Laura J Rush, Sarah R MacEwan, Courtney Hebert, Lindsey N Sova, Alice A Gaughan, Tyler Griesenbrock, Timothy R Huerta, Ann Scheck McAlearney
{"title":"Development of the SMART Toolkit: An online collection of management resources for health care-associated infection prevention.","authors":"Laura J Rush, Sarah R MacEwan, Courtney Hebert, Lindsey N Sova, Alice A Gaughan, Tyler Griesenbrock, Timothy R Huerta, Ann Scheck McAlearney","doi":"10.1016/j.ajic.2025.06.001","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ajic.2025.06.001","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We previously reported results of an in-depth study of management practices to prevent health care-associated infections. Here we describe the development of an online toolkit containing resources that can be used to implement 6 of these key management practices. Resources include practical examples, quotations describing the importance of the practice, facilitator guides and presentation slides for conducting informational sessions, assessment tools, communication templates, and simulation activities. This paper describes the development of the online toolkit, which is available at https://smart.osu.edu/.</p>","PeriodicalId":7621,"journal":{"name":"American journal of infection control","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144245790","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}
Eliza Watson, Leon J Worth, Karin Thursky, Lyn-Li Lim, Ann Bull, Janet K Sluggett, David Dunt, Noleen Bennett
{"title":"A priority framework for the development of a healthcare-associated infection surveillance program in Australian residential aged care homes: analysis of a Delphi technique.","authors":"Eliza Watson, Leon J Worth, Karin Thursky, Lyn-Li Lim, Ann Bull, Janet K Sluggett, David Dunt, Noleen Bennett","doi":"10.1016/j.ajic.2025.05.019","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2025.05.019","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>There is no agreed scope for a comprehensive national residential aged care home (RACH) healthcare- associated infection (HAI) surveillance program in Australia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Three sequential surveys were anonymously and independently completed by 25-40 invited subject experts. Each participant, using Likert scales, rated the importance and feasibility of including potential program elements in a national RACH HAI surveillance program. Aggregate agreement levels were defined consensual (>90%, surveys 2 and 3), high (>75%, survey 1 or 75-89%, surveys 2 and 3), moderate (31-74%, all surveys) or low (<30%, all surveys). Program elements were classified 'priority 1' (if there was consensual agreement for importance and feasibility), 2, 3 or non-priority.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 58 potential program elements, 26 were classified as priority 1; this included program elements focused on infection surveillance (5), infection detection criteria (1), organism surveillance (8), isolate monitoring methods (1), vaccination compliance (4), vaccination compliance targets (4) and antimicrobial appropriateness measures (3). Six, 14 and 12 program elements were classified priority 2,3 and non-priority respectively.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Our study developed a strategic framework for a national RACH HAI surveillance program by determining priorities for inclusion of program elements. This framework will be used to develop a pilot program for Australian RACHs.</p>","PeriodicalId":7621,"journal":{"name":"American journal of infection control","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144232983","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}
Kelly A Barrett, Rowena Clavines, Haillie Meek, Wallace Jenkins, Monica Quinn, Ada Huang, Bruce Reidenberg, Karyn Hirsch, Emily Lutterloh, Geetika Sood
{"title":"Investigation of Strongyloides stercoralis in an intermediate care facility for developmentally disabled individuals, New York, November to December 2023.","authors":"Kelly A Barrett, Rowena Clavines, Haillie Meek, Wallace Jenkins, Monica Quinn, Ada Huang, Bruce Reidenberg, Karyn Hirsch, Emily Lutterloh, Geetika Sood","doi":"10.1016/j.ajic.2025.05.021","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ajic.2025.05.021","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Strongyloidiasis is a parasitic infection caused by the nematode Strongyloides stercoralis and can often be asymptomatic.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An investigation was initiated by the local health department following notification of 3 cases of Strongyloides in a facility for individuals with developmental disabilities in November 2023. Residents and staff were tested using immunoglobulin G antibody by a commercial laboratory. A site visit was conducted, and staff were interviewed.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Among 62 residents and 140 staff tested, 11 (17.7%) residents and 6 (4.3%) staff were positive for Strongyloides immunoglobulin G antibodies. Age ranged from 29 to 68 years. Most affected residents were male (72%) and located on the third floor (82%) (odds ratio 2.88 [CI 0.49, 30.23]). Almost all residents were nonambulatory. Infection control practices were assessed; a compliance rate of 4% was observed for staff hand hygiene opportunities and 14% for environmental cleaning in resident rooms. Positive cases were treated, and the last case was reported in December 2023.</p><p><strong>Discussion: </strong>This was a large outbreak of strongyloidiasis in a long-term care setting in which transmission was likely attributable to workers and/or environmental contamination.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The source of Strongyloides remains unknown; however, adherence to appropriate infection control practices may help to mitigate future outbreaks.</p>","PeriodicalId":7621,"journal":{"name":"American journal of infection control","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144232984","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}
Margaret M. Gilman MAS, CIC, FAPIC, Kathleen Kiesel MHA, MJ, BSN, RN, CPHRM
{"title":"NSQIP and NHSN: A Tale of Two Definitions","authors":"Margaret M. Gilman MAS, CIC, FAPIC, Kathleen Kiesel MHA, MJ, BSN, RN, CPHRM","doi":"10.1016/j.ajic.2025.03.102","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ajic.2025.03.102","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7621,"journal":{"name":"American journal of infection control","volume":"53 6","pages":"Page S38"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144184297","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}
Lauren C. Menodiado MPH, BSN, RN, CIC, Jennifer Walker MPH, CIC, Emma Dreiss ASCP
{"title":"Can You Escape the Room? Engaging Staff in Environment of Care","authors":"Lauren C. Menodiado MPH, BSN, RN, CIC, Jennifer Walker MPH, CIC, Emma Dreiss ASCP","doi":"10.1016/j.ajic.2025.03.081","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ajic.2025.03.081","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7621,"journal":{"name":"American journal of infection control","volume":"53 6","pages":"Page S29"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144184828","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}
Amber S. Beville MSN, RN, CIC, Max R. Habicht MPH, Jasper Lim MSN, RN, CCRN-CSC, Sangita Dash MD, Pamela Bailey DO, MPH
{"title":"Blood Culture Collection Process Analysis Drives Practice and Supply Standardization Efforts within a Healthcare System","authors":"Amber S. Beville MSN, RN, CIC, Max R. Habicht MPH, Jasper Lim MSN, RN, CCRN-CSC, Sangita Dash MD, Pamela Bailey DO, MPH","doi":"10.1016/j.ajic.2025.03.121","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.ajic.2025.03.121","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":7621,"journal":{"name":"American journal of infection control","volume":"53 6","pages":"Pages S45-S46"},"PeriodicalIF":3.8,"publicationDate":"2025-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144185037","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}