Hala Ashmaig, Kaia Lindsey, Sara M Reese, Kelley Knapek
{"title":"Alcohol use as a risk factor for Clostridioides difficile.","authors":"Hala Ashmaig, Kaia Lindsey, Sara M Reese, Kelley Knapek","doi":"10.1016/j.ajic.2024.12.002","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ajic.2024.12.002","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) is a pathogen of concern. Several risk factors are known, but patients without these risk factors continue to develop the disease. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is known to disrupt the gut similar to antibiotics, which prompted this evaluation of the association between AUD and C. diff infection.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective cohort study was conducted within 5 hospitals in a health system in Colorado. Adults 18 years of age or older who were seen in the Emergency Department or directly admitted to the hospital in 2022 and 2023 were included. A logistic regression was used to investigate the association between AUD and C. diff.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Using an adjusted model, patients with AUD had 2.36 times greater odds of C. diff compared with patients without AUD. The odds of C. diff were 1.88 times greater for those with AUD diagnoses alone compared with patients without AUD. The odds were 1.96 times greater for those with AUD and active withdrawal compared with those without.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>There is a significant association between AUD and increased risk of C. diff, with that risk increasing in patients actively withdrawing. This information can be used to guide earlier interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":7621,"journal":{"name":"American journal of infection control","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142823676","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Satish Munigala, Helen Wood, Josephine Fox, Heather Gasama, Robert Russel, David K Warren
{"title":"Predictors for noncompliant intravascular catheter insertion site dressings at a large academic center.","authors":"Satish Munigala, Helen Wood, Josephine Fox, Heather Gasama, Robert Russel, David K Warren","doi":"10.1016/j.ajic.2024.12.010","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ajic.2024.12.010","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Using intravascular catheter dressing audit data, we evaluated factors associated with noncompliant dressing. Male sex and gauze dressing had a higher risk of noncompliant dressing; presence of one or more lumens infusing, central venous catheter, peripherally inserted central catheters line, implantable port and contact precautions were associated with a lower risk of noncompliant dressing.</p>","PeriodicalId":7621,"journal":{"name":"American journal of infection control","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142863012","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Samir Memic, Maria M Torres-Teran, Jennifer L Cadnum, Curtis J Donskey
{"title":"Evaluation of a far ultraviolet-C device for decontamination of portable equipment in clinical areas.","authors":"Samir Memic, Maria M Torres-Teran, Jennifer L Cadnum, Curtis J Donskey","doi":"10.1016/j.ajic.2024.12.011","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ajic.2024.12.011","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Contaminated portable equipment may contribute to transmission of health care-associated pathogens. We demonstrated that a wall-mounted far ultraviolet-C light technology that delivers far ultraviolet-C only when people are not present was effective in reducing contamination on in-use patient transport chairs and physical therapy equipment in equipment rooms. The technology could potentially be used as an adjunctive measure for decontamination of portable equipment in clinical areas.</p>","PeriodicalId":7621,"journal":{"name":"American journal of infection control","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142863009","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Camilla Wistrand, Bo Söderquist, Örjan Friberg, Ann-Sofie Sundqvist
{"title":"Bacterial air contamination and the protective effect of coverage for sterile surgical goods: A randomized controlled trial.","authors":"Camilla Wistrand, Bo Söderquist, Örjan Friberg, Ann-Sofie Sundqvist","doi":"10.1016/j.ajic.2024.12.012","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ajic.2024.12.012","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>There is limited knowledge regarding how long prepared sterile goods can wait before becoming contaminated. We investigated whether surgical goods could be prepared the day before surgery and kept sterile overnight in the operating room, if protected by sterile covers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Sterile surgical goods for open-heart surgeries (n=70) were randomized to preparation on the morning of the operation or on the previous evening. Exposure time was the total time between preparation and use. Primary outcome was bacterial growth reported as colony forming units (cfu), isolated on 840 agar plates. The protocol was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05597072).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>When the agar plates were protected with sterile covers, exposure time had no impact (intervention group: 7 cfu, control group: 17 cfu). Without protection, longer exposure time was associated with more cfu (P=.016). A total of 499 cfu were isolated, displaying 59 different types of bacteria including 13 resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis, 6 (46%) of which were multidrug resistant.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Sterile goods could wait in the operating room for at least 15 hours before use without increased risk of bacterial air contamination, if protected with sterile covers. However, if the goods were not covered, bacterial air contamination occurred over time.</p>","PeriodicalId":7621,"journal":{"name":"American journal of infection control","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142852098","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Survey said! LTC-CIP certificant's perspective with passing the certification exam.","authors":"Steven J Schweon, Monika Pogorzelska-Maziarz","doi":"10.1016/j.ajic.2024.12.009","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ajic.2024.12.009","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic's severe long-term care (LTC) disease burden underscores the need for infection prevention and control (IPC) expertise in LTC facilities. Launched in 2023, the LTC Certification in Infection Prevention (LTC-CIP) exam allows LTC infection preventionists to demonstrate proficiency in IPC program management. This study aims to evaluate the LTC-CIP certification's impact on certificants' IPC practices, programs, and personal and professional growth.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An electronic survey was distributed to all certificants in March 2024. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Eighty responses were collected (17% response rate). Key themes were identified regarding certification's impact on IPC practices, including best practice implementation, enhanced knowledge and skills, and increased confidence and professional growth. Respondents reported certification resulted in enhanced program effectiveness, improved staff knowledge and compliance, and increased leadership and influence. Additionally, certificants reported lower infection rates, improved antimicrobial stewardship and vaccine adherence, and stronger data analysis skills.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>The findings demonstrate LTC-CIP certificants were highly motivated to gain advanced LTC IPC knowledge and apply it to their IPC programs, leading to reported improvements in resident and staff outcomes.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>This study highlights the LTC-CIP certification's positive impact on reported IPC practices, infection rates, and professional growth in LTC settings. Future research should validate findings with objective outcome data, assess long-term effects, broader applicability, and certification barriers.</p>","PeriodicalId":7621,"journal":{"name":"American journal of infection control","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142833435","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"A model to guide outbreak response in congregate settings.","authors":"Sarah Bur","doi":"10.1016/j.ajic.2024.12.007","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ajic.2024.12.007","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7621,"journal":{"name":"American journal of infection control","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142827012","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Dipti Khatri, Nazanin Falconer, Sonali Coulter, Leonard C Gray, David L Paterson, Christopher Freeman
{"title":"How do residential aged care antibiograms compare with other local resistance data?","authors":"Dipti Khatri, Nazanin Falconer, Sonali Coulter, Leonard C Gray, David L Paterson, Christopher Freeman","doi":"10.1016/j.ajic.2024.12.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ajic.2024.12.001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Antibiograms can optimize empirical antibiotic prescribing; however, they are not readily available for residential aged care facilities (RACFs) in Queensland, Australia. This study aimed to determine whether alternatively available data can be used to approximate resistance patterns for RACFs.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Annual RACF-specific antibiograms were compared with local hospital antibiograms accessed through pathology providers. Additionally, composite antibiograms, of geographically united RACF data, were compared with regional hospital and private pathology RACF antibiograms. Antibiotic susceptibility rates for commonly observed bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Enterococcus faecalis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus) were compared among different antibiograms using Fisher exact test, with a P value ≤ 0.05 indicating the statistically significant difference. The concordance among the antibiograms was described by percentage similarity overall and for a subset of clinically relevant pathogen-antibiotic pairs.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Composite RACF antibiogram was highly concordant (83%-100% similarity) to private pathology RACF data when compared for clinically relevant pathogen-antibiotic pairs. Mixed results were found when individual RACF-specific antibiograms were compared with local hospital all-ages and ≥ 65 years data (50%-100% and 67%-100% similarity, respectively).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Private pathology RACF antibiograms can serve as a proxy indicator of resistance patterns for RACFs. Mixed findings were noted for comparisons with hospital data.</p>","PeriodicalId":7621,"journal":{"name":"American journal of infection control","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142821831","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Lars Andrup, Barbara Kolarik, Anne Mette Klingenberg, Lene Stephansen, Karen A Krogfelt, Anne Mette Madsen
{"title":"Indoor air quality and symptoms of acute respiratory infections and gastrointestinal issues in children and employees in day-care nurseries.","authors":"Lars Andrup, Barbara Kolarik, Anne Mette Klingenberg, Lene Stephansen, Karen A Krogfelt, Anne Mette Madsen","doi":"10.1016/j.ajic.2024.12.006","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ajic.2024.12.006","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Children attending day-care centers (DCCs) experience more infections than those cared for at home and DCC employees have high sickness absence rates. This study aimed to investigate the association between indoor air quality and absenteeism among children and staff in DCCs.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>CO<sub>2</sub> levels, relative humidity (RH), and temperature were continuously measured in 22 DCCs over 3 winter months. Simultaneously, absenteeism due to sickness was recorded for 721 children and 213 employees. In 11 DCCs, staff received training to improve ventilation.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The median CO<sub>2</sub> concentration, RH, and temperature were 818 ppm, 38.7%, and 20.8 °C, respectively. Acute respiratory infections (ARIs) accounted for 42% of child absenteeism and 53% of staff absenteeism, while gastrointestinal symptoms (GI) were responsible for 24.7% and 27.3% of absenteeism in children and staff, respectively. No significant association was found between ARI absenteeism and CO<sub>2</sub> concentration, RH, or temperature. However, a significant association was observed between GI and room temperature (P < .05). No significant differences in CO<sub>2</sub> concentration or absenteeism were observed between intervention and control groups.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>No statistical evidence was found that ARI absenteeism was associated with the measured indoor air quality parameters. GI for staff and children was significantly associated with room temperature. Absenteeism was not associated significantly with targeted interventions.</p>","PeriodicalId":7621,"journal":{"name":"American journal of infection control","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142821832","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
J R Caldera, Bennett Shaw, Daniel Z Uslan, Shangxin Yang
{"title":"Cluster of extensively drug-resistant Shigella sonnei carrying bla<sub>CTX-M-15</sub> in Los Angeles, California, 2023 to 2024.","authors":"J R Caldera, Bennett Shaw, Daniel Z Uslan, Shangxin Yang","doi":"10.1016/j.ajic.2024.12.005","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ajic.2024.12.005","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We describe 3 cases of extensively drug-resistant Shigella sonnei infections among men who have sex with men in Los Angeles, CA. Using whole-genome sequencing, we determined that they are highly genetically related, exhibit similar antimicrobial resistomes, and appear to be distinct from other circulating strains. These cases highlight the rapid expansion of extensively drug-resistant Shigella in the United States and the urgent need for appropriate detection and management.</p>","PeriodicalId":7621,"journal":{"name":"American journal of infection control","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142816874","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Tessa J C Langeveld, Manon R Haverkate, Renske Eilers, Freek de Haan, Aura Timen
{"title":"Home-based nursing care for clients carrying multidrug-resistant organisms: A focus group study in the Netherlands.","authors":"Tessa J C Langeveld, Manon R Haverkate, Renske Eilers, Freek de Haan, Aura Timen","doi":"10.1016/j.ajic.2024.12.003","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ajic.2024.12.003","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>The growing population of vulnerable clients receiving home-based nursing care (HBNC), combined with the worldwide increase in the prevalence of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), poses a new burden on nursing staff. This study explored the attitudes, perceptions, experiences, challenges, and needs of nursing staff providing HBNC for clients carrying MDROs.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Seven focus groups with home-based nursing staff (N = 34) were performed in the Netherlands between April and July 2022, using a semistructured, open-ended topic list based on the integrated-change model and seven domains of practice. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Participants experienced ambiguities in infection prevention and control recommendations in MDRO guidelines or protocols. At times, the proportionality of these measures was questioned, including the effect on compliance. Participants indicated to be influenced by perceptions and behavior of their colleagues and clients. Furthermore, participants experienced inadequate information exchange about MDRO carriage and debated about the roles and responsibilities of involved health care professionals.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>There is a need for tailored MDRO guidelines for HBNC. Expanding knowledge, sufficient resources, and improving information exchange about MDRO carriage among health care professionals, clients (including their family members), and HBNC organization boards are essential to respond to current developments in HBNC.</p>","PeriodicalId":7621,"journal":{"name":"American journal of infection control","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2024-12-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142805846","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}