasted the highest reporting adherence among all HAIs, with 148 periods out of 270 (54.8%) exhibiting reporting adherence surpassing 75%. Three states achieved commendable metrics for CLABSI in PICUs, while five states demonstrated favorable results for CLABSI in NICUs. CONCLUSIONS: While adherence to HAI report is improving among Brazilian states, an important room for improvement in the Brazilian NNIS exists. Additional efforts should be made by the Brazilian government to improve the reliability of HAI data, which could serve as valuable guidance for hospital infection prevention and control policies.

Estimating the savings of a national project to prevent healthcare-associated infections in intensive care units.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) have a significant impact on patients' morbidity and mortality, and have a detrimental financial impact on the healthcare system. Various strategies exist to prevent HAIs, but economic evaluations are needed to determine which are most appropriate. AIM: To present the financial impact of a nationwide project on HAI prevention in intensive care units (ICUs) using a quality improvement (QI) approach. METHODS: A health economic evaluation assessed the financial results of the QI initiative 'Saúde em Nossas Mãos' (SNM), implemented in Brazil between January 2018 and December 2020. Among 116 participating institutions, 13 (11.2%) fully reported the aggregate cost and stratified patients (with vs without HAIs) in the pre-intervention and post-intervention periods. Average cost (AC) was calculated for each analysed HAI: central-line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs), ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). The absorption model and time-driven activity-based costing were used for cost estimations. The numbers of infections that the project could have prevented during its implementation were estimated to demonstrate the financial impact of the SNM initiative. RESULTS: The aggregated ACs calculated for each HAI from these 13 ICUs - US$8480 for CLABSIs, US$10,039 for VAP, and US$7464 for CAUTIs - were extrapolated to the total number of HAIs prevented by the project (1727 CLABSIs, 3797 VAP and 2150 CAUTIs). The overall savings of the SNM as of December 2020 were estimated at US$68.8 million, with an estimated return on investment (ROI) of 765%. CONCLUSION: Reporting accurate financial data on HAI prevention strategies is still challenging in Brazil. These results suggest that a national QI initiative to prevent HAIs in critical care settings is a feasible and value-based approach, reducing financial waste and yielding a significant ROI for the healthcare system.

Application of ventilator-associated events (VAE) in ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) notified in Brazil (IMPACTO MR-PAV): a protocol for a cohort study.

INTRODUCTION: Certain criteria for ventilator-associated events (VAE) definition might influence the type of an event, its detection rate and consequently the resource expenditure in intensive care unit. The Impact of Infections by Antimicrobial-Resistant Microorganisms - Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (IMPACTO MR-PAV) aims to evaluate the incidence and diagnostic accuracy of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) using the current criteria for VAP surveillance in Brazil versus the VAE criteria defined by the US National Healthcare Safety Network-Center for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The study will be conducted in around 15 centres across Brazil from October 2022 to December 2023. Trained healthcare professionals will collect data and compare the incidence of VAP using both the current criteria for VAP surveillance in Brazil and the VAE criteria defined by the CDC. The accuracy of the two criteria for identifying VAP will also be analysed. It will also characterise other events associated with mechanical ventilation (ventilator-associated condition, infection-related ventilator-associated complication) and adjudicate VAP reported to the Brazilian Health Regulatory Agency (ANVISA) using current epidemiological diagnostic criteria. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: This study was approved by the Institutional Review Board under the number 52354721.0.1001.0070. The study's primary outcome measure will be the incidence of VAP using the two different surveillance criteria, and the secondary outcome measures will be the accuracy of the two criteria for identifying VAP and the adjudication of VAP reported to ANVISA. The results will contribute to the improvement of VAP surveillance in Brazil and may have implications for other countries that use similar criteria. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT05589727; Clinicaltrials.gov.

Sputtering of micro-carbon-silver film (µC-Ag) for endotracheal tubes to mitigate respiratory infections.

Polyurethane (PU) substrates are biocompatible materials widely used to manufacture endotracheal tubes. However, in common with other biomedical materials, they are liable to the formation of microbial films. The occurrence of pneumonia in intubated patients treated at intensive care units often takes the form of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). The issue relates to the translocation of pathogenic microorganisms that colonize the oropharyngeal mucosa, dental plaque, stomach, and sinuses. New protective materials can provide a more effective therapeutic approach to mitigating bacterial films. This work concerns microcrystalline carbon film containing dispersed silver nanoparticles (µC-Ag) deposited on PU substrates using a physical vapor deposition sputtering process. For the first time, carbon paper was used to produce a carbon target with holes exposing a silver disk positioned under the carbon paper, forming a single target for use in the sputtering system. The silver nanoparticles were well distributed in the carbon film. The adherence characteristics of the µC-Ag film were evaluated using a tape test technique, and electron dispersive x-ray mapping was performed to analyze the residual particles after the tape test. The microbicidal effect of the thin film was also investigated using speciesS. aureus, a pathogenic microorganism responsible for most infections of the lower respiratory tract involving VAP and ventilator-associated tracheobronchitis (VAT). The results demonstrated that µC-Ag films on PU substrates are promising materials for mitigating pathogenic microorganisms on endotracheal tubes.

Prevalence, outcomes, and predictors of multidrug-resistant nosocomial lower respiratory tract infections among patients in an ICU.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence, outcomes, and predictors of multidrug-resistant nosocomial lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) in patients in an ICU. METHODS: This was an observational cohort study involving patients with nosocomial LRTI (health care-associated pneumonia, hospital-acquired pneumonia, or ventilator-associated pneumonia). Data were prospectively collected between 2015 and 2019. The multidrug-resistant pathogens (MDRPs) identified in the isolates studied included resistant to extended-spectrum cephalosporin-resistant and carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus at microbiological diagnosis. RESULTS: During the study period, 267 patients in the ICU were diagnosed with LRTI, microbiological confirmation of LRTI having been obtained in 237. Of these, 146 (62%) had at least one MDRP isolate. Patients infected with MDRP were found to have poorer outcomes than patients infected with susceptible strains, such as prolonged mechanical ventilation (18.0 days vs. 12.0 days; p < 0.001), prolonged ICU length of stay (23.0 days vs.16.0 days; p < 0.001), and higher mortality (73% vs. 53%; p < 0.001) when compared with patients infected with susceptible strains. Hospital length of stay ≥ 5 days (OR = 3.20; 95% CI: 1.39-7.39; p = 0.005) and prolonged use vasoactive drugs (OR = 3.15; 95% CI: 1.42-7.01; p = 0.004) were independent predictors of LRTI caused by MDRPs (LRTI-MDRP). The presence of LRTI-MDRP was found to be an independent predictor of death (OR = 2.311; 95% CI: 1.091-4.894; p = 0.028). CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged use of vasoactive drugs and prolonged hospital length of stay were independent predictors of LRTI-MDRP in this population of critically ill patients with very poor outcomes.

Healthcare-associated infections on the intensive care unit in 21 Brazilian hospitals during the early months of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic: An ecological study.

OBJECTIVE: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused a global health crisis and may have affected healthcare-associated infection (HAI) prevention strategies. We evaluated the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HAI incidence in Brazilian intensive care units (ICUs). METHODS: In this ecological study, we compared adult patients admitted to the ICU from April through June 2020 (pandemic period) with the same period in 2019 (prepandemic period) in 21 Brazilian hospitals. We used the Wilcoxon signed rank-sum test in a pairwise analysis to compare the following differences between the pandemic and the prepandemic periods: microbiologically confirmed central-line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) incidence density (cases per 1,000 central line and ventilator days, respectively), the proportion of organisms that caused HAI, and antibiotic consumption (DDD). RESULTS: We detected a significant increase in median CLABSI incidence during the pandemic: 1.60 (IQR, 0.44-4.20) vs 2.81 (IQR, 1.35-6.89) (P = .002). We did not detect a significant difference in VAP incidence between the 2 periods. In addition, we detected a significant increase in the proportion of CLABSI caused by Enterococcus faecalis and Candida spp during the pandemic, although only the latter retained statistical significance after correction for multiple comparisons. We did not detect a significant change in ceftriaxone, piperacillin-tazobactam, meropenem, or vancomycin consumption between the studied periods. CONCLUSIONS: There was an increase in CLABSI incidence in Brazilian ICUs during the first months of COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, we detected an increase in the proportion of CLABSI caused by E. faecalis and Candida spp during this period. CLABSI prevention strategies must be reinforced in ICUs during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ESKAPE bacteria characterization reveals the presence of Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa outbreaks in COVID-19/VAP patients.

INTRODUCTION: A decrease of detection of outbreaks by multidrug-resistant bacteria in critical areas has been reduced due to COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, molecular epidemiological surveillance should be a primary tool to reveal associations not evident by classical epidemiology. The aim of this work was to demonstrate the presence of hidden outbreaks in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic and to associate their possible origin. METHODS: A population of 96 COVID-19 patients was included in the study (April to June 2020) from Hospital Juárez de México. Genetic identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of VAP causative agents isolated from COVID-19 patients was performed. Resistance phenotypes were confirmed by PCR. Clonal association of isolates was performed by analysis of intergenic regions obtained. Finally, the association of clonal cases of VAP patients was performed by timelines. RESULTS: ESKAPE and non-ESKAPE bacteria were identified as causative agents of VAP. ESKAPE bacteria were classified as MDR and XDR. Only A. baumannii and P. aeruginosa were identified as clonally distributed in 13 COVID-19/VAP patients. Time analysis showed that cross-transmission existed between patients and care areas. CONCLUSIONS: Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were involved in outbreaks non-detected in COVID-19/VAP patients in the first wave of COVID-19 pandemic.

Nursing care and epidemiological profile of patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia / Cuidados de enfermagem e perfil epidemiológico de pacientes com pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica / Cuidados de enfermería y perfil epidemiológico de pacientes con neumonía asociada a ventilador

Background and Objectives: to assess the epidemiological profile of patients diagnosed with ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and to investigate nursing care adequacy. Methods: a quantitative retrospective cohort study, applied in the ICU of a hospital in the countryside of Rio Grande do Sul. It involved 100% of medical records of patients over 20 years of age, in the year 2019, who developed VAP. Results: a total of 3,215 patients were on invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), and of these 13 developed VAP (2.47%). Most were men (76.92%), with a mean age of 60.3 years, whose main causes of hospitalization were heart problems (30.77%), multiple trauma (30.77%) and stroke (15.39%). The main pathogens found in tracheal aspirates were Acinetobacter sp. (15%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15%). The mean ICU stay was 30.61 days, and 61.53% died. For nursing care assessment, the mean checklist of the VAP bundle applied was calculated, according to the number of days in VMI. The result was 2.62 checklists per day, with the institution recommending four. Conclusion: the study made it possible to know the epidemiological profile of patients with VAP, in addition to observing the need for improvement in nursing care, considering that the checklist completion was below the recommended.(AU)

Justificativa e Objetivos: avaliar o perfil epidemiológico de pacientes diagnosticados com pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica (PAVM) em Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI) e investigar a adequação dos cuidados de enfermagem. Métodos: estudo quantitativo de coorte, retrospectivo, aplicado na UTI de um hospital do interior do Rio Grande do Sul. Envolveu 100% dos prontuários de pacientes com mais de 20 anos de idade, no ano de 2019, que desenvolveram PAVM. Resultados: estiveram em ventilação mecânica invasiva (VMI) 3.215 pacientes e, desses, 13 desenvolveram PAVM (2,47%). A maioria era homens (76,92%), com média de idade de 60,3 anos, cujas principais causas de internação foram problemas cardíacos (30,77%), politraumatismo (30,77%) e acidente vascular cerebral (15,39%). Os principais patógenos encontrados nos aspirados traqueais foram Acinetobacter sp (15%) e Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15%). A média de permanência na UTI foi de 30,61 dias, e foram a óbito 61,53%. Para avaliação dos cuidados de enfermagem, foi calculada a média de checklist do bundle de PAVM, aplicados, conforme a quantidade de dias em VMI. O resultado foi de 2,62 checklists por dia, sendo que a instituição preconiza quatro. Conclusão: o estudo permitiu conhecer o perfil epidemiológico dos pacientes com PAVM, além de observar a necessidade de melhora nos cuidados de enfermagem, considerando que a realização do checklist ficou abaixo do recomendado.(AU)

Justificación y Objetivos: evaluar el perfil epidemiológico de pacientes con diagnóstico de neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica (NAVM) en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI) e investigar la adecuación de los cuidados de enfermería. Métodos: estudio de cohorte cuantitativo, retrospectivo, aplicado en el UCI de un hospital del interior de Rio Grande do Sul. Involucró el 100% de las historias clínicas de pacientes mayores de 20 años, en el año 2019, que desarrollaron NAVM. Resultados: un total de 3.215 pacientes estaban en ventilación mecánica invasiva (VMI), y, de estos, 13 desarrollaron NAVM (2,47%). La mayoría eran hombres (76,92%), con una edad media de 60,3 años, cuyas principales causas de hospitalización fueron problemas cardíacos (30,77%), politraumatismos (30,77%) y accidentes cerebrovasculares (15,39%). Los principales patógenos encontrados en los aspirados traqueales fueron Acinetobacter sp (15%) y Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15%). La estancia media en UCI fue de 30,61 días, y falleció el 61,53%. Para la evaluación de la atención de enfermería, se calculó el checklist promedio del bundle VAP aplicado, de acuerdo con el número de días en VMI. El resultado fue de 2,62 checklists por día, y la institución recomendó cuatro. Conclusión: el estudio posibilitó conocer el perfil epidemiológico de los pacientes con NAVM, además de observar la necesidad de mejoría en la atención de enfermería, considerando que el llenado del checklist estuvo por debajo de lo recomendado.(AU)

Success factors of a collaborative project to reduce healthcare-associated infections in intensive care units in Northeastern Brazil. / Fatores de sucesso em colaborativa para redução de infecções relacionadas à assistência à saúde em unidades de terapia intensiva no Nordeste do Brasil.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the implementation and results of the collaborative PROADI-SUS project by the Brazilian Ministry of Health to reduce healthcare-associated infections: ventilator-associated pneumonia, primary central line-associated bloodstream infection and catheter-associated urinary tract infections. METHODS: This was a prospective observational study that investigated the implementation stages and outcomes during 18 months in five intensive care units in the city of Recife. Reductions in healthcare-associated infections in each unit were calculated using previous medians compared to those of the study period. RESULTS: The goal of reducing the three healthcare-associated infections, i.e., 30% in 18 months, was achieved in at least one of the healthcare-associated infections and was also achieved for two healthcare-associated infections in two hospitals and three healthcare-associated infections in just one hospital; the latter reached the target of 36 months. Implementing the bundles and monitoring the results by the professionals were considered essential actions by the local management teams. In addition, the acquisition of supplies and their availability alongside the beds, signage, checklists, staff awareness, adaptation, team building, training and celebration of achievements were assessed as being relevant for reducing healthcare-associated infections. CONCLUSION: The collaborative approach reduced healthcare-associated infections, despite partial adherence to the bundles. The hypothesis is that success is related to the project methodology and motivated multidisciplinary teams, especially nursing teams.

OBJETIVO: Descrever a implementação e os resultados da colaborativa PROADI-SUS, do Ministério da Saúde Brasileiro, para redução das infecções relacionadas à assistência à saúde: pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica, infecção primária da corrente sanguínea associada ao cateter venoso central e infecção do trato urinário associada ao cateter vesical de demora. MÉTODOS: Estudo observacional prospectivo que pesquisou as etapas da implementação e dos resultados por 18 meses, em cinco unidades de terapia intensiva de Recife. As reduções de infecções relacionadas à assistência à saúde em cada unidade foram calculadas pelas medianas anteriores comparadas ao período do estudo. RESULTADOS: A meta de redução das três infecções relacionadas à assistência à saúde, ou seja, 30% em 18 meses, foi obtida em no mínimo uma das infecções relacionadas à assistência à saúde nas cinco unidades de terapia intensiva, sendo ainda atingida para duas infecções relacionadas à assistência à saúde em dois hospitais e nas três infecções relacionadas à assistência à saúde em apenas um hospital; este último atingiu a meta prevista para 36 meses. Foram ações consideradas essenciais pelas equipes gestoras locais a implantação dos bundles e o acompanhamento dos resultados pelos profissionais. Também, aquisição de insumos e disponibilização junto aos leitos, sinalização, checklists, conscientização da equipe, adaptação, criação de times, treinamento e comemoração de conquistas foram avaliados como relevantes para redução das infecções relacionadas à assistência à saúde. CONCLUSÃO: A colaborativa reduziu infecções relacionadas à assistência à saúde, apesar da adesão parcial aos bundles. A hipótese é a de que o êxito se relacione com a metodologia do projeto e equipes multiprofissionais motivadas, especialmente a enfermagem.

Neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica en pacientes con neumonía grave por SARS-CoV-2 / Ventilation associated pneumonia in patients with severe SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia

Introducción: Los pacientes con COVID-19 pueden evolucionar hacia una falla respiratoria aguda grave y requerir ventilación mecánica invasiva (VMI). La complicación más frecuente en estos pacientes es la neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica (NAVM), con incidencias reportadas más altas que en la época pre-COVID. El objetivo de este estudio es reportar la incidencia, tasa de incidencia y microbiología de la NAVM en pacientes en VMI con COVID-19. Métodos: Se incluyeron a todos los pacientes con neumonía grave y PCR (+) para SARS-CoV-2 que ingresaron y requirieron VMI entre marzo y julio del 2021 en el Instituto Nacional del Tórax (INT). Se recolectaron datos demográficos, clínicos y de laboratorio de la ficha electrónica. Se registraron y caracterizaron los casos de neumonía asociado a la ventilación mecánica. Resultados: Se incluyeron 112 pacientes de los cuales el 42,8% presentó NAVM, con una tasa de incidencia de 28,8/1.000 días de VMI. Los microorganismos aislados más frecuentes fueron Klebsiella pneumoniae (29,6%), Staphylococcus aureus (21,8%) y Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12,5%). Los pacientes que cursaron NAVM estuvieron casi el doble de tiempo en VMI, pero sin presentar aumento de la mortalidad. Conclusión: La NAVM es una complicación frecuente en los pacientes con neumonía grave asociada a COVID-19. La microbiología de estas entidades no ha cambiado respecto a la era pre-pandémica. Estos resultados cobran relevancia en el inicio y suspensión de antibióticos en este grupo de pacientes.

Introduction: Patients with COVID-19 can progress to severe acute respiratory failure and require invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV). The most frequent complication in these patients is ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), with higher reported incidences than in the pre-COVID era. The objective of this study is to report the prevalence, incidence rate and microbiology of VAP in patients on IMV with COVID-19. Methods: Patients with severe pneumonia and PCR (+) for SARS-CoV-2 who were admitted to IMV between march and july 2021 at the Instituto Nacional del Tórax (Chile) were included. Demographic, clinical and laboratory data from electronic records were collected. Cases of pneumonia associated with mechanical ventilation were recorded and characterized. Results: 112 patients were included, 42.8% of them presented VAP with an incidence rate of 28.8/1,000 IMV days. The most frequent isolated microorganisms were Klebsiella pneumoniae (29.6%), Staphylococcus aureus (21.8%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (12.5%). Patients who underwent VAP spent almost twice as long on IMV, although they had not increase in mortality. Conclusion: VAP is a common complication in patients with severe pneumonia associated with COVID-19. The microbiology of these entities has not changed from the pre-pandemic era. These results become relevant in the initiation and suspension of antibiotics in this group of patients.

Performance of a multidisciplinary team and the impact of bundles for reducing health care associated infections in adult intensive care unit: 22 years of experience.

A retrospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate the bundle of techniques developed by the multidisciplinary team to minimize infections in an adult intensive care unit over a 22-year span. Two periods were analyzed: 1996-2006 and 2007-2017. Bloodstream infections, urinary tract infections, and ventilator-associated pneumonia declined 58.6%, 56.7%, and 82.6%, respectively (P < .05) from 2007 to 2017 compared with these same infections during 1996-2006.

Impact of a dental care intervention on the hospital mortality of critically ill patients admitted to intensive care units: A quasi-experimental study.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to evaluate the impact of providing dental care to critically ill patients on their risk of death and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). METHODS: A quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2 intensive care units (ICU) from 2016 to 2019. The intervention consisted of implementing routine dental care, focusing on oral hygiene and periodontal treatment, at least 3 times a week, for patients admitted to the study units. In the pre-intervention period, routine oral hygiene was provided by the ICU nursing staff. The primary and secondary study outcomes were mortality, evaluated at the end of the ICU stay, and VAP incidence density, respectively. Data were analyzed using the ARIMA (autoregressive integrated moving average) time series model in R software. RESULTS: During the intervention period, 5,147 dental procedures were performed among 355 patients. The time series showed that ICU mortality was 36.11%, 32.71%, and 32.30% within the 3 years before the intervention, and 28.71% during the intervention period (P = .015). VAP incidence density did not significantly change during the study period (P = .716). CONCLUSION: A dental care intervention focused on oral hygiene and periodontal treatment regularly provided by dentists to critically ill patients may decrease their risk of dying in the ICU. Randomized clinical trials should be performed to confirm these findings. TRIAL REGISTRATION: WHO-affiliated Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry. RBR-4jmz36. Registered 7 October 2018, before first patient enrollment.

Massive sequencing of the V3-V4 hypervariable region of bronchoalveolar lavage from patients with COVID-19 and VAP reveals the collapse of the pulmonary microbiota.

Background. The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic is a predisposing factor for the development of healthcare-associated infections, of which ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is one.Hypothesis. VAP is caused by ESKAPE bacteria and other pathogens not detected by microbiological culture.Aim. To elucidate the bacterial pathogens of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and VAP patients by massive sequencing and to predict their degree of relationship with the age and sex of the patients.Methods. Analysis of ribosomal libraries of the V3-V4 hypervariable region obtained by Illumina sequencing of bronchoalveolar lavages from COVID-19 and VAP (first wave) patients from Hospital Juárez de México.Results. Acinetobacter and Pseudomonas were the main bacterial genera in the bronchoalveolar lavages (BALs) analysed. Other members of the ESKAPE group, such as Enterococcus and Klebsiella, were also identified. Taxonomic composition per patient showed that non-ESKAPE genera were present with significant relative abundances, such as Prevotella, Stenotrophomas, Enterococcus, Mycoplasma, Serratia and Corynebacterium. Kruskal-Wallis analysis proved that VAP acquisition is an adverse event that is not influenced by the sex and age of COVID-19 patients.Discussion. Metagenomic findings in COVID-19/VAP patients highlight the importance of implementing comprehensive microbiological diagnostics by including alternative tools for the detection of the causal agents of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).Conclusions. Timely identification of bacteria 'not sought' in diagnostic bacteriology laboratories will allow specific and targeted treatments. Implications for the restricted diagnosis of VAP causative agents in COVID-19 patients and the presence of pathogens not detected by classical microbiology are analysed and discussed.

Ventilator-associated pneumonia: incidence, microbial etiology and antimicrobial resistance profile / Pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica: incidência, etiologia microbiana e perfil de resistência antimicrobiana / Neumonía asociada a ventilador: incidencia, etiología microbiana y perfil de resistencia antimicrobiana

Background and Objectives: Infections caused by multi-drug resistant microorganisms have a great clinical and economic impact. The present study proposed to determine and assess ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) incidence in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU), to establish the profile of hospitalized patients and to determine the frequency of microorganisms isolated as well as their antimicrobial resistance profile. Methods: A descriptive, documental study, with a quantitative approach, carried out at a teaching hospital. Participants were all individuals admitted to the General ICU who developed VAP in 2018 and 2019. Results: During the study, 146 patients were diagnosed with VAP, with an incidence of 23.66/1000 patient-days on mechanical ventilation. The median age of patients was 52.5 years and most of them were man. One hundred and eight microorganisms were isolated in cultures, the majority being gram-negative bacteria. Non-fermenting bacteria were the most frequent (n=46; 42.6%), followed by enterobacteria (n=42; 38.9%). Staphylococcus aureus was the most frequent microorganism among gram-positive (n=17; 15.7%). The most frequent multi-drug resistant bacteria were Acinetobacter baumannii and Enterobacter spp. No microorganism showed colistin and vancomycin resistance. Patients infected with multi-drug resistant bacteria were hospitalized longer when compared to other patients. Conclusions: VAP incidence was high. The knowledge of the etiologic agents of VAP and their antimicrobial resistance profile is fundamental to support the elaboration of institutional treatment protocols as well as assist in empirical antibiotic therapy.(AU)

Justificativa e Objetivos: As infecções causadas por microrganismos multirresistentes têm grande impacto clínico e econômico. O presente estudo propôs determinar e avaliar a incidência de pneumonia associada à ventilação mecânica (PAV) em uma Unidade de Terapia Intensiva (UTI), estabelecer o perfil dos pacientes internados e determinar a frequência de microrganismos isolados, bem como seu perfil de resistência antimicrobiana. Métodos: Estudo descritivo, documental, com abordagem quantitativa, realizado em um hospital universitário. Participaram todos os indivíduos admitidos na UTI Geral que desenvolveram PAV em 2018 e 2019. Resultados: Durante o estudo, 146 pacientes foram diagnosticados com PAV, com incidência de 23,66/1000 pacientes-dia em ventilação mecânica. A idade mediana dos pacientes foi de 52,5 anos e a maioria era do sexo masculino. Cento e oito microrganismos foram isolados em culturas, sendo a maioria bactérias gram-negativas. As bactérias não fermentadoras foram as mais frequentes (n=46; 42,6%), seguidas das enterobactérias (n=42; 38,9%). Staphylococcus aureus foi o microrganismo mais frequente entre os Gram-positivos (n=17; 15,7%). As bactérias multirresistentes mais frequentes foram Acinetobacter baumannii e Enterobacter spp. Nenhum microrganismo apresentou resistência à colistina e vancomicina. Pacientes infectados com bactérias multirresistentes ficaram mais tempo internados quando comparados a outros pacientes. Conclusões: A incidência de PAV foi alta. O conhecimento dos agentes etiológicos da PAV e seu perfil de resistência antimicrobiana é fundamental para subsidiar a elaboração de protocolos institucionais de tratamento, bem como auxiliar na antibioticoterapia empírica.(AU)

Justificación y Objetivos: Las infecciones causadas por microorganismos multirresistentes tienen un gran impacto clínico y económico. El presente estudio se propuso determinar y evaluar la incidencia de neumonía asociada a ventilación mecánica (NAV) en una Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos (UCI), establecer el perfil de pacientes hospitalizados y determinar la frecuencia de microorganismos aislados así como su perfil de resistencia antimicrobiana. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo, documental, con abordaje cuantitativo, realizado en un hospital escuela. Participaron todas las personas ingresadas en UCI General que desarrollaron NAV en 2018 y 2019. Resultados: Durante el estudio, 146 pacientes fueron diagnosticados con NAV, con una incidencia de 23,66/1000 pacientes-día en ventilación mecánica. La mediana de edad de los pacientes fue de 52,5 años y la mayoría eran hombres. Se aislaron 108 microorganismos en cultivos, siendo la mayoría bacterias gramnegativas. Las bacterias no fermentadoras fueron las más frecuentes (n=46; 42,6%), seguidas de las enterobacterias (n=42; 38,9%). Staphylococcus aureus fue el microorganismo más frecuente entre los grampositivos (n=17; 15,7%). Las bacterias multirresistentes más frecuentes fueron Acinetobacter baumannii y Enterobacter spp. Ningún microorganismo mostró resistencia a colistina y vancomicina. Los pacientes infectados con bacterias multirresistentes fueron hospitalizados por más tiempo en comparación con otros pacientes. Conclusiones: La incidencia de NAV fue alta. El conocimiento de los agentes etiológicos de la VAP y su perfil de resistencia a los antimicrobianos es fundamental para apoyar la elaboración de protocolos de tratamiento institucionales, así como para ayudar en la terapia antibiótica empírica.(AU)

Impact of an Educational Intervention Aimed at Nursing Staff on Oral Hygiene Care on the Incidence of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia in Adults Ventilated in Intensive Care Unit.

OBJECTIVES: This work sought to evaluate the impact of an educational intervention on oral hygiene care aimed at nursing care staff, on the incidence of Ventilator-Associated Pneumonia (VAP) in adults from an ICU in Colombia. METHODS: Quasi-experimental study pre- and post-educational intervention aimed at nursing staff in which theoretical-practical sessions were conducted during 12 weeks to explain different oral hygiene techniques according to the oral conditions of patients. The study gathered sociodemographic, clinical, and characteristic variables of the oral and dental care received. The VAP was diagnosed according with international criteria. RESULTS: The educational intervention received participation from 60 individuals (40 nurses and 20 nursing aides), 80% were women. The work collected data from 171 patients, 70 (40.9%) cared for after the educational intervention. Daily oral and dental care by the staff increased from 29.6% to 92.8% after the intervention. Although the accumulated incidence of VAP diminished from 8.9% to 2.8% and the rate of incidence dropped from 9 to 3.5 cases per 1,000 days of intubation, these changes were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The educational intervention aimed at the nursing staff in oral care reduced the incidence of VAP in adults connected to ventilator in ICU; although this decrease was not statistically significant, it was a clinically relevant result for the institution, which is why it is necessary to continue the educational strategies on oral health studied in this staff.