Infection Prevention in Practice最新文献

{"title":"Reducing waste and improving provider safety: a retrospective analysis with lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic","authors":"Johannes Heymer,&nbsp;Stefani Fruchi,&nbsp;Anna Hein,&nbsp;Matthias Ott,&nbsp;Daniel Räpple","doi":"10.1016/j.infpip.2025.100437","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.infpip.2025.100437","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Reducing waste is an important component in comprehensive efforts to create greener intensive care units (ICU). Personal protective equipment (PPE) constitutes a significant share of the waste produced during ICU care. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the availability and supply of PPE posed substantial challenges globally. We aimed to investigate the lessons learned from the use of PPE during the pandemic (regarding the reduction of PPE consumption) and impact on hospital-acquired infections in healthcare workers.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Conducting a retrospective analysis, we examined all newly issued standard operating procedures for the ICU related to the pandemic. We observed for a potential effect on the use of PPE and scrutinized PPE consumption and patient day data focusing on potential differences between 2020 and the following years until 2023. The primary objective was to evaluate the impact of the protocols and measures on PPE consumption.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Our analysis revealed that the implementation of four key infection control measures (cohorting, limitation of visits, institutional protocols for PPE use, staff training) lead to a substantial reduction in the use of masks and isolation gowns during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic with no recorded hospital-acquired infections among healthcare workers.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>It is possible to reduce PPE consumption without compromising the safety of our healthcare professionals. Our observations may guide future policies to reduce PPE consumption with the intent of reducing the environmental impact.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33492,"journal":{"name":"Infection Prevention in Practice","volume":"7 1","pages":"Article 100437"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143095954","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Understanding healthcare workers' experiences of face mask use in healthcare settings during the COVID-19 pandemic: an interview study","authors":"H. Carter ,&nbsp;A. Sharp ,&nbsp;L. Davidson ,&nbsp;C. Foster ,&nbsp;E. McGuire ,&nbsp;C. Brown ,&nbsp;D. Weston","doi":"10.1016/j.infpip.2024.100434","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.infpip.2024.100434","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Whilst healthcare workers (HCWs) are at high risk of contracting infectious viral diseases, such as COVID-19, measures can be put in place to reduce the spread of diseases in healthcare settings. These currently include the use of different types of masks: fluid-resistant surgical masks (FRSM) and filtering facepiece (FFP3) respirators. However, for mask policies to be effective, compliance with their use must be high.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>To understand any barriers to face mask use, and to promote compliance with face mask policy.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Twelve HCWs from a variety of backgrounds were interviewed during the COVID-19 pandemic in England in 2022 to understand their experiences of mask use. We explored factors associated with compliance with mask use and potential impacts on HCW wellbeing.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>Overall, participants reported good understanding of the benefits of masks and high compliance levels with policy. However, factors that reduced their compliance with mask policy and impacted their ability to carry out their role were highlighted. These included wearing masks for longer durations, policy being perceived as out of proportion with risk, communication challenges, and discomfort.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This study highlights the importance of clear communication of guidance, particularly when it has changed, ensuring staff are familiar with up-to-date research on efficacy of masks, and ensuring guidance aligns with risk. Furthermore, this study highlights the importance of masks being required for an appropriate duration (based on risk).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33492,"journal":{"name":"Infection Prevention in Practice","volume":"7 1","pages":"Article 100434"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2025-01-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11786728/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143081267","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Concurrent presence of Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome mec types of Meticillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus in hospital environments and post-operative patients at a hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal","authors":"Krishma Pandit ,&nbsp;Supriya Sharma ,&nbsp;Shreedhar Aryal ,&nbsp;Asmita Lamichhane ,&nbsp;Sushma Regmi ,&nbsp;Prativa Paudel ,&nbsp;Sirjana Koirala ,&nbsp;Suprina Sharma ,&nbsp;Sanjib Adhikari ,&nbsp;Komal Raj Rijal ,&nbsp;Pramod Poudel","doi":"10.1016/j.infpip.2024.100436","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.infpip.2024.100436","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Introduction</h3><div>Meticillin resistant <em>S. aureus</em> (MRSA) is a major contributor to surgical site infections in post-operative patients. Hospital environments harbor MRSA, contributing to higher risk of nosocomial infections. Meticillin resistance is conferred by acquisition of <em>mecA</em> gene, typically carried on mobile genetic element called Staphylococcal Cassette Chromosome <em>mec</em> (SCC<em>mec</em>).</div></div><div><h3>Objective</h3><div>This study aimed to determine the prevalence of MRSA, detect <em>mecA</em>, characterize SCC<em>mec</em> types and compare their concurrent presence in clinical and environmental isolates.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A cross sectional study was conducted at Bhaktapur Hospital, Nepal among clinical specimens collected from postoperative patients. Air and environmental samples were collected by plate exposure and swabbing methods. Samples were processed for culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing by Kirby-Bauer Disc diffusion method, and identification of MRSA using cefoxitin disc. SCC<em>mec</em> typing was done by conventional PCR.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The culture positivity among samples from post-operative patients was 13.9% (326/2350) with <em>S.aureus</em> (39.7%,29/73) being predominating Gram positive bacteria. MRSA accounted for 68 % (20/29) of clinical isolates and 66% (22/33) of environmental isolates, with <em>mecA</em> detected in 85% (17/20) and 72.8% (16/22) respectively. SCC<em>mec</em> Type II predominated followed by Type V and I, while other types were absent. Comparison of SCC<em>mec</em> elements between post-operative patients and hospital environmental samples revealed concurrent presence in both setting, with Type II being the most prevalent.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>SCC<em>mec</em> Type I, II, V and <em>mecA</em> elements were concurrently present in both post-operative patients and hospital environments. Effective preventive measures are warranted to break the MRSA transmission between these settings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33492,"journal":{"name":"Infection Prevention in Practice","volume":"7 1","pages":"Article 100436"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11774771/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143068386","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Risk of nosocomial respiratory syncytial virus versus influenza among adult patients in acute care hospitals","authors":"Raija Auvinen ,&nbsp;Kaisa Huotari ,&nbsp;Hanna Nohynek ,&nbsp;Ritva K. Syrjänen ,&nbsp;Kirsi Skogberg","doi":"10.1016/j.infpip.2024.100431","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.infpip.2024.100431","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>While nosocomial influenza is common, the risk of transmission in acute care remains unclear in the absence of systematic surveillance. Even less is known about the risk of nosocomial respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) among immunocompetent adults.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>To compare the proportions and incidences of nosocomial cases caused by these two similar respiratory infections among hospitalized adults.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>A retrospective study was conducted at two tertiary care hospitals in Southern Finland. Data on all hospitalized adult patients with a positive RSV or influenza test during 2016–22 were used to detect all nosocomial and community-acquired RSV and influenza cases. The proportion of nosocomial cases of all hospitalized cases was calculated. The incidences of nosocomial cases per 1000 bed-days were calculated by season and ward type for the five seasons before the COVID-19 pandemic.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Nosocomial RSV and influenza occurred in 2.8% and 8.1% of all hospitalized adult patients with a laboratory-confirmed infection. Over five seasons, 2016–20, the total incidences of nosocomial RSV and influenza cases per 1000 bed-days were 0.027 (95% confidence interval: 0.013, 0.050) and 0.32 (0.27, 0.39). Nosocomial RSV infections were especially poorly recorded with a virus-specific ICD-10 diagnosis code listed for only 16.7% of RSV and 59.8% of nosocomial influenza patients.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Despite preventive measures, the incidence of nosocomial influenza was more than tenfold, and the proportion of nosocomial cases was almost threefold compared with RSV among hospitalized adults in acute care. Prevention and surveillance of both nosocomial influenza and RSV should be improved also among immunocompetent adult patients.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33492,"journal":{"name":"Infection Prevention in Practice","volume":"7 1","pages":"Article 100431"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11782808/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143081264","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genomic evaluation of phenotypic antibiotic susceptibility patterns as a surrogate for MRSA relatedness and putative transmission during outbreak investigations","authors":"Francesc Coll ,&nbsp;Michelle S. Toleman ,&nbsp;Ewan M. Harrison ,&nbsp;Beth Blane ,&nbsp;Dorota Jamrozy ,&nbsp;Nicholas M. Brown ,&nbsp;Julian Parkhill ,&nbsp;Sharon J. Peacock","doi":"10.1016/j.infpip.2024.100435","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.infpip.2024.100435","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Antibiograms have been used during outbreak investigations for decades as a surrogate for genetic relatedness of Methicillin-resistant <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> (MRSA). In this study, we evaluate the accuracy of antibiograms in detecting transmission, using genomic epidemiology as the reference standard. We analysed epidemiological and genomic data from 1,465 patients and 1,465 MRSA isolates collected at a single clinical microbiology laboratory in the United Kingdom over a one-year period. A total of 132 unique antibiograms (AB) were identified based on VITEK 2 susceptibility testing, with two profiles (AB1 and AB2) accounting for 698 isolates (48%). We identified MRSA-positive patients with a known hospital or community contact and evaluated the prediction of MRSA transmission based on identical antibiograms. The sensitivity and specificity of identical antibiograms to infer genetically related MRSA isolates (≤25 SNPs) within hospital contacts (presumed transmission events) was 66.4% and 85.5% respectively and 73.8% and 85.7% within community contacts. Reanalysis, where any single drug mismatch in susceptibility results was allowed, increased sensitivity but reduced specificity: 95.2% and 58.8%, respectively, for hospital contacts; and 91.7% and 62.6% for community contacts. Overall, the sensitivity and specificity of identical antibiograms for inferring genetically related MRSA isolates (≤25 SNPs), regardless of epidemiological links, were 49.1% and 87.5%, respectively. We conclude that using an antibiogram with one mismatch can detect most transmission events; however, its poor specificity may lead to an increased workload through the evaluation of numerous pseudo-outbreaks. This study further supports the integration of genomic epidemiology into routine practice for the detection and control of MRSA transmission.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33492,"journal":{"name":"Infection Prevention in Practice","volume":"7 1","pages":"Article 100435"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11772957/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143060742","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Hospital toilets and drainage systems as a reservoir for a long-term polyclonal outbreak of clinical infections with multidrug-resistant Klebsiella oxytoca species complex","authors":"Astri Lervik Larsen ,&nbsp;Torunn Pedersen ,&nbsp;Arnfinn Sundsfjord ,&nbsp;Theodor A. Ross ,&nbsp;Anja Dyresen Guleng ,&nbsp;Jon Birger Haug ,&nbsp;Anna K. Pöntinen ,&nbsp;Ørjan Samuelsen","doi":"10.1016/j.infpip.2024.100430","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.infpip.2024.100430","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Nosocomial outbreaks with multidrug-resistant bacteria with a probable reservoir in hospital toilets and drainage systems have been increasingly reported.</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>To investigate an increase in bacteraemia with extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing <em>Klebsiella oxytoca</em> at our hospital in 2021; the epidemiology of the outbreak suggested an environmental source.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Available clinical <em>K. oxytoca</em> isolates from patient with infection or rectal carriage from 2019 to 2022 were collected. Clinical information was gathered from included patients and sampled sinks, shower drains, and toilet water. Short- and long-read whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed on patient and environmental isolates to assess phylogenetic relationships, antibiotic resistance genes/mutations, and plasmid profiles.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>WGS revealed four clusters and a polyclonal population consisting of ESBL-producing <em>K. oxytoca</em> and <em>Klebsiella michiganensis</em>. All clusters contained both clinical and environmental isolates. The environmental sampling revealed widespread contamination of the outbreak strains in the outbreak ward, and plasmid analyses indicated possible transfer of plasmids between species and clones. Most environmental findings in the outbreak ward were from toilet water, and enhanced cleaning of bathrooms and toilets was introduced. The following year, a decrease in outbreak strains in systemic infections was observed.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>This investigation uncovered a polyclonal outbreak of multidrug-resistant <em>K. oxytoca</em> and <em>K. michiganensis</em> and unveiled a persistent reservoir of outbreak clones in the drainage system and toilet water, facilitating exchange of resistance genes. The risk of toilet water as a source of clinical infections warrants further investigation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33492,"journal":{"name":"Infection Prevention in Practice","volume":"7 1","pages":"Article 100430"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11760810/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143048050","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bacterial burden and drug-resistant bacteria in healthcare workers' mobile phones: a study in Puerto Rican outpatient clinics","authors":"R. Scharbaai–Vázquez,&nbsp;A.N. García–Aponte,&nbsp;C. Huertas–Ayala,&nbsp;E.Y. Martínez–Monegro,&nbsp;G.M. Guadalupe–Ríos,&nbsp;J. Díaz–Portorreal,&nbsp;M.I. González–Torres,&nbsp;N.M. Fernández","doi":"10.1016/j.infpip.2024.100432","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.infpip.2024.100432","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Mobile phones used by healthcare workers (HCWs) in hospitals are significant reservoirs of drug-resistant bacteria responsible for hospital-acquired infections (HAIs).</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>The objective of this study was to assess the level of contamination with such bacteria in outpatient clinics.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>Swabs from 83 HCWs' mobile phones were processed using standard biochemical and enzymatic procedures to identify pathogenic bacteria. β-Lactamase tests, antimicrobial susceptibility tests, screening for extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL), and carbapenemase production were performed according to CLSI guidelines. Molecular detection of multi-drug-resistant genes (<em>mecA</em> in <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em> and <em>kpc</em>/<em>ndm</em> carbapenemases in <em>Klebsiella pneumoniae</em> and <em>Acinetobacter</em> spp.) was performed using multiplex real-time polymerase chain reaction.</div></div><div><h3>Findings</h3><div>The overall prevalence of mobile phone contamination with one or more bacteria was 100%. A total of 51 Gram-positive and 44 Gram-negative isolates, including 20 coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS), 20 <em>S. aureus</em> (0 meticillin-resistant <em>S. aureus</em>), 11 <em>Acinetobacter</em> spp. and 10 <em>K. pneumoniae</em> were isolated. β-Lactamase production was detected in 45% of CoNS and 30% of <em>S. aureus</em>. Panton–Valentine Leukocidin (PVL) toxin gene in <em>S. aureus</em> was found in 20% (4/20) of the isolates. Twenty (20%) and 13% of the <em>Acinetobacter</em> spp. and <em>K. pneumoniae</em> isolates, respectively, were ESBL but not carbapenemase producers.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The presence of HAI-causing organisms on mobile phones used by HCWs in outpatient clinics necessitates the implementation of infection control measures to mitigate the risk of cross-contamination in critical healthcare settings.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33492,"journal":{"name":"Infection Prevention in Practice","volume":"7 1","pages":"Article 100432"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11732673/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143012992","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A multimedia tool for infection prevention and control practices in the intensive care unit: a participatory interventional before–after study","authors":"Sunil Kumar Bijarania ,&nbsp;Rupinder Kaur ,&nbsp;Manisha Biswal ,&nbsp;Sangeeta Maheshwar ,&nbsp;Rajarajan Ganesan ,&nbsp;Goverdhan D. Puri ,&nbsp;Sushant Konar ,&nbsp;Shyam Thingnam","doi":"10.1016/j.infpip.2024.100423","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.infpip.2024.100423","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>Infection prevention and control (IPC) practices by critical care nurses are crucial in preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and central-line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI).</div></div><div><h3>Aim</h3><div>To implement an integrative approach to developing a set of IPC practices and disseminating information on the IPC practices through an educational multimedia tool to improve compliance with the practices.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This participatory interventional before–after study was conducted in a single tertiary care centre's cardiac surgical intensive care unit (ICU) from May 2022 to March 2023. Thirty-seven nursing IPC practices related to VAP and eight for CLABSI were finalized through a three-step process: systematized review, focused group discussions (five rounds), and Delphi rounds (three rounds). The IPC practices were disseminated through a multimedia tool, displayed continuously in the ICU. Nurses' compliance with the IPC practices observed directly was compared before and after implementing the multimedia tool.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>A total of 6043 observations for practices related to VAP and 1957 observations for those of CLABSI were performed. There was an increase in compliance post implementation for 11 IPC practices related to VAP and two IPC for those of CLABSI. There was an increase in compliance with practices relevant to chlorhexidine baths, oral care, cuff pressure maintenance, hypertonic saline nebulization, endotracheal suctioning, scrubbing the hub for central line access, and assessment of the central line for removal.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusion</h3><div>Through a participatory approach, we developed a set of IPC nursing practices for VAP and CLABSI. Implementing a multimedia tool, which encompasses the newly implemented IPC practices, improved compliance with many practices.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33492,"journal":{"name":"Infection Prevention in Practice","volume":"7 1","pages":"Article 100423"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11728882/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142980200","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The correlation between subcutaneous fat thickness and the incidence of chemoport-related infection","authors":"Thanaphon Khongyut,&nbsp;Tanapong Panpikoon,&nbsp;Chinnarat Buangam,&nbsp;Kaewpitcha Pichitpichatkul,&nbsp;Tharinton Treesit,&nbsp;Sasikorn Feinggumloon","doi":"10.1016/j.infpip.2024.100433","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.infpip.2024.100433","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>This study aimed to examine the correlation between subcutaneous fat thickness and chemoport-related infection and to determine the risk factors that lead to complications associated with chemoport.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>This study retrospectively reviewed 363 patients with chemoport insertion between May 2018 and May 2022. The patients were classified into three groups, with 121 patients in each group, based on the tertiles of subcutaneous fat thickness measured in the computed tomography (CT) scan. The incidence of short-term and long-term complications, including dislocation, infection, and malfunction, were obtained and compared between the three groups. The risk factors of chemoport-related complications were analysed in multivariate analysis.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The incidence of infection in the low, middle, and high subcutaneous fat thickness groups were 1.7%, 3.3%, and 0%, respectively (<em>P</em> = 0.131). No short-term complications occurred in this study group. After one year of follow-up, 11 patients (3.0%) had long-term complications; 6 patients (1.7%) developed chemoport infection, while five patients (1.4%) had chemoport dislocation. In multivariate analysis, the risk of dislocation was significantly higher when insertion was performed via the left internal jugular vein (OR = 9.87, <em>P</em>=0.033).</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>The thickness of subcutaneous fat does not significantly correlate with the incidence of chemoport infection, and placement of the port on the left side of the chest wall via the left internal jugular vein is the risk factor for chemoport dislocation.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33492,"journal":{"name":"Infection Prevention in Practice","volume":"7 1","pages":"Article 100433"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11699447/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142932855","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in a long-term care hospital in Korea in early 2021","authors":"Eun Jo Kim ,&nbsp;JaHyun Kang ,&nbsp;HyeonSuk Byeon","doi":"10.1016/j.infpip.2024.100427","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.infpip.2024.100427","url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>This study describes the outbreak investigations and control measures for a coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak at a long-term care hospital (LTCH) in Seoul.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>The outbreak occurred from February 24, 2021 to March 2, 2021 at a 228-bed LTCH in Seoul. Monitoring of the outbreak continued until March 16, 2021. The LTCH investigated the outbreak in cooperation with the district public health centre. After approval from the institutional review board, the hospital's COVID-19 outbreak-related data were collected and analysed.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>The outbreak commenced when a new caregiver tested positive for COVID-19 in routine employee screening tests. During this outbreak, eight of 342 people including 175 patients and 64 caregivers were positive for the COVID-19 virus SARS-CoV-2. The mean age of the confirmed cases was 75.1 years (range 55–90). Of the eight, four (50%) were males; two (25%) were caregivers; six (75%) were asymptomatic; six (75%) had previously visited a rehabilitation centre, which was located on the basement level; and one visited different hospitals' outpatient clinics. Three of the 22 environmental specimens were test-positive at the corridor's handrail and the bed rails of confirmed patients. The outbreak ended with the immediate transfer of the confirmed cases to hospitals dedicated to infectious diseases and the transfer of close contacts of these cases to designated hospitals which were organised by the health authorities.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>We found a potential link between the rehabilitation centre and the outbreak. To prevent future outbreaks at LTCHs, it is necessary to enhance each LTCH's infection control resources and competencies based on its specific requirements, with support from the government.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":33492,"journal":{"name":"Infection Prevention in Practice","volume":"7 1","pages":"Article 100427"},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-11-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11699601/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142932822","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}