Background:Cutibacterium acnes is normal skin flora as well as a common culture contaminant. It can cause infections in the setting of sterile implants, although clinical presentations can be subtle. Differentiating true infection from sample contamination is challenging and has implications for patient care. We describe an investigation of a cluster of 7 hospitalized pediatric patients with C. acnes isolated from anaerobic cultures of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) over 3 weeks at a quaternary-care children’s hospital. Methods: An outbreak response was coordinated between the infection prevention and control (IPC), microbiology, and neurosurgery teams. We defined a case as a hospitalized patient with C. acnes isolated from a CSF culture beginning in November 2020. We reviewed charts of all cases and CSF culture collection on all case units, transport to and processing at the microbiology laboratory, and the IPC team measured adherence for all processes. Results: There were 8 positive cultures in 7 cases from November 10 to 27, 2020. The median case age was 2 months (range, 0–119). Cases occurred on 4 different units. All positive patients had at least 1 implanted neurosurgical device used for CSF drainage. There were no clear commonalities in surgeon responsible for device placement, hardware type placed, or staff collecting CSF samples. A standard protocol for CSF collection was followed for all cases. Overall, 3 patients cleared cultures without intervention, 2 received oral antibiotics, and 2 underwent surgical removal of their device. Specimen processing was unchanged, although due to supply issues, an alternative anaerobic culture media (Anaerobic Systems, Morgan Hills, CA) was used for 6 weeks, during which all cases were identified. Compared to routine media, the alternative is known to enhance organism detection. The company reported no concerns for media contamination or C. acnes outbreaks. Once routine media became available, CSF culture positivity for C. acnes returned to baseline (late November or early December) (Fig. 1). Conclusions: We identified a likely pseudo-outbreak related to temporary use of a more sensitive culture media. No direct patient harm was identified, although many had increased risk of harm by surgical intervention or prolonged length of stay. Technological advances may enhance organism identification but challenge existing paradigms of care. More studies are needed to better delineate the intersection of diagnostic advancements with patient care standards.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None

Background: In spring 2021, the infection prevention and control department at a pediatric academic medical center identified 3 oncology patients with concern for invasive Rhizopus spp infections. An in-depth investigation was conducted, but a common source of the fungus was not identified. In August 2021, an additional oncology patient with concern for invasive Rhizopus spp was identified, resulting in an extended investigation for possible sources of fungus. Methods: A multidisciplinary work group was assembled. The CDC Targeted Environmental Investigation Checklist for Outbreaks of Invasive Infections Caused by Environmental Fungi was used as a framework for conducting the investigation. Stakeholders were engaged throughout the process, including the hematology–oncology service, hospital leadership, environmental services, patient safety and quality, and facilities and engineering. The investigation included hospital incident command system (HICS) activation; visual inspection of patient rooms and common spaces; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) review; environmental sampling (surfaces, linen, and air); chart review; and process mapping. Results: By early October 2021, 2 environmental samples grew isolates (each at 1 CFU/m3) of the same species of Rhizopus as one of the affected patients. One sample was from a patient room, and the other from an outdoor garden space. No source of indoor amplification of Rhizopus was identified. The investigation revealed several opportunities for improvement: annual room maintenance schedules, use of gardens and outdoor spaces by at-risk patients, linen storage, construction and/or infection control risk assessment (ICRA) processes, and appliances used by families (eg, washing machines and refrigerators). Work streams were established to address each of these areas. Conclusions: No definite source was identified for the 4 invasive Rhizopus spp infections. This extensive investigation highlighted multiple opportunities for improvement; the changes implemented may prevent future invasive fungal infections in high-risk pediatric patients.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None

Although pharmacists are key members of the healthcare team, they are currently ineligible to independently prescribe the oral coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) antivirals. We report the roles pharmacists have undertaken during the COVID-19 pandemic and provide evidence for the support of independent oral COVID-19 antiviral prescribing.

Background: Outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy (OPAT) involves the administration of intravenous antimicrobial therapy outside the hospital. The literature suggests that inpatient providers are often unaware of OPAT programs and may not engage this multidisciplinary group in a timely fashion, leading to potentially inappropriate OPAT use. However, few studies have directly addressed this issue. We characterized current practices for coordinating OPAT and assessed provider understanding of OPAT services. We also conducted an exploratory analysis of placement of a peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) consultation prior to an infectious disease (ID) consultation as a proxy for potentially avoidable OPAT use. Methods: This study was conducted between September and December 2021 at the Ann Arbor VA Healthcare System. All charts (n = 212) in which a consultation for a PICC was placed between January and September 2021 were reviewed, including free-text data entered by patient teams and inpatient progress notes in the days leading up to and following PICC consultation. Additionally, inpatient providers were surveyed using an online format regarding knowledge, utilization, and perceptions of OPAT. Results: Of the 212 charts reviewed, 108 patient encounters resulted in PICC placement; 80 (74.1%) were placed for the indication of home IV antibiotics. Of these, 3 (4.0%) had the PICC consult placed prior to the ID consultation. Of the 104 PICC consultations that were cancelled, 9 (8.7%) were cancelled because the ID staff did not recommend home IV antibiotics. Other reasons for cancellation included alternative device placement, duplicate order, referral to interventional radiology, failure to meet criteria, or unsuccessful placement. Of the 285 inpatient providers sent the electronic survey, 121 (46.9%) completed at least some portion. Overall, 17 respondents (14.0%) were familiar with the acronym OPAT; however, only 10 were able to expand the acronym correctly. Of the 118 respondents asked about their familiarity with the OPAT program at the local institution, 98 (83.1%) were not familiar at all or were only slightly familiar with the program. In contrast, 7 respondents (6.0%) were very or extremely familiar with the OPAT program. Conclusions: Further education and structural interventions are necessary to improve inpatient providers’ awareness and early engagement of local OPAT programs to ensure appropriate OPAT use. An educational intervention with an informative flowchart diagramming the steps for engaging the OPAT team could raise awareness and improve engagement when potential OPAT needs are identified (Fig. 1).

Funding: None

Disclosures: None

Secondary bacterial infections and bacterial coinfections are an important complication of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), leading to antibiotic overuse and increased rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this literature review, we summarize the reported rates of secondary bacterial infections and bacterial coinfections in patients with COVID-19, the impact on patient outcomes, the antibiotic treatment approaches employed, and the resistance patterns observed. The reported data suggest that although the incidence of secondary bacterial infections or bacterial coinfections is relatively low, they are associated with worse outcomes such as prolonged hospitalization, intensive care unit admission, mechanical ventilator use, and increased mortality. Interestingly, antibiotic prescription rates are typically higher than secondary bacterial and bacterial coinfection rates, and reports of AMR are common. These findings highlight the need for an improved understanding of secondary bacterial and bacterial coinfection in patients with COVID-19, as well as improved treatment options, to mitigate inappropriate antibiotic prescribing and AMR.

Background: A growing body of evidence has reported on the harm and cost of nonventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia (NVHAP), currently the most common hospital-acquired infection (HAI). Although the US Congress and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) have acted to reduce rates of some HAIs through the Hospital-Acquired Condition Reduction Program (HACRP), NVHAP is not currently included. Thus, most hospitals do not engage in active prevention. Here, we report the findings from our analysis of Medicare claims data on hospital length of stay (LOS), cost for patients with hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP), including both ventilator-associated pneumonia and NVHAP, and mortality. Methods: We used Medicare claims data for Federal Fiscal Year 2019 for inpatient and postdischarge services. Beneficiaries who died, were without continuous Medicare Part A and B enrollment, and patients eligible for Medicare for end-stage renal disease were excluded. Inpatient payments and 30-, 60-, and 90-day postdischarge episodes for 2,457 beneficiaries with HAP were examined and compared to a non-HAP control group of 2,457 beneficiaries. Groups were matched on age, sex, race, and the diagnosis-related group (DRG) for their index hospitalization. Results: Most HAP was NVHAP (N = 2,222; 89%) versus VAP (N = 275; 11%). LOS stay was significantly (p HAP patients were 2.8 times more likely to die vs non-HAP. Conclusions: These findings provide additional support to previous research on the harm and cost associated with NVHAP. Previous HACRP HAI initiatives, such as catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) and surgical-site infection (SSI), have resulted in measurable HAI reductions. Although recent evidence-based NVHAP and initiatives indicate that NVAHP is largely preventable, to date, no acute-care inpatient hospital quality improvement program implemented by Medicare includes measures for NVHAP prevention. The time is right to include NVHAP as an HACRP HAI initiative.

Funding: Stryker

Disclosures: None

Background: Although many infectious conditions can be safely treated with oral antimicrobials, select circumstances require parenteral antimicrobial therapy. Benefits of OPAT include prevention of hospital-associated conditions and significant cost savings. However, risks of OPAT include adverse drug events (ADEs) and vascular access device (VAD) complications. We analyzed the safety of OPAT regimens as part of implementing a collaborative OPAT program. Methods: We reviewed adult patients discharged home from an academic hospital between January 2019 and June 2021. Patients with cystic fibrosis were excluded. Data on OPAT agents, ADEs, and VAD complications were collected from electronic medical records by 2 reviewers using a standardized REDCap instrument. The institutional review board approved this study. Results: The cohort comprised 265 unique patients; 212 (80%) received single-drug therapy and 53 (20%) received multidrug therapy. In total, 81 patients (31%), who received a total of 110 antimicrobials, experienced an ADE. In total, 55 patients (21%), who received a total of 72 antimicrobials, experienced a VAD complication. Patients who received >1 antimicrobial were more likely to experience an ADE (53% vs 25%; P = .0002) or a VAD complication (32% vs 18%; P = .04). Cephalosporins were the most frequently prescribed antimicrobial class (Table 1). Conclusions: ADEs and VAD complications were frequent in patients on OPAT. Local data should inform (1) the selection of OPAT therapy and (2) the standardized monitoring of patients who receive OPAT going forward in the implementation of this collaborative OPAT program.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None

Background: Transmission-based precautions against varicella-zoster virus (VZV) in healthcare settings are determined by the extent of rash (localized vs disseminated) and the immune status of the host. At our facility, immunocompetent patients with localized disease are placed in standard precautions whereas patients with disseminated disease and/or immunocompromised status are placed in airborne and contact isolation. The use of molecular diagnostics has increased recently, and patients can have a PCR positive for VZV in cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) without evidence of pneumonia or disseminated rash. These patients are classified as disseminated disease, but it is unlikely that they are spreading VZV via respiratory aerosols in the absence of other symptoms. Infection prevention guidance is limited in this situation, and these patients may be in unneeded isolation, with the potential for adverse patient effects and overutilizing PPE resources. We have described the clinical characteristics of patients with a PCR positive for VZV in CSF, and we evaluated the risk for transmitting VZV via airborne aerosols. Methods: A retrospective, single-center chart review was performed on all patients admitted with a PCR positive for VZV in CSF between July 2017 and November 2021. Chart review was performed to gather data regarding clinical presentation, patient characteristics, and risk factors. Results: In total, 38 patients were identified who had a PCR positive for VZV in CSF; 22 (57.9%) were male and 16 (42.1%) were female. The median age was 47 years (IQR, 38–69). Also, 15 patients (39.5%) were immunocompromised. Moreover, 26 patients (68.4%) had a rash; 19 (50%) had localized rash; and 7 (18.4%) had disseminated rash involving ≥3 dermatomes. However, 12 patients (31.5%) had neither rash nor pneumonia. Furthermore, 5 patients (13.1%) had PCR positive for VZV in CSF and developed rash within the following 2–7 days (2 with disseminated rash). In addition, 6 patients (15.8%) had pneumonia. Of the 6 patients with pneumonia, 4 (10.5%) were immunocompromised and 3 (7.9%) were above 65-year-old. 32 patients (84.2%) were kept in airborne and contact precautions. 1 (2.6%) patient had a documented record of at least 1 dose of Shingrix vaccine. Conclusions: Most patients with a PCR test positive for VZV in the CSF were not immunocompromised and did not have evidence of disseminated rash or pneumonia. The risk of airborne transmission of VZV via small aerosols appears to be low in patients with a PCR test positive for VZV in the CSF without evidence of disseminated rash or pneumonia. Airborne isolation may not be required for many of these patients.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None

Objectives: We sought to determine the relationship between an oral-care bundle that includes use of new oral care devices, education of best practices for performing oral care, and daily audits to measure compliance with oral care best practices and the reduction of nonventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia (NV-HAP) and NV-HAP–associated sepsis and mortality outcomes. Methods: Havasu Regional Medical Center (HRMC) is a 171-bed acute-care community hospital in Lake Havasu City, Arizona. The hospital inpatient units measured in this quasi-experimental study were the medical surgical telemetry ortho unit (MTSO), the intermediate care unit (IMC), and the ICU.

There were 30,838 hospital patient days in 2021. NV-HAP were captured as patients coded as an NV-HAP and being discharged in 2021. Sepsis was captured as sepsis being documented with the source being identified as a NV-HAP with a discharge date in 2021. Mortality was captured by coding of an NV-HAP and mortality with a time of death documented in 2021. Results: From January 1, 2021, to June 4, 2021, during the baseline period before the oral-care bundle was implemented, HRMC had 12,415 patient days and experienced a NV-HAP rate of 1.2 per 1,000 patient days and a sepsis rate of 0.56 per 1,000 patient days with the source documented as NV-HAP, and mortality rate of 0.32 per 1,000 patient days with a code of NV-HAP. HRMC used June 5, 2021, as their implementation period of the bundle, which included a new oral-care device, multilevel education to staff on best practices for oral care, and daily audits to measure compliance with oral-care best practices. During the postimplementation period, HRMC had 18,413 patient days, a NV-HAP rate of 0.54 per 1,000 patient days, a sepsis rate of 0.33 per 1,000 patient days with source documented as NV-HAP, and a mortality rate of 0.16 per 1,000 patient days with a code for NV-HAP. Conclusions: From June 5, 2021, to December 31, 2021, after the implementation of the oral-care bundle, the NV-HAP rate decreased by 58%, the sepsis rate with source documented as NV-HAP decreased by 41%, and the morality rate documented as NV-HAP decreased by 50%. Hospital infection control programs should consider implementation of a robust oral-care bundle that includes best-practices education and auditing to monitor staff compliance as a potential strategy to reduce NV-HAP.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None

Background: Infection prevention and control (IPC) protocols and guidelines are important quality management tools for educating care professionals and standardizing care processes. However, most of the actual care (ie, work as done) differ from protocol recommendations (ie, work as imagined). No tool or set of criteria has been established for how to develop human-centered IPC protocols. The goal of this research was to develop a standardized human-factors analysis method to provide healthcare organizations with a tangible framework to improve protocol usefulness and usability. Methods: The proposed analysis method combines principles from human-factors engineering (ie, usability heuristics, systems ambiguity framework) and instructional design. Relevant literature was analyzed by experts in human factors and clinical experts to develop a tool with criteria such as visualization and method ambiguity. Overall, 5 IPC-related protocols from a large academic hospital were selected from an electronic database and were evaluated using the proposed criteria. Results: During application of the analysis method, 70 human-factors–related problems were identified across 5 IPC protocols (eg, heater cooler cleaning), including violation of design heuristics and the presence of ambiguity. Frequently violated human-factors design principles included appearance and/or visibility (ie, visual display of content), visualization (ie, providing illustrative examples), and method ambiguity (ie, lack of clarity on how to complete a task). Figure 1 provides a sample of the human-factors problems identified and suggested solutions. Only minor modifications (ie, clarification of criteria definitions) were needed on the final tool. Conclusions: The human-factors–based tool developed in this study can be used both to develop new IPC protocols and to evaluate and improve existing protocols.

Funding: The CDC funded this work. This material is based upon work supported by the Naval Sea Systems Command under Contract No. N00024-13-D-6400, Task Order NH076. Any opinions, findings and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA) or the US CDC.

Disclosures: None

Background: Little is known about the impact of healthcare-associated respiratory syncytial virus (HA-RSV) in hospitalized children. To address this gap, we assessed the epidemiology and clinical impact associated with HA-RSV in a multiseason, multicenter study. Methods: During respiratory viral seasons 2016–2017, 2017–2018, and 2018–2019, we retrospectively identified HA-RSV cases in hospitalized children 72 hours after admission or within 48 hours of discharge in readmitted patients. Due to reduced availability of testing for non–SARS-CoV-2 viruses during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2019–2020 season was excluded. We initiated prospective HA-RSV surveillance during the 2020–2021 season and continued surveillance through November 2021 due to the unusual interseasonal RSV community outbreak. We determined demographic and clinical characteristics of HA-RSV cases and explored possible outcomes associated with RSV including transfer to the pediatric ICU and escalation of respiratory support from day −2 to day +4 (day 0 was the day of RSV detection). We explored the timeframe of day −2 to day +4 because events during this timeframe could be attributed to RSV infection. Respiratory support escalation was defined as change from room air to supplemental oxygen, increase in fraction of inspired oxzygen (FiO2) on same respiratory support modality, or change from noninvasive to invasive support. Results: Were identified 86 HA-RSV cases: 20 (23.3%) from 2016–2017, 26 (30.2%) from 2017–2018, 34 (39.5%) from 2018–2019, and 6 (7%) from October 2020–November 2021. HA-RSV was diagnosed a median of 14 days (IQR, 8–45) after admission. Moreover, 29 (33.7%), 31 (36.0%), and 26 (30.2%) cases were aged 60 months during these, respective seasons. Also, 33 (38.4%) had >3 comorbid conditions, most commonly gastrointestinal (n = 33, 38.4%), respiratory (n = 28, 32.6%), and/or congenital–genetic disorders (n = 28, 32.6%). However, 9 (10.5%) had no comorbid conditions. From day −2 to day +4, 15 children (17.4%) were transferred to the PICU and 38 (49.3%) of 77 evaluable cases required respiratory support escalation, most commonly supplemental oxygen delivered by nasal cannula (n = 15, 19.5%). Furthermore, 11 patients (14.3%) required invasive support. Conclusions: HA-RSV was associated with use of healthcare resources, including the need for respiratory support escalation and/or transfer to intensive care. From October 2020 to November 2021, lower numbers of HA-RSV were observed. The reasons for this are unknown, but potentially occurred in parallel to markedly reduced RSV in the community and may have resulted from visitor restrictions, which included no siblings and/or universal masking by hospital staff and visitors.

Funding: Funding for this research was provided by Merck Sharp & Dohme, a subsidiary of Merck & Co.

Disclosures: None

The Antimicrobial Stewardship Collaborative of South Carolina created quarterly Comparative SAAR Analysis Reports based on standardized antimicrobial administration ratio (SAAR) data from the NHSN Antimicrobial Use (AU) Option. These reports provide SAAR histograms and site-specific feedback to participating facilities in South Carolina. They were created to improve antimicrobial use throughout the state, especially in rural regions.

Background: Respiratory viral infections are very common among children. Transmission-based precautions are frequently used with patients who test positive for a respiratory virus in pediatric hospitals to prevent transmission of infections, regardless of whether the patient has symptoms of a respiratory infection or not (asymptomatic). However, few data are available on the prevalence of respiratory viral infections in symptomatic and asymptomatic children who are admitted to a pediatric hospital. The study was conducted in 3 hospitals that combine for a 601-bed pediatric healthcare system in northern Texas. Methods: From July 7, 2020, to the present, all patients admitted to the hospital had a nasopharyngeal swab collected and tested with a multiplex PCR panel including SARS-CoV-2 and 8 other common respiratory viruses. Over a 1-year period from October 1, 2020, to September 30, 2021, the prevalences of infection with each of the 9 respiratory viruses were calculated and stratified by respiratory infection symptom status (determined by the ordering provider in an electronic order set) and age group. Results: During this 1-year period, 28,421 PCR panels were collected on patients admitted to the hospital. The median age was 5 years (IQR, 1–12 years), and 15,105 patients were male (53.2%). Overall, 12,792 panels were positive for at least 1 virus (45.0%). Among 26,688 panels on individuals with known symptom status, 26.3% of asymptomatic patients and 69.4% of symptomatic patients tested positive for at least 1 virus. The most common virus was rhinovirus or enterovirus (17.7% asymptomatic positive and 40.2% symptomatic positive) (Fig. 1). Asymptomatic rhinovirus or enterovirus prevalence varied by age group and was greatest in children aged 1–4 years (31.7%) and those aged 5–9 years (23.1%). It was lowest in adolescents aged 15–21 years (7.1%) (Fig. 2). Over time, the prevalence of asymptomatic infections fluctuated with local outbreaks. For SARS-CoV-2, in the resolution phase of an outbreak the prevalence of asymptomatic infections tended to overlap or surpass symptomatic infections. Conclusions: Asymptomatic respiratory viral infections, and in particular rhinovirus or enterovirus infections, were common among pediatric patients admitted to the hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic and were most common among children aged 1–9 years. However, symptomatic patients were still more likely to test positive for a respiratory virus compared to asymptomatic patients. Prolonged shedding of SARS-CoV-2 may explain why asymptomatic prevalence surpasses symptomatic prevalence in the resolution phase after outbreaks.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None