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To limit introduction of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the United States restricted travel from China on February 2, 2020, and from Europe on March 13. To determine whether local transmission of SARS-CoV-2 could be detected, the New York City (NYC) Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) conducted deidentified sentinel surveillance at six NYC hospital emergency departments (EDs) during March 1-20. On March 8, while testing availability for SARS-CoV-2 was still limited, DOHMH announced sustained community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 (1). At this time, twenty-six NYC residents had confirmed COVID-19, and ED visits for influenza-like illness* increased, despite decreased influenza virus circulation.† The following week, on March 15, when only seven of the 56 (13%) patients with known exposure histories had exposure outside of NYC, the level of community SARS-CoV-2 transmission status was elevated from sustained community transmission to widespread community transmission (2). Through sentinel surveillance during March 1-20, DOHMH collected 544 specimens from patients with influenza-like symptoms (ILS)§ who had negative test results for influenza and, in some instances, other respiratory pathogens.¶ All 544 specimens were tested for SARS-CoV-2 at CDC; 36 (6.6%) tested positive. Using genetic sequencing, CDC determined that the sequences of most SARS-CoV-2-positive specimens resembled those circulating in Europe, suggesting probable introductions of SARS-CoV-2 from Europe, from other U.S. locations, and local introductions from within New York. These findings demonstrate that partnering with health care facilities and developing the systems needed for rapid implementation of sentinel surveillance, coupled with capacity for genetic sequencing before an outbreak, can help inform timely containment and mitigation strategies.

As schools attempt to address the needs of an ever more diverse student population, many have turned to intensive interventions to improve reading performance. Reading First grants from the United States Department of Education encouraged schools to implement evidence-based instructional practices in elementary schools. However, for many schools, implementation of Reading First and other intensive data-driven reading initiatives has not included students considered to have significant disabilities or has led to increased pull-out or separate remediation services. We consider how Reading First efforts can be integrated into a rich, inclusive education program for all students, including those considered to have the most significant disabilities. We discuss how schools can creatively utilize staff and scheduling to maximize push-in support and encourage interdisciplinary and data-driven problem solving to provide meaningful guidance for reading instruction for the benefit of all students.

Background: Blood cultures (BCs) are obtained to identify etiologic organisms, demonstrate antibiotic efficacy, determine duration of treatment, and/or suggest further interventions. Published guidelines do not clearly state indications and timing for obtaining BCs. As a result, clinicians may obtain too many BCs, increasing cost and patient discomfort. Objective: To determine frequency of BCs performed at our hospital as part of a quality improvement project. Design: Retrospective review of all BCs submitted during a randomly selected month. Setting: A New York City 535-bed, university-affiliated community hospital. Measurements: Patient demographics and BC data were obtained from medical and laboratory records. Results: During the selected month, 2280 BCs were performed for 379 patients. Negative BCs were seen in 221 patients (58%) with one-half having multiple BCs performed within 48 hours of admission and prior to obtaining results of initial BCs. Repeat BCs frequently did not reveal further pathogens among patients with either negative or positive initial BCs. Conclusions: Two-thirds of BCs were obtained from less than one-half of patients without added clinical utility. Often, BCs were repeated prior to results of initial BCs or repeated in patients receiving antibiotics in spite of known low yield following antibiotic initiation. Clinical assessment and review of initial BCs prior to obtaining further BCs is necessary. Staff education regarding appropriate clinical setting for BCs and indications for repeat BCs is required to maximize utilization of resources, improve diagnostic yield, and limit patient discomfort.

Objective.To evaluate the efficacy of contact and droplet precautions in reducing the incidence of hospital-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections.Design.Before-after study.Setting.A 439-bed, university-affiliated community hospital.Methods.To identify inpatients infected or colonized with MRSA, we conducted surveillance of S. aureus isolates recovered from clinical culture and processed by the hospital's clinical microbiology laboratory. We then reviewed patient records for all individuals from whom MRSA was recovered. The rates of hospital-acquired MRSA infection were tabulated for each area where patients received nursing care. After a baseline period, contact and droplet precautions were implemented in all intensive care units (ICUs). Reductions in the incidence of hospital-acquired MRSA infection in ICUs led to the implementation of contact precautions in non-ICU patient care areas (hereafter, “non-ICU areas”), as well. Droplet precautions were discontinued. An analysis comparing the rates of hospital-acquired MRSA infection during different intervention periods was performed.Results.The combined baseline rate of hospital-acquired MRSA infection was 10.0 infections per 1,000 patient-days in the medical ICU (MICU) and surgical ICU (SICU) and 0.7 infections per 1,000 patient-days in other ICUs. Following the implementation of contact and droplet precautions, combined rates of hospital-acquired MRSA infection in the MICU and SICU decreased to 4.3 infections per 1,000 patient-days (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.17-0.97; P = .03). There was no significant change in hospital-acquired MRSA infection rates in other ICUs. After the discontinuation of droplet precautions, the combined rate in the MICU and SICU decreased further to 2.5 infections per 1,000 patient-days. This finding was not significant (P = .43). In the non-ICU areas that had a high incidence of hospital-acquired MRSA infection, the rate prior to implementation of contact precautions was 1.3 infections per 1,000 patient-days. After the implementation of contact precautions, the rate in these areas decreased to 0.9 infections per 1,000 patient-days (95% CI, 0.47-0.94; P = .02).Conclusion.The implementation of contact precautions significantly decreased the rate of hospital-acquired MRSA infection, and discontinuation of droplet precautions in the ICUs led to a further reduction. Additional studies evaluating specific infection control strategies are needed.

Based on a global survey of leaders, this article examines the challenges facing health care managers today and uncovers best practices to develop and select leaders, especially those on the frontline. Highlights include hiring processes that identify motivated, potential leaders who have the knowledge, experience, competencies, and attributes to get the job done.

Three neonates and 5 health care workers were identified as colonized with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) out of 222 individuals screened during an outbreak investigation in an 18-bed neonatal intensive care unit. Two of 3 MRSA neonatal isolates demonstrated identical pulsed-field gel electrophoresis clonal patterns but no clonal association was found among isolates from the 5 employees or between employees and neonates. Increased MRSA-unrelated strain colonization among health care workers supports increased MRSA community prevalence and probable decreased utility of mass screening.

We describe a clonal outbreak of quinolone-resistant Haemophilus influenzae (QRHI) from an affiliated long-term care facility (LTCF-A); the outbreak was associated with the clinical use of levofloxacin, which was determined to be a risk factor for acquisition of QRHI. The minimum inhibitory concentration to which 90% of isolates were susceptible (MIC90), as determined by broth microdilution, was >4 microg/mL for levofloxacin, >2 microg/mL for moxifloxacin, >2 microg/mL for gatifloxacin, and 8 microg/mL for gemifloxacin. The MIC90, as determined by Etest (AB Biodisk), was >32 microg/mL for levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, moxifloxacin, and gatifloxacin. Having been a resident at LTCF-A and having chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were significant risk factors for acquisition of QRHI at our 500-bed hospital (New York Hospital Queens). All QRHI isolates were found to be genetically related by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis, were nontypeable, were susceptible to ceftriaxone and azithromycin, and were negative for beta -lactamase production. Emphasis on patient contact and respiratory isolation and placing colonized or infected patients in cohorts yielded a marked reduction in the prevalence of QRHI at LTCF-A.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate suspected pseudo-outbreaks of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) during August 1994 and July 1995 among patients who did not have clinical findings consistent with tuberculosis. DESIGN: Retrospective and prospective surveys of all clinical and laboratory data using standard epidemiological tools and DNA fingerprinting. SETTING: A university-affiliated community hospital. PATIENTS: Those with positive MTB cultures during periods when we noted that the number of MTB positive cultures greatly outnumbered the usual monthly average (retrospective analysis, 1994) and patients with positive MTB cultures without clinical findings consistent with tuberculosis (prospective survey, 1995). RESULTS: Epidemiological and molecular studies revealed specimen cross-contamination in the laboratory due to a faulty exhaust hood. Improvement in laboratory ventilation and change of the implicated hood prevented further specimen contamination. CONCLUSIONS: The identification of positive MTB cultures from patients without clinical evidence of tuberculosis should be a signal to suspect laboratory contamination and implement control measures. These should include a thorough epidemiological investigation, DNA fingerprint analysis, and an environmental inspection.

A nosocomial outbreak of infections due to imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii occurred in a New York hospital after increased use of imipenem for cephalosporin-resistant klebsiella infections. We identified all A baumannii isolates over 12 months, reviewed corresponding patient records, and compared strains with different antibiotic susceptibility patterns by restriction endonuclease analysis. Environmental surveillance cultures were done before and after institution of control measures. 59 patients harboured imipenem-resistant A baumannii, and 18 were infected. Isolates from patients were resistant to all routinely tested antibiotics, including imipenem. Further studies showed susceptibility to polymyxin B and sulbactam. These isolates were identical by restriction endonuclease analysis to A baumannii isolates susceptible to imipenem alone, or to imipenem and amikacin, but differed from broadly susceptible isolates. Surveillance cultures showed hand and environmental colonisation by imipenem-resistant strains. Infection and colonisation were eliminated by intensive infection control measures, and irrigation of wounds with polymyxin B. Increased use of imipenem against cephalosporin-resistant klebsiella may lead to imipenem resistance among other species, particularly acinetobacter. Such resistance appears to derive from a prior multi-resistant clone, in contrast to one which retains susceptibility to several antibiotics.

This paper describes the historical background of the Consensus Standards for Postgraduate Medical Fellowships in Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, developed for the American Academy of Psychiatrists in Alcoholism and Addictions and the Association for Medical Education and Research in Substance Abuse. These standards were prepared by a National Advisory Committee of the Center for Medical Fellowships in Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, which includes 23 leading figures in academic medical training in the addiction field. The standards define general information, facilities and resources, the educational program, and the specific knowledge and skills appropriate to fellowship training. The standards were designed to provide a model for optimal training for residency affiliated fellowships to be used by faculty, trainees, and organizations setting training standards.

Household saving – the difference between household disposable income and household consumption – has declined over the last two decades and now appears to be negative. On the other hand, household wealth has risen. This has been due to rises in house prices, which have pushed up the equity held by households in residential property. While a downward trend in household saving is evident across many developed countries, New Zealand’s household saving rate has been among the lowest, or the lowest, for much of the last 20 years. Also, New Zealand households have lower levels of wealth than households in Australia, Canada, the UK and the US. While New Zealanders’ wealth in housing, as a proportion of disposable income, is around the same as for these other countries, it seems that on average New Zealand households own less financial wealth (e.g. shares and bonds). In view of this pattern, the Economics Department of the Reserve Bank decided to undertake a small-scale exploratory study of households’ attitudes to various forms of investment. The idea behind this work was to get a view, from a sociological perspective rather than an economic perspective, on why wealth in New Zealand is held in the way it is. This perspective contributes to the Economic Department’s ongoing programme of work on the financial position of households.

Objectives:To determine risk factors for ceftazidime-resistantKlebsiella pneumoniaeinfection and the effect of cef-tazidime-resistantK. pneumoniaeinfection on mortality during an isolated outbreak.Design:Case–control investigation using clinical and molecular epidemiology and prospective analysis of infection control interventions.Setting:Surgical intensive care unit of a university-affiliated community hospital.Patients:Fourteen case-patients infected with ceftazidime-resistantK. pneumoniaeand 14 control-patients.Results:Ten of 14 case-patients had identical strains by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Broad-spectrum antibiotic therapy before admission to the unit was strongly predictive of subsequent ceftazidime-resistantK. pneumoniaeinfection. In addition, patients with ceftazidime-resistantK. pneumoniaeinfection experienced increased mortality (odds ratio, 3.77).Conclusions:Cephalosporin restriction has been shown to decrease the incidence of nosocomial ceftazidime-resistantK. pneumoniae. However, isolated clonal outbreaks may occur due to lapses in infection control practices. Reinstatement of strict handwashing, thorough environmental cleaning, and repeat education led to termination of the outbreak. A distinct correlation between ceftazidime-resistantK. pneumoniaeinfection and mortality supports the important influence of antibiotic resistance on the outcome of serious bacterial infections.

The nursing profession is not looked on favorably by Muslim families. In one rural area there were only three nurses for 1 million people. Community health and public health care have been lacking in the nursing curriculum. Therefore, preparing recruits for the community health nursing (CHN) posts in the Community Health Sciences Department (CHSD) and for faculty of the School of Nursing has involved a sequence of continuing education: inservice and on-the-job training in the CHSD and courses in the new BScN program. Those who joined with a diploma in nursing and a year of midwifery, and who followed this sequence, could be selected as Aga Khan University (AKU) scholars, and be sponsored for support in the two-year BScN program with its community health orientation. After two more years of advanced experience, the CHN is given the opportunity to apply for master's studies abroad. All who were accepted have returned to work at the Aga Khan University and have increased their career opportunities.

Context.—Resistance to most or all cephalosporin antibiotics in Klebsiella species has developed in many European and North American hospitals during the past 2 decades.Objective.—To determine if restriction of use of the cephalosporin class of antibiotics would reduce the incidence of patient infection or colonization by cephalosporin-resistant Klebsiella.Design.—A before-after comparative 2-year trial.Setting.—A 500-bed, university-affiliated community hospital in Queens, NY.Patients.—All adult medical and surgical hospital inpatients.Intervention.—A new antibiotic guideline excluded the use of cephalosporins except for pediatric infection, single-dose surgical prophylaxis, acute bacterial meningitis, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, and outpatient gonococcal infection. All other cephalosporin use required prior approval by the infectious disease section.Main Outcome Measure.—Incidence of patient infection or colonization by ceftazidime-resistant Klebsiella during 1995 (control period) compared with 1996 (intervention period).Results.—An 80.1% reduction in hospital-wide cephalosporin use occurred in 1996 compared with 1995. This was accompanied by a 44.0% reduction in the incidence of ceftazidime-resistant Klebsiella infection and colonization throughout the medical center (P