Infection Prevention in Practice最新文献

{"title":"Patient-reported education regarding hand hygiene and use of non-sterile clinical gloves in an emergency department observation unit","authors":"Hanna-Leena Melender ,&nbsp;Elina Koota ,&nbsp;Katariina Kainulainen ,&nbsp;Karoliina Aho ,&nbsp;Marja Mäkinen ,&nbsp;Johanna Kaartinen","doi":"10.1016/j.infpip.2025.100501","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.infpip.2025.100501","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Patient education regarding hand hygiene (HH) and the correct use of non-sterile clinical gloves (NSCGs) are important parts of infection prevention and control. Unnecessary use of NSCGs can be harmful, has associated financial costs, and harms the environment. This study aimed to explore healthcare workers' (HCWs) adherence to patient education regarding HH and the correct use of NSCGs in an observation unit.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Data in this observational descriptive cross-sectional study were collected from patients using a questionnaire. The questionnaire asked about the patient education received and the use of NSCGs by HCWs. The correctness of NSCG use was determined by the investigators based on standard precautions on infection prevention and control. Statistical analysis and qualitative content analysis were performed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The convenience sample consisted of 174 patients in an observation unit at Helsinki University Hospital, and 600 care, examination or test procedures conducted for patients. The response rate was 87%. Of the participating patients, 8.6% reported that they had received patient education on HH. Eighteen different procedures were conducted for the study patients. The use of NSCGs was always correct for six procedures. Unnecessary use of NSCGs was found (to varying degrees) for nine procedures, and insufficient use of NSCGs was found for three procedures. An association was found between a procedure/procedure type conducted for a patient and the correct use of NSCGs (<em>P</em>&lt;0.001).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Deviations from the standard precautions existed. Interventions for HCWs are needed to support routine patient education on HH and evidence-based use of NSCGs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33492,"journal":{"name":"Infection Prevention in Practice","volume":"8 1","pages":"Article 100501"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146037177","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"One-year epidemiological analysis of nosocomial infections and antimicrobial resistance in a Hungarian intensive care unit","authors":"Agnes Csörnyei-Kelemen ,&nbsp;Laszlo Marcell Repasi ,&nbsp;Janos Leszkoven ,&nbsp;Viktor Misak ,&nbsp;Zoltan Balogh","doi":"10.1016/j.infpip.2025.100505","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.infpip.2025.100505","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) acquired in intensive care units (ICUs) represent a major burden of morbidity and mortality worldwide. However, national data in Hungary are limited, and few studies compare local findings with national and international surveillance systems.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted a retrospective longitudinal study involving 1002 patients admitted to ICUs between 1^st May 2023 and 30^th April 2024. We analysed the prevalence, types and distribution of pathogens responsible for HAIs. Data were compared with national reports from the Hungarian National Nosocomial Surveillance System and international reports from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The overall prevalence of HAIs was 16.9% (169/1002 patients). The most frequent infection types were lower respiratory tract infections (9.2%), ventilator-associated pneumonia (4.3%), urinary tract infections (UTIs, 3.8%) and <em>Clostridioides difficile</em> infections (2.5%). All UTIs identified during the study period were catheter-associated urinary tract infection, attributable to the high device utilisation rate in the ICU, where all patients had an indwelling urinary catheter during their stay. The leading pathogens were <em>Pseudomonas aeruginosa</em> (23.7%), <em>Clostridioides difficile</em> (13.0%), <em>Klebsiella pneumoniae</em> (13.0%), <em>Enterococcus faecalis</em> (11.6%) and <em>Escherichia coli</em> (5.8%). Overall, 30.9% (64/207) of isolates were multi-drug resistant (MDR).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Our study highlighted the considerable prevalence of HAIs and the dominance of MDR Gram-negative bacteria. Comparison with international data helps identify areas requiring targeted infection control measures.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33492,"journal":{"name":"Infection Prevention in Practice","volume":"8 1","pages":"Article 100505"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146037181","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A quality improvement initiative to reduce central line-associated bloodstream infection rates in the polytrauma intensive care unit of a tertiary care trauma hospital in India","authors":"Projoyita Samanta ,&nbsp;Kapil Dev Soni ,&nbsp;Rasna Parveen ,&nbsp;Arpan Kumar Thakur ,&nbsp;Bharat Chandra Das ,&nbsp;Vanlal Tluanpuii ,&nbsp;Kamran Farooque ,&nbsp;Kamini Walia ,&nbsp;Purva Mathur","doi":"10.1016/j.infpip.2025.100478","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.infpip.2025.100478","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Central line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) pose a significant risk to patients and contribute to increased healthcare costs. They are largely preventable through evidence-based quality improvement (QI) initiatives.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>In the polytrauma ICU, the CLABSI rate suddenly increased to 14/1000 central line days in the latter half of 2023. This QI initiative aimed to identify the root causes and reduce the CLABSI rates by 30% (targeting 10/1000 central line days) by June 2024.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A multidisciplinary team tested several interventions using small Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles. CLABSI prevention bundles were introduced and refined, including: the use of maximum barrier precautions during line insertion, adherence to the Central Line Insertion Practice (CLIP) tool, standardized and real time bundle monitoring via direct observation, regular training and education sessions for staff. Surveillance methods and modified CLABSI definitions from the Healthcare-Associated Infection Surveillance Network were applied.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The CLABSI rate dropped from 14 to 8 per 1,000 central line days, with 49 consecutive CLABSI-free days. Regular monitoring improved staff compliance with central line insertion and maintenance bundles including the completion of the central line (CL) insertion checklist (100%), use of full body drape (78.4%), chlorhexidine for site cleaning, aseptic conditions during CL insertion (75%) and “scrub the hub” technique (65%). Staff awareness of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) improved through regular refresher classes, bedside teaching sessions, and daily rounds by Infection Control Nurses (HCNs) and the Quality Improvement (QI) team.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>Implementation of an evidence-based CLABSI prevention bundle, combined with direct process monitoring, led to significant and sustained reduction in CLABSI rates in the polytrauma ICU.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33492,"journal":{"name":"Infection Prevention in Practice","volume":"8 1","pages":"Article 100478"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147394462","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluation of the efficacy of the automatic ozone decontamination device in a real-life setting of an intravitreal injection room","authors":"D. Salom ,&nbsp;A. Adloff-Alonso ,&nbsp;M. Salvador Aguilá ,&nbsp;C. Martínez-Rubio ,&nbsp;A. Janicka-Caulineau ,&nbsp;M. Moro-Muniz ,&nbsp;R. Rodrigo","doi":"10.1016/j.infpip.2026.100507","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.infpip.2026.100507","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of an ozonation system for disinfecting intravitreal injection rooms.</div></div><div><h3>Design</h3><div>A prospective intervention pilot study was conducted with a ‘before-and-after’ design.</div></div><div><h3>Setting</h3><div>The study was conducted in an intravitreal injection room at Hospital de Manises.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Air and surface samples were taken before and after ozonation using a remote-controlled ozonation system. The room was treated with ozone at a concentration of 9–10 ppm for 20 min. Measurements were taken immediately after, 12 h, and 24 h post ozonation. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>At 24 h post ozonation, significant reductions in microbial load were observed: in the centre of the room, the bacterial load reduced from &gt;250 colony-forming units (cfu) to 10 cfu (96%) and fungi from 14 cfu to &lt;1 cfu (93.1%) (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05); in the diffuser, the bacterial load reduced from 61 cfu to 24 cfu (60.7%) and fungi from 6 cfu to &lt;1 cfu (100%) (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05) and on the procedure chair, the bacterial load reduced from 51 cfu to 7 cfu (86.3%) and fungi from 6 cfu to 3 cfu (50%) (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.05).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>In a dedicated intravitreal injection room, a remotely controlled ozonation cycle at 9–10 ppm for 20 min was associated with substantial short-term reductions in airborne and selected surface microbial load under unoccupied conditions. Automated ozonation may complement routine cleaning and ventilation to maintain low environmental bioburden; its clinical impact remains to be determined.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33492,"journal":{"name":"Infection Prevention in Practice","volume":"8 1","pages":"Article 100507"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146182772","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Determinants of hand hygiene compliance among healthcare workers in public and private hospitals of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia","authors":"A. Melaku ,&nbsp;T. Admasu ,&nbsp;A. Ambelu","doi":"10.1016/j.infpip.2025.100488","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.infpip.2025.100488","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Hand hygiene is crucial for preventing hospital-acquired infections (HAIs), but compliance and resource availability still fall short in developing countries. This study examined hand hygiene compliance and its determinants among healthcare workers in selected hospitals in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A mixed-methods, cross-sectional study was conducted in both public and private hospitals from December 2024 to January 2025, involving 506 healthcare workers across 19 hospitals. Twenty in-depth interviews were conducted with healthcare workers. Kobo Toolbox was used for quantitative data collection, and SPSS was used for analysis. Binary and multi-nomial logistic regression identified determinants of hand hygiene compliance (<em>P</em>&lt;0.05). Thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Hand hygiene compliance showed a disparity: self-reported compliance was 71% (54.7% in public hospitals vs 87.3% in private hospitals), while observed compliance was much lower at 20.4% (11% public vs 29.8% private). Infrastructural assessment found that 79.2% of hospitals had handwashing sinks (70.9% public vs 98.6% private), 16% of which were non-functional (24.7% public vs 1.3% private). Additionally, 49.4% of hospitals lacked running water (66.8% public vs 8.6% private), and 54.6% lacked soap (79.5% public vs 9.8% private). Compliance was significantly associated with availability of a functional sink [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.29, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.17–4.51], touch-free taps (AOR 3.39, 95% CI 1.6–7.17), soap (AOR 2.11, 95% CI 1.05–4.25), training (AOR 2.39, 95% CI 1.43–4.00), and a hand hygiene protocol (AOR 7.50, 95% CI 2.84–19.81). The main barriers to compliance were infrastructural deficits, glove dependency, low risk perception, and insufficient institutional prioritization.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Hand hygiene compliance and material provision in hospitals in Addis Ababa are low, with a notable disparity between public and private hospitals. As the presence of infrastructure alone does not ensure compliance, the availability of a functional sink with water and soap at the point of care (or alcohol-based hand rub), regular hygiene training, adequate WASH funding, and strong institutional commitment are essential.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33492,"journal":{"name":"Infection Prevention in Practice","volume":"8 1","pages":"Article 100488"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145578418","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Comparison of bacterial contamination between disposable and cloth caps in an operating theatre setting","authors":"S. Kenny ,&nbsp;K. Kuan ,&nbsp;A. Walsh ,&nbsp;S.F. FitzGerald","doi":"10.1016/j.infpip.2025.100497","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.infpip.2025.100497","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":33492,"journal":{"name":"Infection Prevention in Practice","volume":"8 1","pages":"Article 100497"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145578419","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Whole-genome sequencing reveals a unique outbreak of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus clone USA400/J in Japan","authors":"Takuma Yoshida ,&nbsp;Yuka Yamagishi ,&nbsp;Hiroshi Kaneko ,&nbsp;Shunsuke Takadama ,&nbsp;Hiroshige Mikamo ,&nbsp;Hidemasa Nakaminami","doi":"10.1016/j.infpip.2025.100506","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.infpip.2025.100506","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objectives</h3><div>Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-negative, sequence type 1-staphylococcal cassette chromosome <em>mec</em> (SCC<em>mec</em>) type IV (ST1-IV) methicillin-resistant <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> (MRSA) is prevalent in Japanese hospitals. The PVL-negative ST1-IV MRSA strain is known as USA400/J in Japan. In this study, we analysed an MRSA outbreak at a Japanese university hospital using conventional methods, SCC<em>mec</em> typing, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and whole-genome sequencing (WGS).</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We analysed 12 MRSA strains isolated from the neonatal intensive care unit of Aichi Medical University Hospital. SCC<em>mec</em> typing and gene detection were performed using polymerase chain reaction. Molecular epidemiological analyses were performed using multi-locus sequence typing and PFGE. Genome-based phylogenetic analyses were performed for some strains.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The isolated MRSA strains were classified as ST1-IV (<em>N</em> = 4), ST8-IV (<em>N</em> = 1), ST764-II (<em>N</em> = 6) and ST89-V (<em>N</em> = 1). PFGE analysis showed that the ST1-IV and ST764-II strains exhibited high homology within their clones. Phylogenetic analysis based on the genomes of the USA400/J strains isolated in this study and ST1-IV isolates from overseas showed that clonal complex 1-SCC<em>mec</em> type IV (CC1-IV) strains isolated in Japan formed a unique cluster that was distinct from the ST1-IV strains from overseas. This suggests that CC1-IV evolved and spread independently in Japan.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>These findings highlight the need for increased surveillance and infection control measures that specifically target USA400/J.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33492,"journal":{"name":"Infection Prevention in Practice","volume":"8 1","pages":"Article 100506"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146037176","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Association between antimicrobial use and the detection rates of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales: long-term surveillance results from a single centre","authors":"Shinobu Hirayama ,&nbsp;Mariko Otani ,&nbsp;Hinako Murakami ,&nbsp;Maki Sakamoto ,&nbsp;Kazuhiro Tateda ,&nbsp;Takahiro Matsumoto ,&nbsp;Takashi Sugita","doi":"10.1016/j.infpip.2025.100500","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.infpip.2025.100500","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Carbapenems are vital for treating Enterobacterales infections. However, the emergence of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), mediated by carbapen-emases or otherwise, has become a global concern due to increased morbidity and mortality. In Japan, metallo-β-lactamase was found to be the predominant carbapenemase, notably imipenemase. Both carbapenem-susceptible and carbapenem-resistant strains of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales exist, which complicates the identification of carbapenemase production through susceptibility testing alone. Infection control measures, such as contact precautions and antimicrobial stewardship, are recommended to combat resistant strains. Since carbapenem use is a risk factor for resistance, reducing its consumption is a key strategy for resistance management.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>To elucidate the impact of antimicrobial use on CRE detection rates and antimicrobial resistance trends and to propose a risk assessment framework for antimicrobial resistance surveillance.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We analysed the relationship between antimicrobial use density (AUD), days of therapy (DOT) and CRE detection among inpatients at Toho University Omori Medical Centre between 2014 and 2022.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Overall, AUD and DOT increased, notably for piperacillin/tazobactam (TZP), cefmetazole, ceftriaxone (CRO) and cefepime. Conversely, AUD and DOT for flomoxef, cefoperazone/sulbactam, cefozopran, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, doripenem, aztreonam and fosfomycin decreased. AUD of meropenem (MEM) increased, but its overall proportion decreased. TZP and CRO correlated with resistance rates, while MEM did not. Carbapenemase-producing carbapenem-non-susceptible Enterobacterales (CP-CNSE) detection was associated with TZP usage, and non-carbapenemase-producing (NCP)-CNSE detection correlated with overall AUD, TZP, and CRO use.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Reducing TZP and cephalosporin usage, in addition to carbapenems, is crucial for preventing resistant strains.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33492,"journal":{"name":"Infection Prevention in Practice","volume":"8 1","pages":"Article 100500"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145977040","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Are hospital environments an underestimated source for Gram-negative infections in critically ill patients? A non-multi-drug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae outbreak in an Irish intensive care unit","authors":"S. Ali ,&nbsp;G. Macori ,&nbsp;N. Mullane ,&nbsp;B. Jayaseelan ,&nbsp;O. Donoghue ,&nbsp;S. Fanning ,&nbsp;K. Schaffer","doi":"10.1016/j.infpip.2025.100499","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.infpip.2025.100499","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div><em>Klebsiella pneumoniae</em> is a major cause of healthcare-associated infections. Although colonisation with Gram-negative bacteria in hospitalised patients is well recognised, the relative contributions of patient-to-patient versus environment-to-patient transmission remain unclear. Most outbreak investigations focus on multi-drug-resistant (MDR) strains. This study investigates a non-MDR <em>K. pneumoniae</em> outbreak in an intensive care unit (ICU) to examine the role of the hospital environment in nosocomial transmission. Clinical isolates of Klebsiella spp. were obtained from six patients between January 2021 and June 2021. Environmental swabs were collected from handwashing sinks in patient and preparation rooms, 3 months apart. Whole-genome sequencing (WGS) assessed singlenucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based relatedness using literature-informed thresholds. WGS identified five distinct clusters of genetically related K. pneumoniae isolates, linking clinical and environmental sources. The closest relationships (2—5 SNPs) were observed between patient and sink isolates within the same room, consistent with recent transmission or a shared source. Additional clusters (5—23 SNPs) involved isolates from sinks in different rooms, indicating environmental persistence and potential inter-room dissemination. Two <em>Klebsiella varicola</em> subspecies variicola bloodstream isolates from spatially distinct patients differed by only 2 SNPs, forming an additional cluster consistent with a common clonal lineage. Following enhanced daily sink disinfection and staff education, no further clinical acquisitions were identified. WGS demonstrated genetic relatedness between nonMDR Klebsiella spp. strains and ICU environmental isolates, underscoring the role of environmental reservoirs in transmitting antimicrobial-susceptible Gram-negative organisms and the importance of targeted surveillance beyond MDR settings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33492,"journal":{"name":"Infection Prevention in Practice","volume":"8 1","pages":"Article 100499"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145938368","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Application of the Blood Culture Train model based on procedural and behavioural interventions to improve the quality of blood culture collection","authors":"N. Wang ,&nbsp;T. Huang ,&nbsp;M. Hu ,&nbsp;X. Jiang ,&nbsp;H. Wu ,&nbsp;J. Wang ,&nbsp;Z. Sun ,&nbsp;B. Liu","doi":"10.1016/j.infpip.2026.100509","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.infpip.2026.100509","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study evaluated whether a multi-modal intervention based on the ‘Blood Culture Train’ (BCT) framework could enhance blood culture collection compliance and diagnostic yield in adult inpatients.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>We conducted a single-centre, before-and-after quasi-experimental study that compared key collection indicators in 2023 (before the intervention) and 2024 (after the intervention). The intervention consisted of a Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute M47-A–compliant standardized workflow, blockchain-enabled traceability, virtual reality–based simulation training and a closed-loop quality feedback system. Primary outcomes were the bilateral collection rate and achievement of target blood volume; secondary outcomes included culture positivity, contamination and staff knowledge proficiency. Multi-variable logistic regression and a difference-in-differences (DID) analysis were used to test the independence and causality of observed effects.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>After implementation, the bilateral collection rate rose from 44.5% to 89.9%, and blood-volume compliance increased from 62.0% to 92.5% (both <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001). Culture positivity improved from 6.56% to 9.43% (<em>P</em> &lt; 0.001), whereas the contamination rate decreased from 2.28% to 0.72% (<em>P</em> = 0.02). Staff knowledge scores increased by &gt;25%. BCT exposure was independently associated with compliance (adjusted odds ratio = 5.67, 95% confidence interval: 4.53–7.09, <em>P</em> &lt; 0.001), and the DID analysis confirmed a causal link between the intervention and outcome gains.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>The BCT-based multi-modal strategy significantly improved blood culture collection compliance, reduced contamination and enhanced diagnostic yield. Its scalable design, underpinned by digital technologies, may be applicable to other primary and secondary healthcare settings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33492,"journal":{"name":"Infection Prevention in Practice","volume":"8 1","pages":"Article 100509"},"PeriodicalIF":1.9,"publicationDate":"2026-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146187803","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}