To determine the proportion of hospitals that implemented 6 leading practices in their antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs). Design: Cross-sectional observational survey.

Acute-care hospitals.

ASP leaders.

Advance letters and electronic questionnaires were initiated February 2020. Primary outcomes were percentage of hospitals that (1) implemented facility-specific treatment guidelines (FSTG); (2) performed interactive prospective audit and feedback (PAF) either face-to-face or by telephone; (3) optimized diagnostic testing; (4) measured antibiotic utilization; (5) measured C. difficile infection (CDI); and (6) measured adherence to FSTGs.

Of 948 hospitals invited, 288 (30.4%) completed the questionnaire. Among them, 82 (28.5%) had <99 beds, 162 (56.3%) had 100–399 beds, and 44 (15.2%) had ≥400+ beds. Also, 230 (79.9%) were healthcare system members. Moreover, 161 hospitals (54.8%) reported implementing FSTGs; 214 (72.4%) performed interactive PAF; 105 (34.9%) implemented procedures to optimize diagnostic testing; 235 (79.8%) measured antibiotic utilization; 258 (88.2%) measured CDI; and 110 (37.1%) measured FSTG adherence. Small hospitals performed less interactive PAF (61.0%; P = .0018). Small and nonsystem hospitals were less likely to optimize diagnostic testing: 25.2% (P = .030) and 21.0% (P = .0077), respectively. Small hospitals were less likely to measure antibiotic utilization (67.8%; P = .0010) and CDI (80.3%; P = .0038). Nonsystem hospitals were less likely to implement FSTGs (34.3%; P < .001).

Significant variation exists in the adoption of ASP leading practices. A minority of hospitals have taken action to optimize diagnostic testing and measure adherence to FSTGs. Additional efforts are needed to expand adoption of leading practices across all acute-care hospitals with the greatest need in smaller hospitals.

To evaluate efficiency and impact of a novel antimicrobial stewardship program (ASP) prospective-audit-with-feedback (PAF) review process using the Cerner Multi-Patient Task List (MPTL).

Retrospective cohort study.

A 367-bed free-standing, pediatric academic medical center.

The ASP PAF review process expanded to monitor all systemic and inhaled antibiotics through use of the MPTL on July 23, 2020. Average number of daily ASP reviews, absolute number of monthly interventions, and time to conduct ASP reviews were compared between the preimplementation period and the postimplementation period following expansion. Antibiotic days of therapy (DOT) per 1,000 patient days for overall and select antibiotics were compared between periods. ASP intervention characteristics were assessed.

Average daily ASP reviews significantly increased following program expansion (9 vs 14 reviews; P < .0001), and the absolute number of ASP interventions each month also increased (34 vs 52 interventions; P ≤ .0001). Time to conduct daily ASP reviews increased in the postimplementation period (1.03 vs 1.32 hours). Overall antibiotic DOT per 1,000 patient days significantly decreased in the postimplementation period (457.9 vs 427.9; P < .0001) as well as utilization of select, narrow-spectrum antibiotics such as ampicillin and clindamycin. Intervention type and antibiotics were similar between periods. The ASP documented 128 “nonantibiotic interventions” in the postimplementation period, including culture and/or susceptibility testing (32.8%), immunizations (25.8%), and additional diagnostic testing (22.7%).

Implementation of an ASP PAF review process using the MPTL allowed for efficient expansion of a pre-existing ASP and a decrease in overall antibiotic utilization. ASP documentation was enhanced to fully track the impact of the program.

To characterize opportunities to postprescriptively modify antibiotic prescriptions initiated for treatment of suspected urinary tract infection (UTI) in nursing homes.

Cross-sectional cohort study.

Data from the health records of residents treated for UTI between 2013 and 2014 in 5 Wisconsin nursing homes were abstracted using a structured approach. Explicit definitions were used to identify whether the prescribed antibiotic could have been stopped, shortened, or changed to a nonfluoroquinolone alternative. Antibiotic treatments appropriately modified by study nursing home providers in real time were not considered modifiable. Identification of >1 potential modification opportunity (eg, stop and shorten) per antibiotic treatment event was permitted.

In total, 356 eligible antibiotic treatment courses among 249 unique residents were identified. Only 59 antibiotic courses prescribed for treatment of suspected UTI (16.6%) were not amenable to any modification. Discontinuation of treatment due to lack of signs or symptoms of infection was the most frequently identified potential modification opportunity (66.2%). Although less common, substantial numbers of antibiotic treatment courses were potentially amenable to shortening (34%) or agent change (19%) modifications. If applied in concert at 72 hours after antibiotic initiation, stop and shorten modifications could eradicate up to 1,326 avoidable antibiotic days, and change modifications could remove a 32 remaining avoidable fluoroquinolone days.

Substantial opportunity exists to enhance the quality of antibiotic prescribing for treatment of suspected UTI in nursing homes through postprescriptive review interventions. Additional studies examining how to best design and implement postprescriptive review interventions in nursing homes are needed.

To determine risk factors for mechanical (noninfectious) complications in peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) in children.

Retrospective cohort study.

Pediatric tertiary-care center in Nova Scotia, Canada.

Pediatric patients with a first PICC insertion.

All PICCs inserted between January 2001 until 2016 were included. Age-stratified (neonates vs non-neonates) Fine–Grey competing risk proportional hazard models were used to model the association between each putative risk factor and the time to mechanical complication or removal of the PICC for reasons not related to a mechanical complication. Models were adjusted for confounding variables identified through directed acyclic graphs.

Of 3,205 patients with PICCs, 706 had mechanical complications (22% or 14 events/1000 device days). For both neonates and older children, disease group, lumen count, and prior leak were all associated with mechanical complications in the adjusted proportional hazards model. Access vein and prior infection were also associated with mechanical complications for neonates, and age group was associated with mechanical complications among non-neonates.

We have identified several risk factors for mechanical complications in patients with PICCs that will help improve best practices for PICC insertion and care.

Investigation of the origin of a Serratia marcescens outbreak in a neonatal intensive care unit.

Retrospective case–control study.

Regional level 3 perinatal center in Germany.

This study included 4 S. marcescens–positive and 19 S. marcescens–negative neonates treated between February 1 and February 26, 2019, in the neonatal intensive care unit.

A case–control study was performed to identify the source of the outbreak. The molecular investigation of S. marcescens isolates collected during the outbreak was performed using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and next-generation sequencing.

The retrospective case–control study showed a significant correlation (P < .0001) between S. marcensens infection or colonization and consumption of donor milk that had tested negative for pathogenic bacteria from a single breast milk donor. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis and next-generation sequencing retrospectively confirmed an S. marcescens strain isolated from the breast milk of this donor as the possible origin of the initial outbreak. The outbreak was controlled by the implementation of an infection control bundle including a multidisciplinary infection control team, temporary nutrition of infants with formula only and/or their mother’s own milk, repeated screening of all inpatients, strict coat and glove care, process observation, retraining of hand hygiene and continuous monitoring of environmental cleaning procedures.

Low-level contaminated raw donor milk can be a source of infection and colonization of preterm infants with S. marcescens even if it tests negative for bacteria.

Current guidance states that asymptomatic screening for severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) prior to admission to an acute-care setting is at the facility’s discretion. This study’s objective was to estimate the number of undetected cases of SARS-CoV-2 admitted as inpatients under 4 testing approaches and varying assumptions.

Individual-based microsimulation of 104 North Carolina acute-care hospitals

All simulated inpatient admissions to acute-care hospitals from December 15, 2021, to January 13, 2022 [ie, during the SARS-COV-2 ο (omicron) variant surge].

We simulated (1) only testing symptomatic patients, (2) 1-stage antigen testing with no confirmatory polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test, (3) 1-stage antigen testing with a confirmatory PCR for negative results, and (4) serial antigen screening (ie, repeat antigen test 2 days after a negative result).

Over 1 month, there were 77,980 admissions: 13.7% for COVID-19, 4.3% with but not for COVID-19, and 82.0% for non–COVID-19 indications without current infection. Without asymptomatic screening, 1,089 (credible interval [CI], 946–1,253) total SARS-CoV-2 infections (7.72%) went undetected. With 1-stage antigen screening, 734 (CI, 638–845) asymptomatic infections (67.4%) were detected, with 1,277 false positives. With combined antigen and PCR screening, 1,007 (CI, 875–1,159) asymptomatic infections (92.5%) were detected, with 5,578 false positives. A serial antigen testing policy detected 973 (CI, 845–1,120) asymptomatic infections (89.4%), with 2,529 false positives.

Serial antigen testing identified >85% of asymptomatic infections and resulted in fewer false positives with less cost per identified infection compared to combined antigen plus PCR testing.

The rapid spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) required swift preparation to protect healthcare personnel (HCP) and patients, especially considering shortages of personal protective equipment (PPE). Due to the lack of a pre-existing biocontainment unit, we needed to develop a novel approach to placing patients in isolation cohorts while working with the pre-existing physical space.

To prevent disease transmission to non–COVID-19 patients and HCP caring for COVID-19 patients, to optimize PPE usage, and to provide a comfortable and safe working environment.

An interdisciplinary workgroup developed a combination of approaches to convert existing spaces into COVID-19 containment units with high-risk zones (HRZs). We developed standard workflow and visual management in conjunction with updated staff training and workflows. The infection prevention team created PPE standard practices for ease of use, conservation, and staff safety.

The interventions resulted in 1 possible case of patient-to-HCP transmission and zero cases of patient-to-patient transmission. PPE usage decreased with the HRZ model while maintaining a safe environment of care. Staff on the COVID-19 units were extremely satisfied with PPE availability (76.7%) and efforts to protect them from COVID-19 (72.7%). Moreover, 54.8% of HCP working in the COVID-19 unit agreed that PPE monitors played an essential role in staff safety.

The HRZ model of containment unit is an effective method to prevent the spread of COVID-19 with several benefits. It is easily implemented and scaled to accommodate census changes. Our experience suggests that other institutions do not need to modify existing physical structures to create similarly protective spaces.

Hospitalizations among skilled nursing facility (SNF) residents in Detroit increased in mid-March 2020 due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Outbreak response teams were deployed from local healthcare systems, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Detroit Health Department (DHD) to understand the infection prevention and control (IPC) gaps in SNFs that may have accelerated the outbreak.

We conducted 2 point-prevalence surveys (PPS-1 and PPS-2) at 13 Detroit SNFs from April 8 to May 8, 2020. The DHD and partners conducted facility-wide severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) testing of all residents and staff and collected information regarding resident cohorting, staff cohorting, and personnel protective equipment (PPE) utilized during that time.

Resident cohorting had been implemented in 7 of 13 (58.3%) SNFs prior to point-prevalence survey 1 (PPS-1), and other facilities initiated cohorting after obtaining PPS-1 results. Cohorting protocols of healthcare practitioners and environmental service staff were not established in 4 (31%) of 13 facilities, and in 3 facilities (23.1%) the ancillary staff were not assigned to cohorts. Also, 2 SNFs (15%) had an observation unit prior to PPS-1, 2 (15%) had an observation unit after PPS-1, 4 (31%) could not establish an observation unit due to inadequate space, and 5 (38.4%) created an observation unit after PPS-2.

On-site consultations identified gaps in IPC knowledge and cohorting that may have contributed to ongoing transmission of SARS-CoV-2 among SNF residents despite aggressive testing measures. Infection preventionists (IPs) are critical in guiding ongoing IPC practices in SNFs to reduce spread of COVID-19 through response and prevention.

To examine the appropriateness of the decision to quarantine healthcare workers (HCWs) exposed to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Retrospective cohort study.

A tertiary-care medical center in Israel.

HCWs exposed to a coworker infected with severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

Quarantined and nonquarantined HCWs were followed for up to 1 month following exposure and their COVID-19 status was determined. The validity of the decision to quarantine was assessed.

In total, 2,595 HCWs exposed to 419 confirmed index cases were studied. Of the contact cases, 752 HCWs were quarantined and 1,843 HCWs were not. Of those quarantined, 36 became SARS-CoV-2 positive (4.7%). Among those who were not quarantined, only 13 (0.7%) became SARS-CoV-2 positive, which translated to a sensitivity of 73.5% and a specificity of 71.9% for the decision to quarantine (positive and negative predictive values: 4.7% and 99.3%, respectively). Controlling for confounders, the decision to quarantine the HCW by the Israeli Ministry of Health guidelines was associated with a significant risk of becoming SARS-CoV-2 positive (RR, 3.83; 95% CI, 1.98–7.36; P = .001). If a nonselective policy was used, 11,700 working days would have been lost (902 working days lost per positive case).

An efficient and tight system of HCW contact investigations served its purpose in our hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study was based on HCW reports and reported adherence to safety regulations, and these findings are relevant to the massive pandemic waves due to the SARS-CoV-2 α (alpha) variant. These Methods demonstrate an effective way of handling risk without causing damage due to arbitrary risk-control measures.

Exposure to aerosol spray generated by high-speed handpieces (HSHs) and ultrasonic scalers poses a significant health risk to oral health practitioners from airborne pathogens. Aerosol generation varies with different HSH designs, but to date, no study has measured this.

We measured and compared aerosol generation by (1) dental HSHs with 3 different coolant port designs and (2) ultrasonic scalers with no suction, low-volume evacuation (LVE) or high-volume evacuation (HVE). Measurements used a particle counter placed near the operator’s face in a single-chair, mechanically ventilated dental surgery. Volume concentrations of aerosol, totaled across a 0.3–25-µm size range, were compared for each test condition.

HSH drilling and scaling produced significantly high aerosol levels (P < .001) with total volume concentrations 4.73×108µm3/m3 and 4.18×107µm3/m3, respectively. For scaling, mean volume of aerosol was highest with no suction followed by LVE and HVE (P < .001). We detected a negative correlation with both LVE and HVE, indicating that scaling with suction improved operator safety. For drilling, simulated cavity preparation with a 1-port HSH generated the most aerosol (P < .01), followed by a 4-port HSH. Independent of the number of cooling ports, lack of suction caused higher aerosol volume (1.98×107 µm3/m3) whereas HVE significantly reduced volume to −4.47×105 µm3/m3.

High concentrations of dental aerosol found during HSH cavity preparation or ultrasonic scaling present a risk of infection, confirming the advice to use respiratory PPE. HVE and LVE both effectively reduced aerosol generation during scaling, whereas the new aerosol-reducing ‘no air’ function was highly effective and can be recommended for HSH drilling.