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AbstractBackground:Despite the increasing rates of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii(CRAB) carriage among hospitalized patients in endemic settings, the role of active surveillance cultures and cohorting is still debated. We sought to determine the long-term effect of a multifaceted infection-control intervention on the incidence of CRAB in an endemic setting.Methods:A prospective, quasi-experimental study was performed at a 670-bed, acute-care hospital. The study consisted of 4 phases. In phase I, basic infection control measures were used. In phase II, CRAB carriers were cohorted in a single ward with dedicated nursing and enhanced environmental cleaning. In phase III large-scale screening in high-risk units was implemented. Phase IV comprised a 15-month follow-up period.Results:During the baseline period, the mean incidence rate (IDR) of CRAB was 44 per 100,000 patient days (95% CI, 37.7–54.1). No significant decrease was observed during phase II (IDR, 40.8 per 100,000 patient days; 95% CI, 30.0–56.7; P= .97). During phase III, despite high compliance with control measures, ongoing transmission in several wards was observed and the mean IDR was 53.9 per 100,000 patient days (95% CI, 40.5–72.2; P= .55). In phase IV, following the implementation of large-scale screening, a significant decrease in the mean IDR was observed (25.8 per 100,000 patient days; 95% CI, 19.9–33.5; P= .03). An overall reduction of CRAB rate was observed between phase I and phase IV (rate ratio, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.4–0.9; P< .001).Conclusions:The comprehensive intervention that included intensified control measures with routine active screening cultures was effective in reducing the incidence of CRAB in an endemic hospital setting.

AbstractWe used Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to analyze 4 carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumanniioutbreaks. FTIR distinguished between isolates from different hospitals and uncovered the relatedness between isolates from acute-care hospitals and a post–acute-care hospital. Using higher cutoffs reveals more distant relationships and lower cutoffs support analyses of recent events.

AbstractBackground:In June 2018, the Ministry of Health received notification from 2 hospitals about 2 patients who presented with overwhelming Enterobacter kobeisepsis that developed within 24 hours after a dental procedure. We describe the investigation of this outbreak.Methods:The epidemiologic investigation included site visits in 2 dental clinics and interviews with all involved healthcare workers. Chart reviews were conducted for case and control subjects. Samples were taken from medications and antiseptics, environmental surfaces, dental water systems, and from the involved healthcare professionals. Isolate similarity was assessed using repetitive element sequence-based polymerase chain reaction (REP-PCR).Results:The 2 procedures were conducted in different dental clinics by different surgeons and dental technicians. A single anesthesiologist administered the systemic anesthetic in both cases. Cultures from medications, fluids and healthcare workers’ hands were negative, but E. kobeiwas detected from the anesthesiologist’s portable medication cart. The 2 human isolates and the environmental isolate shared the same REP-PCR fingerprinting profile. None of the 21 patients treated by the anesthesiologist in a general hospital during the same period, using the hospital’s medications, developed infection following surgery.Conclusions:An outbreak of post–dental-procedure sepsis was linked to a contaminated medication cart, emphasizing the importance of medication storage standards and strict aseptic technique when preparing intravenous drugs during anesthesia. Immediate reporting of sepsis following these outpatient procedures enabled early identification and termination of the outbreak.

AbstractObjective:Administration of antimicrobials to patients with asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) is a common error that can lead to worse outcomes. However, controlled analyses quantifying the commonality and impact of this practice are lacking. We analyzed the independent predictors for antimicrobials misuse in ASB and quantified the impact of this practice on clinical outcomes.Design:Retrospective case-control and cohort analyses for calendar year 2017.Setting:Tertiary-care, university-affiliated medical center.Patients:The study included adult (>18 years) patients with positive urine culture. Pregnant women, renal transplant recipients, and patients who underwent urologic procedures were excluded.Methods:ASB was determined according to US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria. Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to analyze predictors and outcomes associated with antimicrobial use for patients with ASB.Results:The study included 1,530 patient-unique positive urine cultures. Among these patients, 610 patients (40%) were determined to have ASB. Of the 696 isolates, 219 (36%) were multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). Also, 178 (29%) patients received antimicrobials specifically due to the ASB. Independent predictors for improper administration of antimicrobials were dependent functional status (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.3; 95% CI, 1.4–3.6) and male sex (aOR, 2; 95% CI, 1.25–2.6). Use of antimicrobials was independently associated with re-hospitalizations (aOR, 1.7; 95% CI, 1.1–2.6) and later, acute Clostridioides difficile infections (CDI) in the following 90 days (aOR, 4.5; 95% CI, 2–10.6).Conclusions:ASB is a common condition, frequently resulting from an MDRO. Male sex and poor functional status were independent predictors for mistreatment, and this practice was independently associated with rehospitalizations and CDI in the following 90 days.

AbstractBackground:Prevention of central-line–associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) represents a complex challenge for the teams involved in device insertion and maintenance. First-tier practices for CLABSI prevention are well established.Objective:We describe second-tier prevention practices in Israeli medical-surgical ICUs and assess their association with CLABSI rates.Methods:In June 2017, an online survey assessing infection prevention practices in general ICUs was sent to all Israeli acute-care hospitals. The survey comprised 14 prevention measures supplementary to the established measures that are standard of care for CLABSI prevention. These measures fall into 2 domains: technology and implementation. The association between the number of prevention measures and CLABSI rate during the first 6 months of 2017 was assessed using Spearman’s correlation. We used negative binomial regression to calculate the incidence rate ratio (IRR) associated with the overall number of prevention measures and with each measure individually.Results:The CLABSI rates in 24 general ICUs varied between 0.0 and 17.0 per 1,000 central-line days. Greater use of preventive measures was associated with lower CLABSI rates (ρ, –0.70; P < .001). For each additional measure, the incidence of CLABSI decreased by 19% (IRR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.73–0.89). Specific measures associated with lower rates were involvement of ward champions (IRR, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.31–0.71), auditing of insertions by infection control staff (IRR, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.19–0.64), and simulation-based training (IRR, 0.38; 95% CI, 0.22–0.64).Conclusion:Implementation of second-tier preventive practices was protective against CLABSI. Use of more practices was correlated with lower rates.

AbstractWe compared the yield of culturing various body sites to detect carriage of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii(CRAB). Culturing the skin using a premoistened sponge, with overnight enrichment and plating on CHROMagar MDR Acinetobacter, had the highest yield: 92%. Skin is satisfactory as a single site for active surveillance of CRAB.