bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Carbapenemase Production and Mortality Risk Among Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae Cases in Tennessee, United States
Authors: Octaria Rany , Chan Allison , Kainer Marion 
Published: November 2020

Background: Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are an urgent public health threat associated with poor patient outcomes. CRE that produce carbapenemase (CP-CRE) are of particular concern because the mechanism-conferring genes in plasmids can be transferred to other bacteria. CRE are reportable in Tennessee (TN); isolate submission is required for CP production and resistance mechanism testing. We aimed to compare patient characteristics and outcomes between CP-CRE and non–CP-CRE patients to guide potential public health interventions. Methods: A retrospective cohort study to compare 30-day mortality, and clinical characteristics of CP-CRE to non–CP-CRE patients was conducted. Laboratory data were gathered from CRE isolates of Tennessee residents from July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2018. The most recent Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists CRE and CP-CRE case definition was used to confirm and classify cases. Healthcare exposures within 1 year prior to onset, demographic characteristics, and clinical characteristics were obtained by linking surveillance data with the inpatient and outpatient Tennessee hospital discharge data. Cases were also matched with Tennessee vital statistics data to determine all-cause 30-day mortality from the event date. We evaluated risk ratios of 30-day mortality with a multivariable regression model. Results: Among 1,034 CRE cases that had at least 1 isolate submitted to public health, 445 (43.0%) were CP-CRE and 589 (57.0%) were non–CP-CRE. Among CP-CRE isolates, the blaKPC gene was found in 434 (98.9%). CP-CRE cases were more likely to have isolates from normally sterile sites, to have an organism with elevated resistance to meropenem (minimum inhibitory concentration, >16 µg/mL), to have prior admission to a long-term acute-care hospital, and to live in a nursing home (all P < .001). Also, 77 CP-CRE cases (17.3%) and 56 non–CP-CRE cases (9.6%) died within 30 days of infection onset. The risk of 30-day mortality was 57% higher for CP-CRE (adjusted risk ratio, 1.57; 95% CI:, 1.10–2.23) compared to non–CP-CRE patients after adjusting for comorbidities, nursing home residence, and prior healthcare exposures. Conclusions: CP-CRE cases had poorer outcomes than non–CP-CRE cases. This may be related in part to a higher proportion of sterile site infections among CP-CRE cases; our study was underpowered to analyze this subpopulation of sterile site cases. We plan to continue monitoring and performing analyses as mortality and hospital discharge data from more recent years become available and as more cases accumulate.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None
Care Bundles for Preventing Device Related Infections: Just Focus on These 6 Things
Authors: Zirges Christine , Rusbarsky Stephen 
Published: November 2020

Background: Centralizing healthcare associated infection (HAI) data for 21 hospitals across several states facilitates a big picture assessment of monthly enterprise performance along with evaluation of practice, policy, and products. Variation in prevention practices has made it difficult to identify areas of focus and created confusion when attempting to standardize prevention tactics for central-line and urinary catheter care. Lack of consistent practice audits have made it difficult to evaluate actual practice. For these reasons, we performed a gap analysis to understand the current state. Methods: Gap assessment tools were developed to assess infection prevention practices for central lines and indwelling urinary catheters. Survey questions were developed with a comment option to collect qualitative data. The 2014 Compendium of Strategies to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infection in Acute-care Hospitals was utilized as the reference point. This document facilitates the translation of essential information into clinical practice, thus providing the rationale and level of evidence needed for discussion groups. Completion occurred with various key stakeholders within each hospital. One survey per hospital was compiled. Results: All hospitals completed the survey with key themes emerging and supported by observational data. Findings included variation with education, chlorhexidine bathing, types of dressings, and compliance with alcohol port protectors. Gaps identified with urinary catheter care included confusion surrounding catheter care, breaches in seals, and optimizing alternatives to catheterization. Rather than segment solutions for identified gaps, care bundles were developed to provide focus, to facilitate evidence-based practice, and to create standard work-around clinical audits that consisted of going to the patient rather than the electronic health record. Care bundles provided the 6 items to focus on and for which to create policy and standardize products. Conclusions: Care-bundle implementation initially created resistance from clinicians and many questions regarding actual practice. The design of the tool was deliberate in that audit language, the metric, and the “why” were included and served as a medium to discuss the evidence and immediate feedback for practice. Pareto charts were posted on unit performance boards. It became evident that compliance with prevention tactics was not consistent. Although number of infections or outcome data did not appreciably decrease, standardized utilization ratio was reduced by 11% for each device after 3 quarters. Process measures from bundle audits continue to improve, as do observational data, and these are part of focused discussions at quality forums. A culture change has occurred as process measures and evidence-based practice has become a priority.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None
Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection Reduction in the Solutions for Patient Safety Pediatric Safety Engagement Network
Authors: Foster Charles , Ackerman Kathy , Hupertz Vera , Mustin Laurie , Sanders Joann , Patricia Sisson , Wenthe Rachel 
Published: November 2020

Background: Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) are a leading cause of healthcare-associated infection. Catheter insertion and maintenance bundles have been developed to prevent CAUTIs, but they have not been extensively validated for use in pediatric populations. We report the CAUTI prevention efforts of a large network of children’s hospitals. Methods: Children’s hospitals joined the Solution for Patient Safety (SPS) safety engagement network from 2011 through 2017 and elected to participate in CAUTI prevention efforts, with 26 hospitals submitting data initially and 128 participating by the end. CAUTI prevention recommendations were first released in May 2012, and insertion and maintenance bundles were released in May 2014 (Table 1). Hospitals reported on CAUTIs, patient days, urinary catheter line days (CLD), and they tracked reliability to each bundle. For the network, control charts were used to plot CAUTI rates, urinary catheter utilization, and reliability to each bundle component. Results: Following the introduction of the pediatric CAUTI insertion and maintenance bundles, CAUTI rates across the network decreased 61.6%, from 2.55 to 0.98 infections per 1,000 CLD (Fig. 1). Centerline shifts occurred both before and after the 2015 CDC CAUTI definition change, which may also have contributed to a centerline shift. Urinary catheter utilization rates did not decline during the intervention period. Network reliability to the insertion and maintenance bundles increased to 95.4% and 86.9%, respectively. Conclusions: Insertion and maintenance bundles aimed at preventing CAUTIs were introduced across a large network of children’s hospitals. Across the network, the rate of urinary tract infections among hospitalized children with indwelling urinary catheters decreased 61.6%.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None
CDC Consultations for Outbreaks and Infection Control Breaches Occurring in Dental Settings, 2010–2019
Authors: Perkins Kiran , Brown Ieisha , Espinoza Lorena , Perz Joseph , Neuburger Michele 
Published: November 2020

Background: Documented transmission of infectious agents involving dental care is uncommon. However, increasing attention to dental infection control, along with several recent outbreaks, have identified infection control gaps in dental settings. We describe CDC consultations involving outbreaks or infection control lapses occurring in dental settings to identify areas for prevention efforts. Methods: We reviewed internal CDC records from January 1, 2010, through October 1, 2019, to identify consultations involving investigations of potential or confirmed disease transmission and infection control lapses in dental settings. We determined yearly number of consultations, number of patients infected, how disease transmission or infection control breaches were identified, suspected mode of transmission, type of infection control breaches identified, and whether at-risk patients were notified. Results: We identified 41 consultations, among 27 states, involving investigation of possible disease transmission or infection control lapses in dental facilities. The number of consultations increased from 11 to 30 between the first half (2010–2014) and the second half (2015–2019) of the period and involved at least 113 infections confirmed or suspected to be associated with dental procedures. Most investigations (n = 29, 71%) began with identification of infection control breaches absent known patient infections; 8 (20%) investigations were initiated after identification of a single patient infection raised concerns for possible transmission associated with dental care (eg, single case of acute hepatitis B infection absent other risk factors). Moreover, 4 investigations involved >1 patient infection; 3 were outbreaks confirmed to be due to poor infection control practices. The most common infection control breaches were lapses in dental instrument reprocessing (n = 28, 78%), for example, failure to sterilize dental handpieces or failure to use biologic indicators. Of the 23 consultations where patient notification activities were discussed, 17 (74%) resulted in notification; >20,000 patients received information about their potential exposure, usually accompanied by advice on seeking screening tests. Conclusions: Dental-related consultations have increased in recent years, and they highlight the need for improved infection control training of dental healthcare personnel, especially related to dental instrument reprocessing. The CDC Division of Oral Health and the Organization for Safety, Asepsis, and Prevention offers tools, training, and other resources to help dental facilities improve infection control practices. Not all investigations resulted in notifying at-risk patients, but notification should be strongly considered, especially when serious breaches are identified, to promote transparency and help identify disease transmission that could otherwise go undetected.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None
Changes in the Characteristics of Hospitals Participating in the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN), 2008–2018
Authors: Amor Agasha , Dudeck Margaret A. 
Published: November 2020

Background: The NHSN is the nation’s most widely used healthcare-associated infection surveillance system. Nearly all acute-care hospitals reporting to the NHSN do so in fulfillment of state mandates and/or as required for participation in the CMS Quality Reporting program, since 2011. All NHSN-participating acute-care hospitals (ACHs) reporting in the Patient Safety Component are required to complete an annual survey and to self-report on the hospital’s general characteristics, including hospital size and type, and patient volume. Due to the compulsory nature of the survey, the NHSN receives nearly a 100% completion rate each year. Furthermore, hospital-level characteristics are often used by the CDC to develop risk-adjusted summary measures and national benchmarks. This study is the first to evaluate ACH characteristics over an 11-year period. Methods: All ACHs that completed an annual survey during 2008–2018 were included. The data were divided into subsets to evaluate consistent reporters, defined as facilities that were enrolled in 2008 and completed surveys through 2018. Medical teaching status is defined as a facility that trains either medical students, nursing students, residents and fellows. Medical teaching status is grouped into 3 categories: (1) undergraduate facility that trains medical school students, (2) graduate facility that trains residents or fellows, and (3) major facility that trains both medical and residents or fellows. We used univariate analyses to assess characteristics of acute-care hospitals (ACHs). Results: Overall, the number of ACHs enrolled in the NHSN increased by 119%, from 1,772 in 2008 to 3,883 in 2018. More general acute-care hospitals (89%) were enrolled than all other facility types, with women’s and children’s hospitals were the least frequently enrolled (0.34%). Hospitals with any level of medical teaching status, increased from 38.5% in 2008 to 60% in 2018 (Fig. 1). We observed a modest reduction in the median hospital bed size of 20 beds. When reviewing hospital bed size by category, ACHs with 51–200 beds made up the largest proportion of hospitals and the number of hospitals within this bed size category has remained above 1,500 since 2010. Conclusions: Among all ACHs, the proportion of hospitals affiliated with a medical school increased over the 10-year period. Although hospitals with a major teaching status had been steadily increasing, there were more hospitals using this designation after 2013. Despite the increase in the number of hospitals reporting to NHSN, since 2011, the proportion of hospitals within each bed size category has seen minimal change.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None
Characteristics of Long-Term Care Hospital Ventilator-Associated Events, National Healthcare Safety Network, 2016–2018
Authors: Grigg Cheri , Nkwata Allan , Gross Cindy , Millson Tara , Powell Krista , Magill Shelley 
Published: November 2020

Background: Ventilator-associated event (VAE) reporting to the CDC NHSN began in 2013. VAE reporting from long-term care hospitals (LTCHs) to the NHSN was required from January 2016 through September 2018 as part of the CMS LTCH Quality Reporting Program (QRP). We describe the incidence and characteristics of LTCH VAEs during the required reporting period. Methods: We analyzed VAE data reported to the NHSN from January 2016 through December 2018, from the LTCH ward and critical care locations participating in surveillance according to the NHSN protocol. We have described characteristics of VAE, and we determined the distribution of VAE types: ventilator-associated conditions (VAC), infection-related ventilator-associated complications (IVAC), and possible ventilator-associated pneumonia (PVAP). Furthermore, we calculated pooled mean VAE rates per 1,000 ventilator days, and we determined the rate distributions for locations with ≥20 units reporting >50 ventilator days per year. Results: Overall, 493 LTCHs reported 22,359 location months of VAE data from ward and critical care locations. In total, 5,290 VAEs were reported, of which 3,871 (73%) were VAC, 961 (18%) were IVAC, and 458 (9%) were PVAP. Also, 42% (2,241) of VAEs occurred in female patients, and 1,305 (25%) occurred in patients who died during their hospitalization. The median time from LTCH admission to VAE onset was 18 days (IQR, 9–37), and from initiation of mechanical ventilation to VAE onset was 22 days (IQR, 10–43). Pathogens were identified from 454 PVAPs, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (43% of PVAPs) and Staphylococcus aureus (26%) being the most common organisms. Annual pooled mean incidence rates in critical care locations ranged from 2.11 to 2.62 VAEs per 1,000 ventilator days, whereas rates in ward locations ranged from 1.36 to 1.67 VAEs per 1,000 ventilator days (Table 1). Conclusions: During a period of required reporting, pooled mean LTCH VAE rates remained low. Most VAEs in LTCHs were reported as VACs. Additional work is needed to understand the clinical events associated with LTCH VAE, including whether most VAEs truly represent non–infection-related events or reflect limited evaluation to identify infection-related complications. This distinction might influence the identification of appropriate interventions to reduce LTCH VAE rates.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None
Characteristics of Pediatric Ventilator-Associated Events Reported to the National Healthcare Safety Network, 2019
Authors: Grigg Cheri , Nkwata Allan , Gross Cindy , Magill Shelley 
Published: November 2020

Background: Mechanical ventilation is a life-saving measure for patients with respiratory failure; however, these patients are at high risk for complications and poor outcomes. Surveillance for ventilator-associated events (VAEs) via the CDC NHSN began in 2013 in adult patient care locations in hospitals. Pediatric ventilator-associated event (PedVAE) surveillance began in January 2019. The PedVAE definition is based on increases in mean airway pressure (MAP) or fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2). We summarized the first 9 months of PedVAE data reported to the NHSN. Methods: Neonatal and pediatric locations of US acute-care hospitals, long-term acute-care hospitals, and inpatient rehabilitation facilities were eligible to participate in PedVAE surveillance as of January 1, 2019. When submitting PedVAEs to the NHSN, facilities may also optionally report information about antimicrobials, pathogens, and clinical events associated with PedVAEs. We analyzed PedVAE data from January through September 2019 submitted by facilities participating in surveillance according to the NHSN protocol. We calculated pooled mean incidence rates (no. events per 1,000 ventilator days) for neonatal and pediatric intensive care units (NICUs and PICUs), and we describe characteristics of PedVAEs. Results: Overall, 205 PedVAEs were reported: 111 events from 147 NICUs in 140 facilities and 94 events from 117 PICUs in 85 facilities. The pooled mean incidence was 1.61 events per 1,000 ventilator days in level 2 and 3 NICUs, 1.09 events per 1,000 ventilator days in level III NICUs, and 1.25 events per 1,000 ventilator days in PICUs. Of 205 PedVAEs, 133 (65%) met only the MAP criterion, 65 (32%) met only the FiO2 criterion, and 7 (3%) met both. Optional data on antimicrobials, pathogens, and clinical events were reported for 74 of 205 PedVAEs (36%). Among these 74 events, antimicrobial administration was common (50 of 74, 68%). By contrast, a minority had a pathogen reported (21 of 74, 28%). Of 74 PedVAEs, 60 were associated with a clinical event (80%), although only 15 (20%) were reported to be associated with a clinical infection. Of 74 PedVAEs, 4 (5%) were associated with mechanical ventilation weaning. Conclusions: PedVAE incidence rates are low in NICUs and PICUs. Most PedVAEs appear to be associated with clinical events. Although a minority of PedVAEs were associated with infections or pathogens, antimicrobial administration was reported for >60%. Further evaluation of the clinical correlates of PedVAEs can inform development of effective prevention and antimicrobial stewardship in mechanically ventilated children.Funding: NoneDisclosures: Cheri Grigg, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Chlorhexidine Gluconate Application as A Strategy to Reduce Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Surgical Site Infection
Authors: Ponnaluri-Wears Sreelatha , Nomides Nicole , Brown Ricci , Stoneman Emily 
Published: November 2020

Background: The electrophysiology laboratory within the cardiac procedures unit (CPU) at Michigan Medicine specializes in implanting, exchanging, and extracting cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED). During routine surveillance of surgical site infections (SSI), an increase in CIED infections (specifically endocarditis) was noted starting in 2016. The predominant organisms involved with infection were skin organisms such as Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. Methods: Cases of SSI following CIED implantation were identified using positive microbiology results collected within 90 days of a procedure. Cases were classified using the NHSN SSI definitions. Upon identifying an increase in infections, a work group of key stakeholders was formed to determine root causes. Factors discussed included standardized surgical skin preparation techniques, patient education regarding bathing before and after procedures, types of surgical drapes in use, traffic in and out of procedure rooms during cases, environmental cleanliness of the procedure area, and adherence to the institutional surgical attire policy. In addition to the workgroup, several cases were observed by the IP team. Results: The investigation revealed several areas for improvement. As a first step, a practice of using 2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG)–impregnated bathing clothes on patients prior to surgery was implemented for the chest, neck, axilla, and arm. No other changes were implemented during this time period. In the year following implementation, there were zero cases of endocarditis and only 2 superficial SSIs (Figs. 1 and 2). Conclusions: Employing application of CHG to reduce the microbial burden on the skin significantly aided in preventing infections related to CIEDs.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None
Clostridioides difficile Testing Stewardship for Laxative Use Is Effective and Safe When Combined With Expert Clinical Input
Authors: Torriani Francesca , El-Kareh Frank Myers Robert , Kang Minji , Taplitz Randy , Abeles Shira 
Published: November 2020

Background: In January 2019, our large academic medical center implemented hard stops for ordering Clostridiodes difficile nucleic acid amplification testing (NAAT), and required a discussion with an infectious diseases physician if the order was placed in a clinical scenario not consistent with the 2017 IDSA/SHEA C. difficile infection (CDI) testing guidelines. Recently, some groups have expressed concerns that requiring the discontinuation of laxatives may delay the diagnosis of CDI and result in serious adverse outcomes. Methods:C. difficile testing stewardship interventions were performed at 2 hospitals within the same university health system to reduce inappropriate testing. In January 2019, a best practice advisory (BPA) was implemented to alert providers ordering C. difficile NAAT if patients had received laxatives within 24 hours, requiring a discussion with the ID physician to override the hard stop. We reviewed clinical outcomes of patients who had a BPA alert due to laxative use within the past 24 hours April 23 to October 23, 2019. Results: During the study period, there were 235 patients with a BPA because of laxative use within the past 24 hours. Moreover, 55 (23.4%) continued to experience diarrhea after the discontinuation of laxatives and were retested for CDI within 7 days. Only 8 tests returned positive, suggesting that, at most, 3.4% of cases had delayed diagnoses because of the hard stop. This finding is supported by the increase in the percentage of tests positive from 11.6% observed overall to 14.6% (8 of 55) after this intervention. There were no severe CDI cases (ICU admission, colectomy, or death) among patients who had delayed testing due to laxative use. Conclusions: In the setting of laxative use, C. difficile testing stewardship interventions with C. difficile NAAT using a hard-stop BPA are effective in reducing unnecessary testing and safe if they are used in combination with a real-time expert input of the risk of clinical disease.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None