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Residents of nursing homes (NHs) are susceptible to infection, and these facilities, particularly those that provide post-acute care services, are high-risk settings for the rapid spread of communicable respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses, as well as antibiotic-resistant bacteria. The complexity of medical care delivered in most NHs has increased dramatically over the past 2 decades; however, the structure and resources supporting the practice of infection prevention and control in these facilities has failed to keep pace. Rising numbers of infections caused by Clostridioides difficile and multidrug-resistant organisms, as well as the catastrophic effects of COVID-19 have pushed NH infection control resources to a breaking point. Recent changes to federal regulations require NHs to devote greater resources to the facility infection control program. However, additional changes are needed if sustained improvements in the prevention and control of infections and antibiotic resistance in NHs are to be achieved.

Infectious Disease (ID)–trained specialists, defined as ID pharmacists and ID physicians, improve hospital care by providing consultations to patients with complicated infections and by leading programs that monitor and improve antibiotic prescribing. However, many hospitals and nursing homes lack access to ID specialists. Telehealth is an effective tool to deliver ID specialist expertise to resource-limited settings. Telehealth services are most useful when they are adapted to meet the needs and resources of the local setting. In this step-by-step guide, we describe how a tailored telehealth program can be implemented to provide remote ID specialist support for direct patient consultation and to support local antibiotic stewardship activities. We outline 3 major phases of putting a telehealth program into effect: pre-implementation, implementation, and sustainment. To increase the likelihood of success, we recommend actively involving local leadership and other stakeholders in all aspects of developing, implementing, measuring, and refining programmatic activities.

Background Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the most common indication for antibiotic treatment in nursing homes (NHs) and are often treated empirically before culture results return. A previous study of uropathogens from NH residents in Georgia revealed high resistance to commonly used antibiotics, including ciprofloxacin. Here, we describe the distribution and key resistance patterns of uropathogens recovered from residents of NHs in Wisconsin, Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana. Methods Results of urinary cultures from NH residents performed between 2018 and 2019 were obtained from contracting microbiology laboratories. Culture results were de-identified by an honest broker. Urine culture data was standardized across laboratories and years using key collision and nearest neighbor clustering methods. Non-pathogenic isolates were excluded. The 5 most common isolates were identified and mean susceptibilities to antibiotics commonly used for empiric treatment of UTIs were examined. Data standardization and analysis were performed in Open Refine and R. Results There were 11,007 urine cultures obtained from 5,642 NH residents living in 67 NHs. A total of 4,398 potentially uropathogens were identified (avg. per NH = 66; range = 2-279). Escherichia coli (43.1%), Klebsiella spp. (14.6%), Proteus spp. (14.3%), Enterococcus spp. (9.5%), and Pseudomonas spp. (4.6%) were the most commonly identified uropathogens. Resistance rates for the majority of evaluated bug-drug combinations (9/14) exceeded 20% (Figure 1). Nitrofurantoin was the only antibiotic with a resistance rate < 20% for E. coli isolates. When resistance was assessed cumulatively across the top 5 organism, 48.5% of isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin and 21.3% of isolates were resistant to ceftriaxone (when excluding isolates with intrinsic resistance). Percentage of common urinary isolates resistant to most common antibiotics R denotes intrinsic resistance. Abbreviation: species pluralis = spp. Conclusion Consistent with a recent study conducted in Georgia NHs, high levels of resistance to commonly used antibiotics amongst uropathogens recovered from NH residents in four states were identified in the current study. These suggest a need for NH-specific UTI treatment guidelines and tools to support empiric antibiotic decision-making at the local facility level. Disclosures Robin L. Jump, MD, PhD, Merck: Grant/Research Support|Pfizer: Advisor/Consultant.

Background Daily use of chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) has been shown to reduce risk of healthcare-associated infections. We aimed to assess moving CHG bathing into routine practice using a human factors approach. We evaluated implementation in non-intensive care unit (ICU) settings in the Veterans Health Administration. Methods Our multiple case study approach included non-ICU units from 4 Veterans Health Administration settings. Guided by the Systems Engineering Initiative for Patient Safety, we conducted focus groups and interviews to capture barriers and facilitators to daily CHG bathing. We measured compliance using observations and skin CHG concentrations. Results Barriers to daily CHG include time, concern of increasing antibiotic resistance, workflow and product concerns. Facilitators include engagement of champions and unit shared responsibility. We found shortfalls in patient education, hand hygiene and CHG use on tubes and drains. CHG skin concentration levels were highest among patients from spinal cord injury units. These units applied antiseptic using 2% CHG impregnated wipes vs 4% CHG solution/soap. Discussion Non-ICUs implementing CHG bathing must consider human factors and work system barriers to ensure uptake and sustained practice change. Conclusions Well-planned rollouts and a unit culture promoting shared responsibility are key to compliance with daily CHG bathing. Successful implementation requires attention to staff education and measurement of compliance.

Workflows associated with health care delivery vary between settings, and understanding similarities and dissimilarities can inform context-sensitive practice change. Clinical workflows are complex...

Background Urine cultures are nonspecific and often lead to misdiagnosis of urinary tract infection and unnecessary antibiotics. Diagnostic stewardship is a set of procedures that modifies test ordering, processing, and reporting in order to optimize diagnosis and downstream treatment. In this study, we aimed to develop expert guidance on best practices for urine culture diagnostic stewardship. Methods A RAND-modified Delphi approach with a multidisciplinary expert panel was used to ascertain diagnostic stewardship best practices. Clinical questions to guide recommendations were grouped into three thematic areas (ordering, processing, reporting) in practice settings of emergency department, inpatient, ambulatory, and long-term care. Fifteen experts ranked recommendations on a 9-point Likert scale. Recommendations on which the panel did not reach agreement were discussed during a virtual meeting, then a second round of ranking by email was completed. After secondary review of results and panel discussion, a series of guidance statements was developed. Results One hundred and sixty-five questions were reviewed. The panel reaching agreement on 104, leading to 18 overarching guidance statements. The following strategies were recommended to optimize ordering urine cultures: requiring documentation of symptoms, sending alerts to discourage ordering in the absence of symptoms, and cancelling repeat cultures. For urine culture processing, conditional urine cultures and urine white blood cell count as criteria were supported. For urine culture reporting, appropriate practices included nudges to discourage treatment under specific conditions and selective reporting of antibiotics to guide therapy decisions. Conclusions These 18 guidance statements can optimize use of urine cultures for better patient outcomes.

Antibiotics are among the most common medications prescribed in nursing homes. The annual prevalence of antibiotic use in residents of nursing homes ranges from 47% to 79%, and more than half of antibiotic courses initiated in nursing-home settings are unnecessary or prescribed inappropriately (wrong drug, dose, or duration). Inappropriate antibiotic use is associated with a variety of negative consequences including Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), adverse drug effects, drug–drug interactions, and antimicrobial resistance. In response to this problem, public health authorities have called for efforts to improve the quality of antibiotic prescribing in nursing homes.

Objective:We examined Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) prevention practices and their relationship with hospital-onset healthcare facility-associated CDI rates (CDI rates) in Veterans Affairs (VA) acute-care facilities.Design:Cross-sectional study.Methods:From January 2017 to February 2017, we conducted an electronic survey of CDI prevention practices and hospital characteristics in the VA. We linked survey data with CDI rate data for the period January 2015 to December 2016. We stratified facilities according to whether their overall CDI rate per 10,000 bed days of care was above or below the national VA mean CDI rate. We examined whether specific CDI prevention practices were associated with an increased risk of a CDI rate above the national VA mean CDI rate.Results:All 126 facilities responded (100% response rate). Since implementing CDI prevention practices in July 2012, 60 of 123 facilities (49%) reported a decrease in CDI rates; 22 of 123 facilities (18%) reported an increase, and 41 of 123 (33%) reported no change. Facilities reporting an increase in the CDI rate (vs those reporting a decrease) after implementing prevention practices were 2.54 times more likely to have CDI rates that were above the national mean CDI rate. Whether a facility’s CDI rates were above or below the national mean CDI rate was not associated with self-reported cleaning practices, duration of contact precautions, availability of private rooms, or certification of infection preventionists in infection prevention.Conclusions:We found considerable variation in CDI rates. We were unable to identify which particular CDI prevention practices (i.e., bundle components) were associated with lower CDI rates.

OBJECTIVES To derive weighted-incidence syndromic combination antibiograms (WISCAs) in the skilled nursing facility (SNF). To compare burden of resistance between SNFs in a region and those with and without protocols designed to reduce inappropriate antibiotic use. DESIGN Retrospective analysis of microbial data from a regional laboratory. SETTING We analyzed 2484 isolates collected at a regional laboratory from a large mixed urban and suburban area from January 1, 2015, to December 31, 2015. PARTICIPANTS A total of 28 regional SNFs (rSNFs) and 7 in-network SNFs (iSNFs). MEASUREMENTS WISCAs were derived combining Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and reports restricted to fluoroquinolones, cefazolin, amoxicillin clavulanate, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. RESULTS Pooling the target isolates into WISCAs resulted in an average of 28 of 37 achieving a number greater than 30 with an average of 50 isolates (range = 11-113; >97% urinary). Significant differences were found in antibiotic susceptibility between grouped rSNF data and iSNF data of 75% vs 65% (2.76-11.77; P = .002). The susceptibilities were higher in iSNFs with active antibiotic reduction protocols compared with iSNFs without protocols and rSNFs (effect size = .79 vs .67 and .65, respectively) (I2 = 93.33; P

Objective:Alternatives to skin preparation with conventional preoperative antiseptics are required because of adverse reactions and the potential emergence of resistance. Here, we present 2 phase 2 studies of ZuraGard (ZG), a novel formulation of isopropyl alcohol and functional excipients developed for preoperative skin antisepsis.Methods:Microbial skin flora on abdominal and inguinal sites in healthy volunteers were quantitatively assessed following application of ZG versus a negative control (ZV) and a chlorhexidine/alcohol preparation, Chloraprep (CP). In trial 1, ZG administered for both recommended and abbreviated application times was compared with CP and ZV via bacterial reductions at 10 minutes, and 6 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours following application. In trial 2, the 10-minute postapplication responder rates (RRs) for ZG, participants with abdominal ≥2 log10 per cm2, and inguinal ≥3 log10 per cm2 reductions in colony-forming units (CFU) were compared to RRs of participants treated with CP.Results:In trial 1, ZG at the recommended application time reduced mean bacterial counts by ~3.18 log10 CFU/cm2 and ~2.98 log10 CFU/cm2 at abdominal and inguinal sites, respectively. Qualitatively similar reductions were observed for the abbreviated ZG application time and all CP applications. Application of ZV was ineffective. In trial 2, 10-minute RRs for ZG and CP exceeded 90% at abdominal sites. At inguinal sites, RRs were 83.3% for ZG and 86.7% for CP. No skin irritation or other adverse events were observed.Conclusions:ZG matched CP efficacy under these experimental conditions with immediate and persistent microbial reductions, including abbreviated application times. Further clinical studies of this novel preoperative antiseptic are merited.

Starting in 2016, we initiated a pilot tele-antibiotic stewardship program at 2 rural Veterans Affairs medical centers (VAMCs). Antibiotic days of therapy decreased significantly (P

Background:Measuring the appropriateness of antibiotic prescribing in nursing homes remains a challenge. The revised McGeer criteria, which are widely used to conduct infection surveillance in nursing homes, were not designed to assess antibiotic appropriateness. The Loeb criteria were explicitly designed for this purpose but are infrequently used outside investigational studies. The extent to which the revised McGeer and Loeb criteria overlap and can be used interchangeably for tracking antibiotic appropriateness in nursing homes remains insufficiently studied.Methods:We conducted a cross-sectional chart review study in 5 Wisconsin nursing homes and applied the revised McGeer and Loeb criteria to all nursing home–initiated antibiotic treatment courses. Kappa (κ) statistics were employed to assess level of agreement overall and by treatment indications.Results:Overall, 734 eligible antibiotic courses were initiated in participating nursing homes during the study period. Of 734 antibiotic courses, 372 (51%) satisfied the Loeb criteria, while only 211 (29%) of 734 satisfied the revised McGeer criteria. Only 169 (23%) of 734 antibiotic courses satisfied both criteria, and the overall level of agreement between them was fair (κ = 0.35). When stratified by infection type, levels of agreement between the revised McGeer and Loeb criteria were moderate for urinary tract infections (κ = 0.45), fair for skin and soft-tissue infections (0.36), and slight for respiratory tract infections (0.17).Conclusions:Agreement between the revised McGeer and Loeb criteria is limited, and nursing homes should employ the revised McGeer and Loeb criteria for their intended purposes. Studies to establish the best method for ongoing monitoring of antibiotic appropriateness in nursing homes are needed.

IMPORTANCE: Controlling antimicrobial resistance in health care is a public health priority, although data describing antimicrobial use in US nursing homes are limited. OBJECTIVE: To measure the prevalence of antimicrobial use and describe antimicrobial classes and common indications among nursing home residents. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Cross-sectional, 1-day point-prevalence surveys of antimicrobial use performed between April 2017 and October 2017, last survey date October 31, 2017, and including 15 276 residents present on the survey date in 161 randomly selected nursing homes from selected counties of 10 Emerging Infections Program (EIP) states. EIP staff reviewed nursing home records to collect data on characteristics of residents and antimicrobials administered at the time of the survey. Nursing home characteristics were obtained from nursing home staff and the Nursing Home Compare website. EXPOSURES: Residence in one of the participating nursing homes at the time of the survey. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Prevalence of antimicrobial use per 100 residents, defined as the number of residents receiving antimicrobial drugs at the time of the survey divided by the total number of surveyed residents. Multivariable logistic regression modeling of antimicrobial use and percentages of drugs within various classifications. RESULTS: Among 15 276 nursing home residents included in the study (mean [SD] age, 77.6 [13.7] years; 9475 [62%] women), complete prevalence data were available for 96.8%. The overall antimicrobial use prevalence was 8.2 per 100 residents (95% CI, 7.8-8.8). Antimicrobial use was more prevalent in residents admitted to the nursing home within 30 days before the survey date (18.8 per 100 residents; 95% CI, 17.4-20.3), with central venous catheters (62.8 per 100 residents; 95% CI, 56.9-68.3) or with indwelling urinary catheters (19.1 per 100 residents; 95% CI, 16.4-22.0). Antimicrobials were most often used to treat active infections (77% [95% CI, 74.8%-79.2%]) and primarily for urinary tract infections (28.1% [95% CI, 15.5%-30.7%]). While 18.2% (95% CI, 16.1%-20.1%) were for medical prophylaxis, most often use was for the urinary tract (40.8% [95% CI, 34.8%-47.1%]). Fluoroquinolones were the most common antimicrobial class (12.9% [95% CI, 11.3%-14.8%]), and 33.1% (95% CI, 30.7%-35.6%) of antimicrobials used were broad-spectrum antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: In this cross-sectional survey of a cohort of US nursing homes in 2017, prevalence of antimicrobial use was 8.2 per 100 residents. This study provides information on the patterns of antimicrobial use among these nursing home residents.

Background Little is known about how providers choose antibiotics for nursing home residents when concerned about urinary tract infections. To better assess this in a simulated setting, we used a mixed-methods approach to develop robust clinical vignettes. Methods First, we developed 7 vignettes and distributed them to resident physicians as a survey, randomizing participants’ response type to rank-order or free-text entry. Second, we shared 5 vignettes with nursing home prescribers and conducted semi-structured interviews that asked providers to explain their thinking out loud (Think Aloud structure). Interviews were continued until content saturation was achieved. Two authors (LT & RJ) determined appropriateness of decisions about antibiotic initiation and antibiotic choice; two authors (LT & JI) coded feedback on the vignettes with adjudication by a third (RJ). Results Of 23 residents (11 rank-choice; 12 free-response) that participated in the pilot survey, only 6 (26%) completed 7 vignettes, with a mean completion of 69.4%. Completion of all vignettes was similar between groups, however, greater attrition at the first question was observed in respondents randomized to rank-choice (4/11) compared to free-response (6/12). Of the original 7 vignettes, 5 free-response cases were chosen for further development. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 7 nursing home prescribers, 4 of whom were physicians. The prescribers had a median age 39 (range 34 to 54) and a median of 10 years of post-graduation experience. Figure 1 summarizes appropriateness of respondents’ answers regarding antibiotic initiation and antibiotic choice. The most common inappropriate choice was a fluoroquinolone. Vignettes were edited iteratively based on participant feedback on each case’s realistic characteristics, missing necessary clinical data, formatting changes, and clarity (Figure 2). Figure 1. Appropriateness of antibiotic initiation and antibiotic choice per clinical vignette. Figure 2. Example of vignette editing process based on Think Aloud interview responses Conclusion This mixed-methods approach effectively captured prescribers’ feedback about length, response method, and case characteristics for our clinical vignettes. Responses assessed differences in prescribers’ decision to initiate antibiotic treatment and antibiotic choice. The refined vignettes will be used in a national survey. Disclosures Robin L. Jump, MD, PhD, Pfizer (Individual(s) Involved: Self): Consultant

Objective To determine the impact of an educational quality improvement initiative on the appropriateness of antibiotic prescribing restricted to uncomplicated cystitis in older noncatheterized nursing home residents. Design Quality improvement study with randomized assignment. Settings and Participants Twenty-five nursing homes in United States were randomized to the intervention or usual care group by strata that included state, urban/rural status, bed size, and geographic separation. Methods A 12-month trial of a low-intensity multifaceted antimicrobial stewardship intervention focused on uncomplicated cystitis in nursing home residents vs usual care. The outcome was the modified Medication Appropriateness Index as assessed by a blinded geriatric clinical pharmacist and consisted of an assessment of antibiotic effectiveness, dosage, drug-drug interactions, and duration. Results There were 75 cases (0.15/1000 resident days) in intervention and 92 (0.22/1000 resident days) in control groups with a probable cystitis per consensus guidelines. Compared with controls, there was a statistically nonsignificant 21% reduction in the risk of inappropriate antibiotic prescribing (nonzero Medication Appropriateness Index score rate 0.13 vs 0.21/1000 person days; adjusted incident rate ratio 0.79; 95% confidence interval 0.45‒1.38). There was a favorable comparison in inappropriateness of duration (77% vs 89% for intervention vs control groups, respectively; P = .0394). However, the intervention group had more problems with drug-drug interactions than the control group (8% vs 1%, respectively; P = .0463). Similarly, the intervention group had a nonsignificant trend toward more problems with dosage (primarily because of the lack of adjustment for decreased renal function) than the control group (32% vs 25%, respectively; P = .3170). Both groups had similar rates of problems with choice/effectiveness (44% vs 45%; P = .9417). The most common class of antibiotics prescribed inappropriately was quinolones (25% vs 23% for intervention versus control groups, respectively; P = .7057). Conclusions and Implications A low-intensity intervention showed a trend toward improved appropriate antibiotic prescribing in nursing home residents with likely uncomplicated cystitis. Efforts to improve antibiotic prescribing in addition to the low-intensity intervention might include a consultant pharmacist in a nursing home to identify inappropriate prescribing practices.

Background:Antibiotic overuse and misuse is a common problem in nursing homes. Antibiotic time-out (ATO) interventions have led to improvements in antibiotic uses in hospitals, but their impact in nursing homes remain understudied.Objective:To evaluate the impact of a stewardship intervention, promoting use of ATOs on the frequency and types of antibiotic change events (ACEs) in nursing homes.Design:Controlled before-and-after intervention study.Setting:Nursing homes in Wisconsin and Pennsylvania.Method:Data on antibiotic prescriptions in 11 nursing homes were collected for 25 months. We categorized ACEs as (1) early discontinuation, (2) class modification, or (3) administration modification. Class modification ACEs were further classified based on whether the change narrowed, expanded, or had no effect on bacterial spectrum coverage. Analyses were performed using a difference-in-difference (DiD) approach.Result:Of 2,647 antibiotic events initiated in study nursing homes, 376 (14.2%) were associated with an ACE. The overall proportion of ACEs did not significantly differ between intervention and control nursing homes. Early discontinuation ACEs increased in intervention nursing homes (DiD, 2.5%; P = .01), primarily affecting residents initiated on broad-spectrum antibiotics (DiD, 2.9%; P < .01). Class modification ACEs decreased in intervention nursing homes but remained unchanged in control nursing homes.Conclusion:The impact of an ATO intervention in study nursing homes was mixed with increases in early discontinuation ACEs offset by reductions in class modification ACEs. More research on the potential value of ATO interventions in nursing homes is warranted.

Objective To establish consensus recommendations for empirical treatment of uncomplicated cystitis with anti-infectives in noncatheterized older nursing home residents to be implemented in the Improving Outcomes of UTI Management in Long-Term Care Project (IOU) funded by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. Design Two-round modified Delphi survey. Participants Expert panel of 19 clinical pharmacists. Measurements Comprehensive literature search and development/review/edit of draft survey by the investigative group (one geriatric clinical pharmacist, two geriatric medicine physicians, and one infectious disease physician). The expert panel members rated their agreement with each of 31 recommendations for drugs of choice, dosing medications at various levels of renal function, drug-drug interactions to avoid, and duration of therapy by sex on a 5-point Likert scale (1 = strongly disagree to 5 = strongly agree). Consensus agreement was defined as a lower 95% confidence limit of 4.0 or higher for the recommendation-specific mean score. Results The response rate was 95% for the first round, and three recommendations achieved consensus (dosing for nitrofurantoin and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole in those without chronic kidney disease, and drug-drug interaction between trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole and warfarin). In the second round, 90% responded and reached consensus on an additional eight recommendations (two for nitrofurantoin or trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole as initial drugs of choice, three for dosing ciprofloxacin, nitrofurantoin, and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole at various levels of chronic kidney disease, and three drug-drug interactions to avoid: trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole with phenytoin and ciprofloxacin with theophylline or with tizanidine). Conclusion An expert panel of clinical pharmacists was able to reach consensus on a set of recommendations for the empirical treatment of cystitis with oral anti-infective medications in older nursing home residents. The recommendations were incorporated into a treatment algorithm for uncomplicated cystitis in noncatheterized nursing home residents and used in educational materials for health professionals in an ongoing controlled intervention study. J Am Geriatr Soc 67:539-545, 2019.

ObjectiveTo test the feasibility of using telehealth to support antimicrobial stewardship at Veterans Affairs medical centers (VAMCs) that have limited access to infectious disease-trained specialists.DesignA prospective quasi-experimental pilot study.SettingTwo rural VAMCs with acute-care and long-term care units.InterventionAt each intervention site, medical providers, pharmacists, infection preventionists, staff nurses, and off-site infectious disease physicians formed a videoconference antimicrobial stewardship team (VAST) that met weekly to discuss cases and antimicrobial stewardship-related education.MethodsDescriptive measures included fidelity of implementation, number of cases discussed, infectious syndromes, types of recommendations, and acceptance rate of recommendations made by the VAST. Qualitative results stemmed from semi-structured interviews with VAST participants at the intervention sites.ResultsEach site adapted the VAST to suit their local needs. On average, sites A and B discussed 3.5 and 3.1 cases per session, respectively. At site A, 98 of 140 cases (70%) were from the acute-care units; at site B, 59 of 119 cases (50%) were from the acute-care units. The most common clinical syndrome discussed was pneumonia or respiratory syndrome (41% and 35% for sites A and B, respectively). Providers implemented most VAST recommendations, with an acceptance rate of 73% (186 of 256 recommendations) and 65% (99 of 153 recommendations) at sites A and B, respectively. Qualitative results based on 24 interviews revealed that participants valued the multidisciplinary aspects of the VAST sessions and felt that it improved their antimicrobial stewardship efforts and patient care.ConclusionsThis pilot study has successfully demonstrated the feasibility of using telehealth to support antimicrobial stewardship at rural VAMCs with limited access to local infectious disease expertise.

OBJECTIVETo directly observe healthcare workers in a nursing home setting to measure frequency and duration of resident contact and infection prevention behavior as a factor of isolation practiceDESIGNObservational studySETTING AND PARTICIPANTSHealthcare workers in 8 VA nursing homes in Florida, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Washington, and TexasMETHODSOver a 15-month period, trained research staff without clinical responsibilities on the units observed nursing home resident room activity for 15–30-minute intervals. Observers recorded time of entry and exit, isolation status, visitor type (staff, visitor, etc), hand hygiene, use of gloves and gowns, and activities performed in the room when visible.RESULTSA total of 999 hours of observation were conducted across 8 VA nursing homes during which 4,325 visits were observed. Residents in isolation received an average of 4.73 visits per hour of observation compared with 4.21 for nonisolation residents (PPP=.79) on entry and 66% versus 55% (PCONCLUSIONSHealthcare workers visited residents in isolation more frequently, likely because they required greater assistance. Compliance with gowns and gloves for isolation was limited in the nursing home setting. Adherence to hand hygiene also was less than optimal, regardless of isolation status of residents.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2018;39:683–687

Background Half of all urinary tract infections (UTI) are probably unnecessary. We conducted a cluster-randomized trial in which a toolkit to enhance the diagnosis and treatment of UTIs was introduced in study NHs via usual implementation versus an enhanced implementation approach based on external facilitation and peer comparison reporting. Methods Thirty Wisconsin NHs were randomized to each treatment arm in a 1.5:1 ratio. NHs used an online portal to report urine culture and antibiotic treatment data over a 6-month pre-intervention period (Jan-June 2019), a pre-COVID 8-month post intervention period (July 2019-Feb 2020) and an 8-month post-COVID intervention period (Mar-Oct 2020). Study outcomes included urine culture (UC), antibiotic start (AS), and antibiotic days of therapy (DOT) rates per 1,000 resident days. A generalized estimating equation model for panel data was used to assess differences in study outcomes between treatment arms before and after onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. STATA 16.1 was used for all analyses. Results A total of 802 UCs (457 pre-COVID, 345 post-COVID), 724 AS (401 pre-COVID, 323 post-COVID), and 6,454 DOT (3553 pre-COVID and 2901 post-COVID) were reported over the 16-month intervention period. No significant differences in the study outcomes were observed during the pre-COVID intervention period, however, UC rates in NHs assigned to the usual care arm of the study increased while those in the enhanced arm declined following onset of COVID-19 (Figure 1). AS and DOT rates followed a similar pattern although the differences between the study arms were not statistically significant. Figure 1. Post Implementation Periods Conclusion Our findings suggest that NHs assigned to usual implementation regressed in their diagnosis and treatment of UTIs during the COVID-19 pandemic while those receiving external facilitation and peer comparison reports were more resilient to the effects of COVID-19. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

OBJECTIVETo describe the investigation and control of a cluster ofSerratia marcescensbacteremia in a 505-bed tertiary-care center.METHODSCluster cases were defined as all patients withS. marcescensbacteremia between March 2 and April 7, 2014, who were found to have identical or related blood isolates determined by molecular typing with pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Cases were compared using bivariate analysis with controls admitted at the same time and to the same service as the cases, in a 4:1 ratio.RESULTSIn total, 6 patients developedS. marcescensbacteremia within 48 hours after admission within the above period. Of these, 5 patients had identicalSerratiaisolates determined by molecular typing, and were included in a case-control study. Exposure to the post-anesthesia care unit was a risk factor identified in bivariate analysis. Evidence of tampered opioid-containing syringes on several hospital units was discovered soon after the initial cluster case presented, and a full narcotic diversion investigation was conducted. A nurse working in the post-anesthesia care unit was identified as the employee responsible for the drug diversion and was epidemiologically linked to all 5 patients in the cluster. No further cases were identified once the implicated employee’s job was terminated.CONCLUSIONIllicit drug use by healthcare workers remains an important mechanism for the development of bloodstream infections in hospitalized patients. Active mechanisms and systems should remain in place to prevent, detect, and control narcotic drug diversions and associated patient harm in the healthcare setting.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol2017;38:1027–1031

Diabetic foot ulcers are associated with an increased risk of death. We evaluated whether ulcer severity at presentation predicts mortality.Patients from a national, retrospective, cohort of veterans with type 2 diabetes who developed incident diabetic foot ulcers between January 1, 2006 and September 1, 2010, were followed until death or the end of the study period, January 1, 2012. Ulcers were characterized as early stage, osteomyelitis, or gangrene at presentation. Cox proportional hazard regression identified independent predictors of death, controlling for comorbidities, laboratory parameters, and healthcare utilization.66,323 veterans were included in the cohort and followed for a mean of 27.7months: 1-, 2-, and 5-year survival rates were 80.80%, 69.01% and 28.64%, respectively. Compared to early stage ulcers, gangrene was associated with an increased risk of mortality (HR 1.70, 95% CI 1.57-1.83, p0.001). The magnitude of this effect was greater than diagnosed vascular disease, i.e., coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease, or stroke.Initial diabetic foot ulcer severity is a more significant predictor of subsequent mortality than coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease, or stroke. Unrecognized or under-estimated vascular disease and/or sepsis secondary to gangrene should be explored as possible causal explanations.

Background Determining eligibility for intravenous (IV) to oral (PO) antibiotic conversion is challenging in patients transitioning to nursing homes (NHs) due to atypical infection presentation, increased diagnostic uncertainty, and multimorbidity. Understanding current practice and patient characteristics influencing prescriber behavior is necessary to provide effective antibiotic stewardship in this vulnerable population. We compared the frequency and characteristics of patients discharged with IV antibiotics to those switched from IV to PO therapy. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of Oregon Health & Science University Hospital patients treated with IV antibiotics and discharged to a NH from 1/1/2016-12/31/2018. We focused on IV to PO antibiotic switch within 48 hours of discharge. Using a repository of electronic health record data, we collected patient demographic, diagnosis, length of stay, and treatment duration data. Results Among 2,410 patients discharged to a NH on antibiotics, 1,483 (61.5%) received an IV antibiotic within 48 hours of discharge. IV to PO switch occurred in 46.7% of patients prior to discharge, and these patients had fewer baseline comorbidities (Table 1). Of those continuing IV antibiotics, 96.1% were prescribed a different PO medication at discharge indicating potential to take PO medications. Cephalosporins (45%) and penicillins (22%) were the most commonly prescribed IV antibiotics, with IV to PO conversion rates of 26% and 46%, respectively. The median (interquartile range) outpatient duration of therapy was 21 (12–33) days for IV antibiotics and 7 (4–10) days for PO antibiotics. Osteomyelitis diagnosis was more frequent among IV therapy patients; pneumonia and urinary tract infections were more frequent in IV to PO switch patients. IV to PO switch patients were less likely to experience a hospital stay > 7 days or receive an infectious disease consult (p < 0.001). Table 1. Comparison of Patient and Treatment Characteristics among IV and Oral Antibiotic Prescriptions on Discharge Conclusion The proportion of patients discharged to a NH on IV antibiotics remains high, even among patients able to tolerate PO medication. Continuing IV therapy was associated with longer treatment durations, hospital stays, and broad spectrum regimens, while patients with IV to PO switch had a higher comorbidity burden at baseline. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Background Nursing home (NH) residents are at increased risk of being prescribed antibiotic for extended durations and experiencing antibiotic-associated adverse events. However, many of these antibiotics are prescribed in the hospital prior to NH admission. We quantified the frequency, characteristics and outcomes of patients receiving antibiotic treatment in the hospital and discharged to NHs with an antibiotic prescription for greater than 7 days. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of adult (age >18 years) patients with a prescription for an antibiotic on discharge from Oregon Health & Science University Hospital (OHSU) to a NH between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2018. Study data were collected from an electronic repository of patients’ electronic health record data. Outcomes of interest included having an emergency department (ED) visit, inpatient hospital admission, or inpatient admission for Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) at the index facility within 30 days of discharge. Results Among 2969 antibiotic prescriptions on discharge, 1267 (42.7%) were prescribed for greater than 7 days to a total of 1059 patients. A diagnosis of a bacterial infection was present for 902 (85.2%) patients. The most frequent diagnoses were bloodstream/endocarditis (21.8%), osteomyelitis (11.6%), and skin and soft tissue infections (10.6%). The most frequently prescribed antibiotics were cephalosporins (24.2%), penicillins (14.1%), glycopeptides (12.9%), and fluoroquinolones (12.6%). Of the 1059 identified patients, 126 (11.9%) had an ED visit, 216 (20.4%) inpatient admission, and 16 (1.5%) had an admission for CDI within 30 days of discharge. Conclusion More than 40% of antibiotic prescriptions on discharge to a NH were for greater than 7 days. This frequency and associated poor outcomes suggest extended antibiotic duration are a high-value target to improve antibiotic prescribing on discharge to NHs. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Background Knowledge about antibiotic utilization in Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs) is limited. Studies have primarily focused on aggregate prescribing patterns, clinical indications for antibiotics, and the types of antibiotics prescribed. Information about individual resident prescribing patterns is limited. This project addresses the gap by using data from a convenient sample of ALFs. Methods Data on antibiotic prescriptions from 3 ALFs in Wisconsin were collected for a one-year period. Information included start and stop dates, clinical indication, and antibiotic prescribed. Antibiotic orders for the same resident were categorized as distinct events to capture treatment courses if 1) the days between the end date of the prior antibiotic and the initiation date of subsequent antibiotic orders were > 4 days, or 2) if the identified indications for the prior and subsequent antibiotic were different. Event-level indication was further defined based on (2). Descriptive statistics were used to understand antibiotic prescribing patterns at the individual and event level. Results A total of 207 antibiotic events among 110 assisted-living residents were identified. The patterns of antibiotic use at the resident and treatment course levels are described in tables 1 and 2, respectively. On average, each resident was received 1.9 (range:1 to 10) antibiotic treatment courses for an average of 24.8 (range: 1 to 237) total antibiotic days. The treatment duration of each treatment course averaged 14.5 days (range: 1 to 306). About 10 % of residents had 4 or more antibiotic events and days of therapy over 56 days. 43% of residents were prescribed an antibiotic without a clinical indication and 26% of the antibiotic events were not indicated. UTI was the most common indication for antibiotic treatment (31%) and ciprofloxacin was the most commonly prescribed antibiotic (22%). Conclusion The current study demonstrates multiple opportunities to improve antibiotic use in ALFs, including: 1) specification of indication for the antibiotic; 2) reducing unnecessary antibiotic treatments; 3) shortening durations of treatments; and 4) reducing use of broad-spectrum antibiotics. Studies on interventions that target these areas are needed. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Objectives Antibiotic overuse is a significant problem in nursing homes (NHs). Strategies to improve antibiotic prescribing practices in NHs are a critical need. In this study, we analyzed antibiotic prescribing workflows to identify strategies for improving antibiotic prescribing in NHs. Design Qualitative descriptive study using prospective field-based assessment of workflows. Setting Six NHs in Wisconsin (n = 3) and Pennsylvania (n = 3). Participants A total of 44 interviews with 68 NH professionals, including leadership, nurses, and prescribers. Measurements During a 1-day field visit in each NH, we conducted semistructured interviews with NH professionals, collected artifacts (policies, procedures, and documentation and communication tools), and observed clinical meetings. Study participants were interviewed (30-60 minutes) about antibiotic prescribing workflows in their facility. Information collected during site visits was used to create a representative workflow map of NH antibiotic prescribing. The workflow map guided thematic analysis to identify barriers corresponding to workflow steps across multiple NHs. Results The representative antibiotic preprescribing workflow map included 17 steps, beginning with resident change in condition and ending with the decision to prescribe an antibiotic. Thematic analysis identified common step-specific barriers to antibiotic stewardship centering on three themes: (A) information barriers, comprising (A1) inconsistent nurse assessment report and (A2) misalignment between the work and tools of information sharing within the facility, (B) communication barriers, comprising (B1) mismatched perception of prescriber information needs and (B2) difficulty reaching prescribers for direct interaction, and (C) professional barriers, comprising (C1) low prescriber confidence in nurse assessment report and (C2) nurse reluctance to express their professional opinions. Conclusion Strategies addressing workflow barriers are important targets for antibiotic stewardship. Such strategies include structured information tools, nurse and prescriber education, and organizational improvement. Future research can build on combinations of existing and new strategies to measure their effects in improving antibiotic prescribing. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:2222-2231, 2020.

Our stewardship team evaluated 19 months of discharge antibiotic prescriptions to determine prescribing appropriateness and to characterize the interventions made. Intervention occurred in 9.7% of patients, with a 58% acceptance rate. Most interventions were educational (antibiotic course was complete at time of intervention). Discharge antibiotic review is a potential stewardship tool.

Objective:To describe urinary tract infection (UTI) treatment among Veterans’ Affairs (VA) Community Living Centers (CLCs) nationally and to assess related trends in antibiotic use.Design:Descriptive study.Setting and participants:All UTI episodes treated from 2013 through 2017 among residents in 110 VA CLCs. UTI episodes required collection of a urine culture, antibiotic treatment, and a UTI diagnosis code. UTI episodes were stratified into culture-positive and culture-negative episodes.Methods:Frequency and rate of antibiotic use were assessed for all UTI episodes overall and were stratified by culture-positive and culture-negative episodes. Joinpoint software was used for regression analyses of trends over time.Results:We identified 28,247 UTI episodes in 14,983 Veterans. The average age of Veterans was 75.7 years, and 95.9% were male. Approximately half of UTI episodes (45.7%) were culture positive and 25.7% were culture negative. Escherichia coli was recovered in 34.1% of culture-positive UTI episodes, followed by Proteus mirabilis and Klebsiella spp, which were recovered in 24.5% and 17.4% of culture-positive UTI episodes, respectively. The rate of total antibiotic use in days of therapy (DOT) per 1,000 bed days decreased by 10.1% per year (95% CI, −13.6% to −6.5%) and fluoroquinolone use (ciprofloxacin or levofloxacin) decreased by 14.5% per year (95% CI, −20.6% to −7.8%) among UTI episodes overall. Similar reductions in rates of total antibiotic use and fluoroquinolone use were observed among culture-positive UTI episodes and among culture-negative UTI episodes.Conclusion:Over a 5-year period, antibiotic use for UTIs significantly decreased among VA CLCs, as did use of fluoroquinolones. Antibiotic stewardship efforts across VA CLCs should be applauded, and these efforts should continue.

Inappropriate antibiotic use is common in older adults (aged >65 y), and they are particularly vulnerable to serious antibiotic-associated adverse effects such as cardiac arrhythmias, delirium, aortic dissection, drug-drug interactions, and Clostridioides difficile. Antibiotic prescribing improvement efforts in older adults have been primarily focused on inpatient and long-term care settings. However, the ambulatory care setting is where the vast majority of antibiotic prescribing to older adults occurs. To help improve the clinical care of older adults, we review drivers of antibiotic prescribing in this population, explore systems aspects of ambulatory care that can create barriers to optimal antibiotic use, discuss existing stewardship interventions, and provide guidance on priority areas for future inquiry. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:244-249, 2020.

OBJECTIVEThe impact of healthcare system integration on infection prevention programs is unknown. Using catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) prevention as an example, we hypothesize that US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) nursing homes have a more robust infection prevention infrastructure due to integration and centralization compared with non–VA nursing homes.SETTINGVA and non-VA nursing homes participating in the AHRQ Safety Program for Long-Term Care collaborative.METHODSNursing homes provided baseline information about their infection prevention programs to assess strengths and gaps related to CAUTI prevention via a needs assessment questionnaire.RESULTSA total of 353 of 494 nursing homes from 41 states (71%; 47 VA and 306 non-VA facilities) responded. VA nursing homes reported more hours per week devoted to infection prevention-related activities (31 vs 12 hours; PPP=.014) and with nursing personnel (85% vs 56%, P=.003). However, fewer VA nursing homes reported having policies for appropriate catheter use (64% vs 81%; P=.004) and catheter insertion (83% vs 94%; P=.004).CONCLUSIONSAmong nursing homes participating in an AHRQ-funded collaborative, VA and non-VA nursing homes differed in their approach to CAUTI prevention. Best practices from both settings should be applied universally to create an optimal infection prevention program within emerging integrated healthcare systems.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:287–293

OBJECTIVETo identify Choosing Wisely items for the American Board of Internal Medicine Foundation.METHODSThe Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) elicited potential items from a hospital epidemiology listserv, SHEA committee members, and a SHEA–Infectious Diseases Society of America compendium with SHEA Research Network members ranking items by Delphi method voting. The SHEA Guidelines Committee reviewed the top 10 items for appropriateness for Choosing Wisely. Five final recommendations were approved via individual member vote by committees and the SHEA Board.RESULTSNinety-six items were proposed by 87 listserv members and 99 SHEA committee members. Top 40 items were ranked by 24 committee members and 64 of 226 SHEA Research Network members. The 5 final recommendations follow: 1. Don’t continue antibiotics beyond 72 hours in hospitalized patients unless patient has clear evidence of infection. 2. Avoid invasive devices (including central venous catheters, endotracheal tubes, and urinary catheters)and, if required, use no longer than necessary. They pose a major risk for infections. 3. Don’t perform urinalysis, urine culture, blood culture, or Clostridium difficile testing unless patients have signs or symptoms of infection. Tests can be falsely positive leading to overdiagnosis and overtreatment. 4. Do not use antibiotics in patients with recent C. difficile without convincing evidence of need. Antibiotics pose a high risk of C. difficile recurrence. 5. Don’t continue surgical prophylactic antibiotics after the patient has left the operating room. Five runner-up recommendations are included.CONCLUSIONSThese 5 SHEA Choosing Wisely and 5 runner-up items limit medical overuse.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;37:755–760

Background Fluoroquinolones (FQs) are frequently prescribed in nursing homes (NHs) despite concerns regarding broad spectrum antibiotic selective pressure, increased risk of Clostridioides difficile infection, and other adverse events. NH antibiotics are also frequently initiated in hospitals prior to NH admission. We quantified the frequency and outcomes of patients prescribed FQs on discharge from the hospital to NHs. Methods This was a retrospective cohort study of adult (age ≥ 18 years) inpatients prescribed a FQ on discharge from Oregon Health & Science University Hospital (OHSU) to a NH between 1/1/2016 and 12/31/2018. Study data were collected from a repository of electronic health record data. The outcome of interest was a composite of 30-day hospital readmission or emergency department (ED) visit to OHSU. Associations were quantified using odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results Among 9,546 patients discharged to a NH, 2,410 (25%) were prescribed at least one antibiotic and 423 (17.6%) were prescribed a FQ. Of these patients, 36.9% were age ≤ 65, 53% were male, 11.6% received a specialty infectious diseases consultation, 34.8% had a surgical diagnosis, and 49.7% had a hospital length of stay > 7 days. The most prevalent comorbidities were cancer (30.5%), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (29.6%), and renal disease (26%). The most prevalent FQs prescribed were ciprofloxacin (56.7%), levofloxacin (40.2%), and moxifloxacin (3.1%). Duration of NH therapy > 7 days occurred in 37.6% of patients. The most common infectious diagnoses were bloodstream infection and endocarditis (39%), pneumonia (17%), and urinary tract infection (14.2%). Of patients prescribed a FQ, 276 (65.3%) had an ED visit or hospital admission to index facility within 30 days of discharge. Patients who were ≤ 65 years old (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.4–3.5), male (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.1–2.5), had comorbid renal disease (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1–2.9), or osteomyelitis as infectious diagnosis (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.0–5.7) were more likely to have a 30-day ED visit or hospital admission. Conclusion Patients prescribed FQs on discharge to NHs frequently returned to the hospital for an ED visit or inpatient admission within 30 days of discharge. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Background Nursing homes (NHs) increasingly use antibiograms to track antibiotic-related outcomes and guide antibiotic choice. Creation of a facility-specific antibiogram is hampered by low number of cultures collected in NHs. A weighted-incidence syndromic combination antibiogram (WISCA) is an alternative approach that may provide more stable estimates of antibiotic activity. In this study, we compare traditional antibiograms and WISCAs in a sample of Wisconsin NHs. Methods We created urine-specific antibiograms using traditional and WISCA approaches at facility and regional levels using culture data collected in study NHs from 01/01/2018 – 12/31/2018. Susceptibility results were standardized across laboratories using CLSI breakpoints. Traditional antibiograms were deemed reliable when ≥ 20 isolates were recovered for at least one species and species exceeding this threshold comprised 75% of all isolates. WISCAs were deemed reliable if ≥ 20 urinary isolates were recovered. Bootstrapped regional mean susceptibilities and confidence intervals for traditional antibiograms and WISCAs were calculated. Susceptibilities calculated at the facility-level were compared to regional estimates. Facility-level susceptibility estimates were deemed concordant if within 1 SD, moderately discordant if between 1 and 2 SDs, and severely discordant if greater than 2 SDs of the regional estimate. Results 462 urine isolates were obtained from 23 NHs in 2 regions. None of the facility-specific traditional antibiograms met reliability criteria. 10 of 23 facility-specific WISCAs were reliable and increased to 19 of 23 when 2-years of microbiology data were utilized (table). Severe discordance between facility-specific and regional estimates was identified with 62/107 NH species-antibiotic means and 98/119 NH urine isolate-antibiotic means falling outside of 2 SD of corresponding bootstrap regional susceptibility means (figure). Table. Reliability analysis of facility-specific urinary WISCAs and traditional antibiograms. 2-year projection was created using the assumption of similar culture results over 2-years. Figure. Proportion of concordant, moderately discordant, and severely discordant NH mean susceptibilities in comparison to bootstrap regional mean susceptibilities for traditional antibiograms and WISCAs. NH mean susceptibilities from 5 isolates of more were included. Conclusion WISCAs are more reliable than traditional antibiograms for estimating antibiotic susceptibilities using facility-specific data. The high degree of discordance observed between facility-specific and regional antibiograms raises concerns about pooling culture data from multiple facilities. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Background: Suspicion of urinary tract infection (UTI) is the most common justification for prescribing antibiotics in nursing homes. More than half of antibiotic prescriptions for treatment of UTI in nursing homes are either unnecessary or inappropriate. Achieving a better understanding of the factors that underlie UTI treatment decisions is necessary to improve the quality of antibiotic prescribing in nursing homes. An ongoing hybrid type 2 effectiveness-implementation cluster randomized trial of a recently developed nursing home UTI recognition and management tool kit provided us with an opportunity to explore the influence of organizational, clinical, and staff attributes on UTI antibiotic prescribing practices in nursing homes. Methods: Data on antibiotic starts for suspected UTIs were collected in 29 nursing homes over a 9-month period. Antibiotic practices evaluated included total antibiotic starts per 1,000 resident days, % antibiotic starts with treatment duration >7 days, % antibiotic starts in which the initial antibiotic choice was a fluoroquinolone, and % antibiotic starts meeting UTI tool-kit criteria of appropriateness. Prior research and bivariate analyses were used to select clinical and organizational attributes as well as individual nursing staff-level retention rates for inclusion in a stepwise linear regression model for each antibiotic practice outcome. Results: In total, 602 UTI antibiotic events were evaluated. Four associations were identified for antibiotic starts including nursing home urine culture rate, ICP status, nonprofit and part-time LPN retention. Nursing homes with higher full-time LPN retention had a lower rate of antibiotic treatment duration >7 days. Full-time CNAs and part-time LPNs retention and for-profit status was associated with the proportion of fluoroquinolone antibiotic starts. No attributes influenced the proportion of antibiotic starts meeting appropriateness criteria (Fig. 1). Urine culture rates are driving overall nursing home antibiotic prescribing. Conclusions: Urine culture practices was strongly associated with UTI treatment rates in nursing homes. A variety of organizational characteristics were also associated with UTI treatment rates as well as other UTI antibiotic prescribing practices. Some of these associations appear paradoxical but may reflect increasing resident acuity and increased capacity to standardize practices through organizational centralization.Funding: Support for the project provided by the Wisconsin Partnership Program.Disclosures: None

Background: An antibiogram is a tool for tracking and reporting antimicrobial resistance; the CDC has endorsed as part of a comprehensive antimicrobial stewardship program in nursing homes. We have previously shown that antibiogram utilization has increased in nursing homes, but most facilities employ tools that are not based on facility-specific data. In this study, we investigate the feasibility to develop antibiograms using facility-specific data and compare these results with antibiograms developed using data from multiple facilities that share the same lab and geographic region. Methods: Raw, de-identified culture results from January 1 through December 31st, 2018 were collected from participating nursing homes and their consulting microbiology laboratories under an IRB-exempt protocol. Culture results were entered and stored in REDCap. Number of isolates per species was examined based on nursing home, nursing home laboratory network, and region. Percentage sensitivities of the most frequently isolated species to commonly used antibiotics were calculated at the nursing home and regional level and compared. T tests of the absolute difference between nursing home- and regional level percentage sensitivities were performed. All data analyses were performed in R software. Results: The mean annual cultures per nursing home was 23.5 (SE, ±3.29). Grouping cultures by lab and region increased the mean culture count 6-fold and 12-fold, respectively. The most commonly isolated species were Escherichia coli (29.7%), Enterococcus spp (11.6%), Proteus spp (10%), Klebsiella spp (8.5%). None of the nursing homes had >30 isolates of a single species (Fig. 1). Escherichia coli was the only species that exceeded the 30-isolate threshold when aggregated at the laboratory network level (Fig. 2). Grouping nursing home cultures by region provided the greatest average isolate count across the most common species. The greatest differences in percentage sensitivity between nursing homes and their region were noted for Escherichia coli and Proteus spp to fluoroquinolones (>20% difference; P < .01). The difference in sensitivity was Escherichia coli to nitrofurantoin. Conclusions: Nursing homes do not generate enough annual isolates to create antibiograms compliant with Clinical Laboratory Standard Institute guidelines. Grouping isolates from multiple nursing homes at the regional level does reliably exceed the 30-isolate threshold for multiple bacterial species but leads to susceptibility estimates that may vary substantially from those observed at the facility level. Alternative tools for tracking antibiotic resistance and guiding antibiotic prescribing decisions at the local level are needed.Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

IMPORTANCE: Urinary tract infections are the most common infections in nursing home residents. However, most antibiotic use is for unlikely cystitis (ie, nonspecific symptoms and positive culture results secondary to asymptomatic bacteriuria or a urine sample improperly collected for culture) that is unnecessary and inappropriate. This antibiotic use is associated with an increased risk of antimicrobial resistance, adverse drug events, and Clostridioides difficile (formerly Clostridium difficile) infections. OBJECTIVE: To determine the association of a multifaceted antimicrobial stewardship and quality improvement intervention with the reduction in unnecessary antimicrobial use for unlikely cystitis among noncatheterized nursing home residents. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A quality improvement intervention evaluation was conducted to target antimicrobial use among residents with unlikely cystitis in 25 nursing homes across the United States. Baseline data were collected between February 1, 2017, and April 30, 2017. The intervention was conducted from May 1, 2017, to April 30, 2018. INTERVENTIONS: Intervention nursing homes (n = 12) were randomized to receive a 1-hour introductory webinar, pocket-sized educational cards, tools for system change, and educational clinical vignettes addressing the diagnosis and treatment of suspected uncomplicated cystitis. Monthly web-based coaching calls were held for staff of intervention nursing homes. All facilities received quarterly feedback reports regarding the management of uncomplicated cystitis. Control group nursing homes (n = 13) received usual care. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: The primary outcome was the incidence of antibiotic treatment for unlikely cystitis cases, defined using published criteria. Secondary outcomes included overall antibiotic use for any urinary tract infection and the safety outcomes of C difficile infections, as well as all-cause hospitalizations and death. RESULTS: Among the 25 nursing homes participating in this quality improvement study, including 512 408 intervention facility resident-days and 443 912 control facility resident-days, fewer unlikely cystitis cases were treated with antibiotics in intervention facilities compared with control facilities (adjusted incident rate ratio [AIRR], 0.73 [95% CI, 0.59-0.91]); C difficile infection rates were also lower in intervention nursing homes vs control nursing homes (AIRR, 0.35 [95% CI, 0.19-0.64]). Overall antibiotic use for any type of urinary tract infection was 17% lower in the intervention facilities than the control facilities (AIRR, 0.83 [95% CI, 0.70-0.99]; P = .04). There was no increase in all-cause hospitalizations or deaths due to the intervention (all-cause hospitalizations: AIRR, 0.95 [95% CI, 0.75-1.19]; all-cause death: AIRR, 0.92 [95% CI, 0.73-1.16]). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: This study suggests that a low-intensity, multifaceted intervention was associated with improved antibiotic prescribing for uncomplicated cystitis in a cohort of nursing homes without an adverse association with other safety outcomes. Although promising, further study is needed to determine whether the intervention could be widely implemented to assist facilities in meeting new federal nursing home requirements for antimicrobial stewardship and quality assurance performance improvement programs.