Search

In recent years, it has become increasingly evident that surveillance metrics for invasive device-associated infections (ie, central-line-associated bloodstream infections, ventilator-associated pneumonias, and catheter-associated urinary tract infections) do not capture all harms; they capture only a subset of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Although prevention of device-associated infections remains critical, we need to address the full spectrum of potential harms from device use and non-device-associated infections. These include complications associated with additional devices, such as peripheral venous and arterial catheters, non-device-associated infections such as nonventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia, and noninfectious device complications such as trauma, thrombosis, and acute lung injury. As authors of the device-associated infection sections in the SHEA/IDSA/APIC Compendium of Strategies to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections in Acute Care Hospitals , we highlight catheter-associated urinary tract infection as an example of the strengths and limitations of the current emphasis on device-associated infection surveillance, suggest performance metrics that present a more comprehensive picture of patient harm, and provide a high-level overview of similar issues with other infection surveillance measures.

Since the initial publication of A Compendium of Strategies to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections in Acute Care Hospitals in 2008, the prevention of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) has continued to be a national priority. Progress in healthcare epidemiology, infection prevention, antimicrobial stewardship, and implementation science research has led to improvements in our understanding of effective strategies for HAI prevention. Despite these advances, HAIs continue to affect ∼1 of every 31 hospitalized patients, leading to substantial morbidity, mortality, and excess healthcare expenditures, and persistent gaps remain between what is recommended and what is practiced.The widespread impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on HAI outcomes in acute-care hospitals has further highlighted the essential role of infection prevention programs and the critical importance of prioritizing efforts that can be sustained even in the face of resource requirements from COVID-19 and future infectious diseases crises.The Compendium: 2022 Updates document provides acute-care hospitals with up-to-date, practical expert guidance to assist in prioritizing and implementing HAI prevention efforts. It is the product of a highly collaborative effort led by the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA), the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), the American Hospital Association (AHA), and The Joint Commission, with major contributions from representatives of organizations and societies with content expertise, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Pediatric Infectious Disease Society (PIDS), the Society for Critical Care Medicine (SCCM), the Society for Hospital Medicine (SHM), the Surgical Infection Society (SIS), and others.

Importance: Little is known about the contribution of hospital antibiotic prescribing to multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) burden in nursing homes (NHs)., Objectives: To characterize antibiotic exposures across the NH patient's health care continuum (preceding health care exposure and NH stay) and to investigate whether recent antibiotic exposure is associated with MDRO colonization and room environment contamination at NH study enrollment., Design, Setting, and Participants: This is a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study (conducted from 2013-2016) that enrolled NH patients and followed them up for as long as 6 months. The study was conducted in 6 NHs in Michigan among NH patients who were enrolled within 14 days of admission. Clinical metadata abstraction, multi-anatomical site screening, and room environment surveillance for MDROs were conducted at each study visit. Data were analyzed between May 2019 and November 2021., Exposures: Antibiotic data were abstracted from NH electronic medical records by trained research staff and characterized by class, route, indication, location of therapy initiation, risk for Clostridioides difficile infection (C diffogenic agents), and 2019 World Health Organization Access, Watch, and Reserve (AWARE) antibiotic stewardship framework categories., Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcomes were MDRO colonization and MDRO room environment contamination at NH study enrollment, measured using standard microbiology methods. Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify whether antibiotic exposure within 60 days was associated with MDRO burden at NH study enrollment. Additionally, antibiotic exposure data were characterized using descriptive statistics., Results: A total of 642 patients were included (mean [SD] age, 74.7 [12.2] years; 369 [57.5%] women; 402 [62.6%] White; median [IQR] NH days to enrollment, 6.0 [3.0-7.0]). Of these, 422 (65.7%) received 1191 antibiotic exposures: 368 (57.3%) received 971 hospital-associated prescriptions, and 119 (18.5%) received 198 NH-associated prescriptions. Overall, 283 patients (44.1%) received at least 1 C diffogenic agent, and 322 (50.2%) received at least 1 high-risk WHO AWARE antibiotic (watch or reserve agent). More than half of NH patients (364 [56.7%]) and room environments (437 [68.1%]) had MDRO-positive results at enrollment. In multivariable analysis, recent antibiotic exposure was positively associated with baseline MDRO colonization (odds ratio [OR], 1.70; 95% CI, 1.22-2.38) and MDRO environmental contamination (OR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.17-2.39). Exploratory stratification by C diffogenic agent exposure increased the effect size (MDRO colonization: OR, 1.99; 95% CI, 1.33-2.96; MDRO environmental contamination: OR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.24-2.79). Likewise, exploratory stratification by exposure to high-risk WHO AWARE antibiotics increased the effect size (MDRO colonization: OR, 2.32; 95% CI, 1.61-3.36; MDRO environmental contamination: OR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.26-2.75)., Conclusions and Relevance: The findings of this study suggest that high-risk, hospital-based antibiotics are a potentially high-value target to reduce MDROs in postacute care NHs. This study underscores the potential utility of integrated hospital and NH stewardship programming on regional MDRO epidemiology.

Importance: Health care-associated infection (HAI) is associated with substantial harm. To reduce HAI, the largest integrated health care system in the United States-the Veterans Health Administration-was an early adopter of infection prevention policies and initiatives. Whether these efforts translated into increased use of practices to prevent HAI in Veterans Affairs (VA) hospitals is unknown., Objective: To evaluate changes over time in infection prevention practices and the perception of the importance of infection prevention to hospital leadership., Design, Settings, and Participants: For this survey study, every 4 years between 2005 and 2017, infection preventionists were surveyed at all VA hospitals on use of practices associated with common HAIs, including central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI), catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), and (beginning in 2013) Clostridioides difficile infection. Data analysis was performed from February 1, 2019, to July 1, 2019., Main Outcomes and Measures: Reported regular use of key infection prevention practices and perceived importance of infection prevention to hospital leadership., Results: Between 2005 and 2017, 320 total surveys were completed with response rates ranging from 59% (73 of 124) in 2017 to 80% (95 of 119) in 2005. Use of 12 different infection prevention practices increased. Since 2013, 92% (69 of 75) to 100% of VA hospitals reported regular use of key infection prevention practices for C difficile infection and CLABSI. In contrast, adoption of many practices to prevent CAUTI, although increasing, have lagged. Despite reported increases in the use of some practices for VAP such as semirecumbent positioning (89% [79 of 89] in 2005 vs 97% [61 of 63] in 2017, P = .007 for trend) and subglottic secretion drainage (23% [19 of 84] in 2005 vs 65% [40 of 62] in 2017, P < .001), use of other key practices such as daily interruptions of sedation (85% [55 of 65] in 2009 vs 87% [54 of 62] in 2017, P = .66) and early mobilization (81% [52 of 64] in 2013 vs 82% [51 of 62] in 2017, P = .88) has not increased. Antibiotic stewardship programs are now reported in nearly every VA hospital (97% [71 of 73]); however, some hospitals report practices for microbiologic testing for HAIs (eg, 22% [16 of 72] report routine urine culture testing in 2017) that could also contribute to antibiotic overuse., Conclusions and Relevance: From 2005 to 2017, reported use of 12 different infection prevention practices increased in VA hospitals. Areas for continued improvement of infection prevention practices appear to include CAUTI, certain VAP practices, and diagnostic stewardship for HAI. The reported adoption of many infection prevention practices in VA hospitals was higher than in non-VA hospitals. As hospitals continue to merge and health systems become increasingly integrated, these successes could help inform patient safety broadly.

Background: Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) remains one of the most common causes of health care-associated infection (HAI)., Objective: To evaluate the effect of education and a tiered, evidence-based infection prevention strategy on rates of hospital-onset MRSA bloodstream infection (BSI)., Design: Prospective, national, nonrandomized, interventional, 12-month, multiple cohort, pre-post observational quality improvement project., Setting: Acute care, long-term acute care, and critical access hospitals with a disproportionate burden of HAI., Patients: All patients admitted to participating facilities during the project period., Intervention: A multimodal infection prevention intervention consisting of recommendations and tools for prioritizing and implementing evidence-based infection prevention strategies, on-demand educational videos, Internet-based live educational presentations, and access to content experts., Measurements: Rates of hospital-onset MRSA BSI, overall and stratified by hospital type, during 12-month baseline and postintervention periods. Variation in outcomes across hospital types was examined., Results: Between November 2016 and May 2018, 387 hospitals in 23 states and the District of Columbia participated, 353 (91%) submitted MRSA data, and 172 (49%) indicated that MRSA prevention was a priority. Unadjusted overall rates of hospital-onset MRSA BSI were 0.075 (95% CI, 0.065 to 0.085) and 0.071 (CI, 0.063 to 0.080) per 1000 patient-days in the baseline and postintervention periods, respectively., Limitations: The intervention period was short. Participation and adherence to recommended interventions were not fully assessed. Baseline rates of hospital-onset MRSA BSI were relatively low. Prevention of MRSA was a priority in a minority of participating hospitals. Patient characteristics and other MRSA risk factors were not assessed., Conclusion: In hospitals with a disproportionate burden of HAIs, access to tools to assist with implementation of evidence-based prevention strategies and education resources alone may not be sufficient to prevent MRSA BSI., Primary Funding Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Background: Central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) remains prevalent in hospitals in the United States., Objective: To evaluate the impact of a multimodal intervention in hospitals with elevated rates of health care-associated infection., Design: Pre-post observational evaluation of a prospective, national, clustered, nonrandomized initiative of 3 cohorts of hospitals., Setting: Acute care, long-term acute care, and critical access hospitals, including intensive care units and medical/surgical wards., Participants: Target hospitals had a cumulative attributable difference above the first tertile of performance for Clostridioides difficile infection and another health care-associated infection (such as CLABSI). Some hospitals that did not meet these criteria also participated., Intervention: A multimodal intervention consisting of recommendations and tools for prioritizing and implementing evidence-based infection prevention strategies, on-demand educational videos, webinars led by content experts, and access to content experts., Measurements: Rates of CLABSI and device utilization ratio pre- and postintervention., Results: Between November 2016 and May 2018, 387 hospitals in 23 states and the District of Columbia participated. Monthly preimplementation CLABSI rates ranged from 0 to 71.4 CLABSIs per 1000 catheter-days. Over the study period, the unadjusted CLABSI rate was low and decreased from 0.88 to 0.80 CLABSI per 1000 catheter-days. Between the pre- and postintervention periods, device utilization decreased from 24.05 to 22.07 central line-days per 100 patient-days. However, a decreasing trend in device utilization was also observed during the preintervention period., Limitations: The intervention period was brief. Participation in and adherence to recommended interventions were not fully assessed. Rates of CLABSI were low. Patient characteristics could not be assessed., Conclusion: In hospitals with a disproportionate burden of health care-associated infection, a multimodal intervention did not reduce rates of CLABSI., Primary Funding Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Background: Urinary tract-related bloodstream infection (BSI) is associated with substantial morbidity, mortality, and financial costs. We examined the role of red blood cell (RBC) transfusions on developing this condition among US Veterans., Methods: We conducted a matched case-control study among adult inpatients admitted to 4 Veterans Affairs hospitals. Cases were patients with a positive urine culture result obtained 48hours or longer after admission and a blood culture obtained within 14days of the urine culture, which grew the same organism. Controls included patients with a positive urine culture result who were at risk for but did not develop BSI (control group 1) and patients without a positive urine culture result who were present in the facility at the time of case diagnosis (control group 2)., Results: Compared with the findings in control group 1, receipt of RBCs was not significantly associated with urinary tract-related BSI (odds ratio, 1.03; 95% confidence interval, 1.00-1.07; P = .07). However, we found increased odds of urinary tract-related BSI compared with the results in patients without infection (control group 2) (odds ratio, 1.11; 95% confidence interval, 1.06-1.17; P < .001)., Conclusions: Given the heightened risk of urinary tract-related BSI associated with receiving a greater number of RBC transfusions, adhering to recommendations to transfuse the minimum amount of blood products necessary may minimize the risk of this infection among Veterans., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Intraoperative photography has the potential to raise costs and introduce possible contamination but is essential for documentation in plastic surgery. The authors evaluate their use of a waterproof camera immersed in povidone-iodine for taking intraoperative photographs in an efficient manner. A waterproof camera is immersed in povidone-iodine during surgery and photographs are taken as needed by the operating surgeon or assistant without a change of gloves. A retrospective chart review was performed, evaluating serious infections and the number of photographs taken per procedure in the years before and after the camera was used. Bacterial cultures were taken of three areas of the camera on 10 consecutive operating days and evaluated for growth. The number of serious infections did not change after the camera protocol was implemented. The mean number of photographs taken per case increased significantly with the use of this camera. All cultures of the camera were negative. The use of a waterproof camera immersed in povidone-iodine allows efficient and improved intraoperative photographic documentation by the surgeon. It does not appear to increase the risk of infection or introduce contamination.

Background: Hospital-acquired urinary tract-related bloodstream infections are rare but often lethal. Recent epidemiology of this condition among the United States veteran population is poorly described., Methods: We conducted a retrospective review of hospital-acquired urinary tract-related bloodstream infections of adult inpatients admitted to 4 Veterans Affairs hospitals over 15 years. Electronic medical records were used to obtain clinical, demographic, and microbiologic information. Descriptive statistical analyses were conducted using chi-square tests of association. Test for trend was performed by genus of organism and for case fatality rate over time., Results: While the most commonly isolated organisms were Staphylococcus spp. (36.5%), the incidence of infections caused by Escherichia and Klebsiella increased over time (P = .02 and P = .03, respectively). The overall in-hospital case fatality rate was 24.2% in 499 patients. The case fatality rate was 25.8% for patients with Staphylococcus infections and 20.7% for patients with enterococcal infections., Conclusions: Hospital-acquired urinary tract-related bloodstream infection is commonly due to Staphylococcus spp. and is related to the high fatality among United States veterans. Focused infection control efforts could decrease the incidence of this fatal infection., (Published by Elsevier Inc.)

We assessed multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) patient hand colonization in relation to the environment in post-acute care to determine risk factors for MDRO hand colonization. Patient hand colonization was significantly associated with environmental contamination. Risk factors for hand colonization included disability, urinary catheter, recent antibiotic use, and prolonged hospital stay. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:1110-1113.