Background: CAUTIs remain one of the most common hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) accounting for prolonged hospital stay and increased healthcare costs. According to the NHSN, the standardized infection ratio (SIR) at our institution was 1.6 compared to national average of 0.84 in 2018. We highlight the interventions implemented in our institution to prevent CAUTIs. These interventions have shown a reduction in the rate of CAUTIs, the SIR, Foley catheter days, and institutional cost. Methods: In addition to standard CAUTI prevention practices, we hypothesized that we could decrease CAUTIs through the daily implementation of specific practices. We developed a comprehensive interdisciplinary team which included the staff or charge registered nurse (RN), the unit manager, an infection preventionist, an advanced practice registered nurse (APRN), a pharmacist with an antimicrobial focus, and a physician from the infectious disease department who would conduct daily rounds on different units in the institution for education and assessment of catheter indications. A detailed review and analysis of the urine culture orders for patients with a Foley catheter was performed. A nurse-driven Foley catheter removal protocol before urine culture collection was initiated. We implemented a Foley catheter bundle that has guidelines for Foley insertion, best practice competency, and urinary catheter best practice algorithm and advocated alternative use of male or female external catheter. We educated physicians about ordering a reflexive urine analysis test followed by urine culture instead of testing either individually after removal of a Foley catheter. Lastly, we performed a root-cause analysis on all reported CAUTIs. These policies were implemented in a 435-bed tertiary-care center in November 2018, and we present data from 1-year before and after the interventions. Results: At our institution, we had 71 CAUTIs, with an SIR of 1.6, a standardized utilization ratio (SUR) of 0.92, 27,621 Foley days, and institutional cost of $979,303 compared to 40 CAUTIs with an SIR of 1, an SUR of 0.88, 24,193 Foley days, and institutional cost $537,927 after implementing our interventions. Conclusions: CAUTIs can be reduced by implementing specific measures that include infection control team rounds, nurse-driven protocol, and the use of Foley catheter bundles. Measures should be undertaken to prioritize these practices as part of a protocol. We advocate further studies to evaluate these measures. Education programs for healthcare professionals concerning CAUTIs and its complications can be implemented to carry out the prevention methods efficiently.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None

Background: Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) have gained popularity in recent years for increasing morbidity and mortality in multiple healthcare settings. In fact, they are the most common type of healthcare-associated infection (HAI) in US hospitals, and they account for ~35% of HAIs. Objectives: At our institution, CAUTI rates were higher than the national average; therefore, various preventative protocols were implemented. Southeast Health’s Medical ICU (MICU) has taken many measures to decrease the CAUTI incidence. Methods: We conducted an observational study with a retrospective analysis of the data beginning in 2014 after a poor performance at prevention of CAUTIs as noted in the Leapfrog Hospital Survey. As part of improving prevention measures in MICU, we started a lean project in 2015 that primarily focused on systems-based practices and improvements in the existing nurse protocols. Results: We were successful in this endeavor and in August 2018 the Alabama Department of Public Health (ADPH) reported that we still lower than the national average in prevention of CAUTIs. This finding led us to tighten the protocols and to appoint 2 infection preventionists in the MICU. With the assistance of the infection preventionists, we were able to actively decrease indwelling catheter and device days with daily multidisciplinary rounds to access the necessity for catheter use. We also set monthly attainable targets and reinforced nurse driven protocols with educational in-service programs. One of the most significant additions was the introduction of female external catheters (Purewick) in December 2019 and male external catheters (Liberty) in May, 2019. Our results showed a significant reduction in the number of CAUTIs divided by number of Foley catheter days in the MICU from 32 of 7,435 in 2014 to 1 of 5,934 in 2019. We are excited to see reduction in the CAUTIs with our above measures. We will continue our measures to reach our target of 0 CAUTIs, and we plan to remain above the national average.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None

Background: The Surgical Care Improvement Project 9 (SCIP 9) mandates the removal of urinary catheters within 48 hours following surgery to reduce the risk of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs). Although patients with thoracic epidurals are not exempt from SCIP 9, these patients may be inherently different from other surgical patients. Early removal of Foley catheters may cause urinary retention and recatheterization, which in turn can lead to CAUTI or urethral trauma. Our hospital’s current policy is to allow Foley catheters to remain in place until the thoracic epidural is removed. The goal of our study was to identify and compare the rate of CAUTI in patients with thoracic epidural catheters to the rate of CAUTI in patients without thoracic epidural catheters Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients with and without thoracic epidurals who had Foley catheters during hospitalization from July 1, 2017, to May 31, 2019. We used descriptive statistics to compare CAUTI rates based on unit between the 2 groups of patients. Results: We identified 1,834 unique patients with thoracic epidurals and urinary catheters during the study period. We found 4 CAUTIs of 9,896 catheter days (0.4 CAUTIs per 1,000 catheter days) in patients with epidural catheters and 43 CAUTIs of 36,809 catheter days (1.17 CAUTI per 1,000 catheter days) in patients without thoracic epidurals for a rate ratio of 0.346 (95% CI, 0.1242– 0.9639; P < .03). We conducted a sensitivity analysis on a subset of patients admitted under the cardiothoracic service and compared the patients with Foley catheters with and without thoracic epidurals. In this subset, we found 1 CAUTI in 5,890 catheter days (0.17 CAUTI per 1,000 catheter days) in patients with thoracic epidurals and 4 CAUTIs in 9,429 catheter days (0.42 CAUTIs per 1,000 catheter days) in patients without thoracic epidurals), for a rate of 0.4002 (95% CI, 0.0447–3.5808; P < .39). In this subgroup, 7.0% of patients with thoracic epidurals required a second Foley catheter compared to 16.9% of patients without thoracic epidurals who required a second Foley catheter (P < .01). Conclusions: Although patients with thoracic epidurals maintain Foley catheters beyond 48 hours, the CAUTI rate in these patients is lower than in patients without thoracic epidurals. Therefore, removing Foley catheters within 48 hours of surgery in patients with thoracic epidurals may not reduce the risk of CAUTI and, in fact, could be harmful. Further evaluation of confounding variables is warranted.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None

Background: Documented transmission of infectious agents involving dental care is uncommon. However, increasing attention to dental infection control, along with several recent outbreaks, have identified infection control gaps in dental settings. We describe CDC consultations involving outbreaks or infection control lapses occurring in dental settings to identify areas for prevention efforts. Methods: We reviewed internal CDC records from January 1, 2010, through October 1, 2019, to identify consultations involving investigations of potential or confirmed disease transmission and infection control lapses in dental settings. We determined yearly number of consultations, number of patients infected, how disease transmission or infection control breaches were identified, suspected mode of transmission, type of infection control breaches identified, and whether at-risk patients were notified. Results: We identified 41 consultations, among 27 states, involving investigation of possible disease transmission or infection control lapses in dental facilities. The number of consultations increased from 11 to 30 between the first half (2010–2014) and the second half (2015–2019) of the period and involved at least 113 infections confirmed or suspected to be associated with dental procedures. Most investigations (n = 29, 71%) began with identification of infection control breaches absent known patient infections; 8 (20%) investigations were initiated after identification of a single patient infection raised concerns for possible transmission associated with dental care (eg, single case of acute hepatitis B infection absent other risk factors). Moreover, 4 investigations involved >1 patient infection; 3 were outbreaks confirmed to be due to poor infection control practices. The most common infection control breaches were lapses in dental instrument reprocessing (n = 28, 78%), for example, failure to sterilize dental handpieces or failure to use biologic indicators. Of the 23 consultations where patient notification activities were discussed, 17 (74%) resulted in notification; >20,000 patients received information about their potential exposure, usually accompanied by advice on seeking screening tests. Conclusions: Dental-related consultations have increased in recent years, and they highlight the need for improved infection control training of dental healthcare personnel, especially related to dental instrument reprocessing. The CDC Division of Oral Health and the Organization for Safety, Asepsis, and Prevention offers tools, training, and other resources to help dental facilities improve infection control practices. Not all investigations resulted in notifying at-risk patients, but notification should be strongly considered, especially when serious breaches are identified, to promote transparency and help identify disease transmission that could otherwise go undetected.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None

Background: Since 2015 the rate of healthcare facility-onset Clostridium difficile infections (HO CDI) at Faxton-St Luke’s Healthcare (FSLH) has remained higher than both New York state and federal benchmarks, despite the use of traditional prevention efforts. Methods: We used the define-measure-analyze-improve-control (DMAIC) process improvement model to better understand the reasons that our rates remained high and to develop a comprehensive reduction strategy.

• • Define: High HO CDI rates. NHSN SIR consistently above 1.0

• • Measure

• • Diagnostic stewardship. Are patients being tested appropriately?

• • Antibiotic stewardship: Do prescribing practices follow best-practice recommendations?

• • Environmental cleanliness: Are staff following standard and transmission based precautions? How effective are current cleaning practices? What is being done to limit contamination of the environment of care?

• • Perform a gap analysis of CDI prevention strategies at FSLH vs current best practice recommendations, emerging strategies in scientific literature and successful approaches at other health-care facilities.

• • Analyze

• • Staff do not have a clear understanding of symptoms and risk factors of CDI and often initiate testing inappropriately.

• • Overuse of broad spectrum antimicrobial agents. No antibiotic time outs. Limited Pharmacy staff available for auditing and feedback regarding prescribing practices.

• • UV disinfection system under-utilized. Shared patient care equipment not cleaned between uses. Delay in implementation of contact precautions. Lack of opportunities for patient hand hygiene.

• • Improve

• • Algorithms for screening and testing built into Electronic Medical Record Orders for testing coupled with orders for contact precautions

• • Align antimicrobial prescribing with best practice

• • Audit and reward compliance with UV light utilization, environmental cleaning Reduce shared patient care equipment, replace with disposable items

• • Provide products for patient hand hygiene

• • Implement marketing campaign to tie elements together

• • Control

• • Audit compliance with testing and isolation policies

• • Laboratory rejection of formed stools

• • Audit cleaning processes with adenosine triphosphate (ATP) monitor

• • Track ultraviolet light usage

Funding: None

Disclosures: None

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) after cerebrospinal fluids (CSF) shunt surgery is thought to be acquired intraoperatively. Biomaterial-associated infection can present up to 1 year after surgery, but many national systems have shortened follow-up to 90 days. We compared 3- versus 12-month follow-up periods to determine the nature of case ascertainment in the 2 periods. Methods: Participants of any age with placement of an internal CSF shunt or revision surgical manipulation of an existing internal shunt identified in the Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program (CNISP) participating hospitals between 2006 and 2018 were eligible. We excluded patients with external shunting devices or culture-positive CSF at the time of surgery. Patients were followed for 12 months after surgery for the primary outcome of a CSF infection with a positive CSF culture by review of laboratory and health records. Patients were categorized as adult (aged ≥18 years) or pediatric (aged < 18 years). The infection rate was expressed as the number of CSF shunt-associated infections divided by the number of shunt surgeries per 100 procedures. Results: In total, 325 patients (53% female) met inclusion criteria in 14 hospitals from 7 provinces were identified. Overall, 46.1% of surgeries were shunt revisions and 90.3% of shunts were ventriculoperitoneal. For pediatric patients, the median age was 0.7 years (IQR, 0.2–7.0). For adult patients, the median age was 47.9 years (IQR, 29.6–64.6). The SSI rates per 100 procedures were 3.69 for adults and 3.65 for pediatrics. The overall SSI rates per 100 procedures at 3 and 12 months were 2.74 (n = 265) and 3.48 (n = 323), respectively. By 3 months (90 days), 82% of infection cases were identified (Fig. 1). The median time from procedure to SSI detection was 30 days (IQR, 10–65). No difference was found in the microbiology of the shunt infections at 3- and 12-month follow-ups. The most common pathogens were coagulase-negative Staphylococcus (43.6 %), followed by S. aureus (24.8 %) and Propionibacterium spp (6.5 %). No differences in age distribution, gender, surgery type (new or revision), shunt type, or infecting organisms were observed when 3- and 12-month periods were compared. Conclusions: CSF-SSI surveillance for 3 versus 12 months would capture 82.0% (95% CI, 77.5–86.0) of cases, with no significant differences in the patient characteristics, surgery types, or pathogens. A 3-month follow-up can reduce resources and allow for more timely reporting of infection rates.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None

Background: As the population of older Americans with chronic conditions continues to grow, the role of home health care (HHC) services in improving care transitions between acute care and independent living has become a national priority. Infection prevention and control (IPC) is often a focus of quality improvement initiatives at HHC agencies. In this study, we investigated barriers and facilitators of effective IPC in HHC. Methods: In 2018, we conducted in-depth, telephone interviews with 41 staff from 13 agencies across the United States including administrators, IPC and quality improvement personnel, registered nurses and HHC aides. Interview transcripts were coded in NVivo v 12 software (QSR International), and themes were identified using content analysis. Results: We identified 4 themes: (1) IPC as a priority, (2) uniqueness of home health care, (3) importance of education, and (4) keys to success and innovation. When discussing the top priorities in the agency, participants described IPC as a big part of patient safety and as playing a major role in reducing rates of rehospitalization. Protection of patients and staff was described as a major motivator for compliance with IPC policies and procedures, and agencies placed specific focus on improving hand hygiene, bag technique, and disinfection of equipment. Almost all participants described the uniqueness of providing health care in a patient’s home, which was often talked about as an unpredictable environment due to lack of cleanliness, presence of pets and/or pests, and family dynamics. Furthermore, the intermittent nature of HHC was described as affecting effective implementation of IPC procedures. Education was seen as a tool to improve and overcome patient, caregiver, and families’ lack of compliance with IPC procedures. However, to be effective educators and role models, participants stated that they themselves needed to be properly educated on IPC policies and procedures. Several keys to success and innovation were discussed including (1) agency reputation as a key driver of quality; (2) agency focus on quality and patient satisfaction; (3) using agency infection data to improve the quality of patient care; (4) utilizing all available resources within and outside of the agency, and (5) a coordinated approach to patient care with direct, multimodal communication among all clinical disciplines. Conclusions: This qualitative work identified barriers to effective infection prevention and control in HHC and important facilitators that HHC agencies can use to improve implementation of policies and procedures to improve patient care.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None

Background:Candida auris is an emerging nosocomial fungal pathogen causing invasive illness and outbreaks worldwide. A major issue regarding C. auris is that it can be misidentified unless appropriate technology is used. We conducted a survey of available methods for identification of C. auris in 21 hospital laboratories in India regarding their protocols for prevention of C. auris infection. Methods: The survey was an adaptation of a similar survey conducted for the Connecticut Laboratory Response Network in 2017. We mailed the survey to 30 microbiologists and ID physicians, and 21 of them from 12 states responded. All respondents were from private acute-care and teaching hospitals. The responses were analyzed and compared to the Connecticut study. Results: Of 21 hospitals, 19 (90.5%) can identify C. auris in house. Also, 18 (85.7%) have identified C. auris in the past 18 months. Species level identification was done only for blood cultures in all hospitals. Only 5 (26%) laboratories speciated Candida spp isolated from other sites such as respiratory and urinary specimens. Automated systems were used like Vitek 2 in 16 (84.2%), Phoenix BD in 2(10.5%) and Microscan in 1(5.26%) laboratory. MALDI-TOF MS and PCR for identification were used in 2 laboratories. Antifungal susceptibility testing is done in-house in 19 (90.5%) laboratories. Only 10 (52.6%) responding hospitals from India had infection prevention protocols for C. auris, and 9 (47.4%) of them isolated patients. The major challenges for infection prevention with C. auris are absence of screening in high-risk patients (66.7%), misidentification by automated systems (84.2%), and inability to speciate from nonsterile sites underestimates the prevalence (100%). Conclusions: There is an urgent need to enhance the capacity of hospital laboratories to detect C. auris early, and to implement infection prevention measures. In both studies early detection is the key and as suggested by the US authors, challenges can be overcome through collaboration between hospitals and referral laboratories when resources are limited. This optimizes laboratory capacity and prevents global spread through colonized patients. The limitation of this study is that data from public hospitals are unknown and larger studies are needed.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None

Background: Regional changes in United States C. difficile infection (CDI) are not well understood but important for targeting prevention strategies. Methods: Community-onset (CO) CDI was defined as positive C. difficile stool tests collected on or before hospital day 3 (where admission was day 1), reported by acute-care hospitals to the CDC NHSN over 3 years: year 1, July 1, 2015–June 30, 2016; year 2, July 1, 2016–June 30, 2017; year 3, July 1, 2017–June 30, 2018. Healthcare facility-onset CDI (HO-CDI) was similarly defined but with stool collection after hospital day 3. Hospital referral regions (HRRs) were defined by the Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care, and they represent 306 healthcare markets. Standardized infection ratios (SIRs) were calculated using separate multivariable models for (1) CO-CDI events in an emergency department/observation unit (ED/Obs), (2) CO-CDI events among inpatients, and (3) HO-CDI, accounting for facility-level factors, They resulted in ratios of observed to predicted infections, similar to established methods. SIRs were pooled within each facility to create a hospital-identified SIR by summing observed and predicted events for CO-CDI events in both testing locations and HO-CDI events, then pooled by HRR by summing all facility observed and predicted events within the region. Data from facilities not within an HRR were excluded. Results: Total CO-CDI (ED/Obs and inpatient) and HO-CDI events decreased, even as the number of reporting facilities slightly increased over the 3-year period (Fig. 1). Among 306 HRRs in year 3, the median number of hospitals was 10 (IQR, 6–17), with a median of 526 (IQR, 272–1,002) hospital-identified CDI events per HRR. Variables significantly associated with CDI incident rate and included in SIR models 1–3 included C. difficile test type, hospital type, teaching affiliation, hospital bed size, and presence of an ED/Obs unit. Intensive care unit capacity was included in models 2 and 3, and the ratio of hospital admissions to emergency department encounters in model 1. Pooled mean HRR hospital-identified C. difficile SIRs decreased each year (0.972, 0.914, and 0.838), and decreases also varied by HRR (Fig. 2). Conclusions: National decreases in a combined hospital-identified C. difficile SIR are widespread but may be more aggregated in particular regions. Although SIR adjustments were limited to facility-level factors, aggregation of CDI SIR by HRR may be useful for infection preventionists and public health authorities to further understand regional CDI patterns.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None

Background: The NHSN is the nation’s most widely used healthcare-associated infection surveillance system. Nearly all acute-care hospitals reporting to the NHSN do so in fulfillment of state mandates and/or as required for participation in the CMS Quality Reporting program, since 2011. All NHSN-participating acute-care hospitals (ACHs) reporting in the Patient Safety Component are required to complete an annual survey and to self-report on the hospital’s general characteristics, including hospital size and type, and patient volume. Due to the compulsory nature of the survey, the NHSN receives nearly a 100% completion rate each year. Furthermore, hospital-level characteristics are often used by the CDC to develop risk-adjusted summary measures and national benchmarks. This study is the first to evaluate ACH characteristics over an 11-year period. Methods: All ACHs that completed an annual survey during 2008–2018 were included. The data were divided into subsets to evaluate consistent reporters, defined as facilities that were enrolled in 2008 and completed surveys through 2018. Medical teaching status is defined as a facility that trains either medical students, nursing students, residents and fellows. Medical teaching status is grouped into 3 categories: (1) undergraduate facility that trains medical school students, (2) graduate facility that trains residents or fellows, and (3) major facility that trains both medical and residents or fellows. We used univariate analyses to assess characteristics of acute-care hospitals (ACHs). Results: Overall, the number of ACHs enrolled in the NHSN increased by 119%, from 1,772 in 2008 to 3,883 in 2018. More general acute-care hospitals (89%) were enrolled than all other facility types, with women’s and children’s hospitals were the least frequently enrolled (0.34%). Hospitals with any level of medical teaching status, increased from 38.5% in 2008 to 60% in 2018 (Fig. 1). We observed a modest reduction in the median hospital bed size of 20 beds. When reviewing hospital bed size by category, ACHs with 51–200 beds made up the largest proportion of hospitals and the number of hospitals within this bed size category has remained above 1,500 since 2010. Conclusions: Among all ACHs, the proportion of hospitals affiliated with a medical school increased over the 10-year period. Although hospitals with a major teaching status had been steadily increasing, there were more hospitals using this designation after 2013. Despite the increase in the number of hospitals reporting to NHSN, since 2011, the proportion of hospitals within each bed size category has seen minimal change.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None

Background:Staphylococcus aureus has long been an important cause of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) and remains the second most common HAI pathogen in the United States. Often resistant to several antibiotics, S. aureus infections are difficult to treat and can leave patients at risk for serious complications such as pneumonia and sepsis. HAI pathogens and their antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) results have been reported to NHSN since its inception in 2005. Previous NHSN surveillance reports have presented national annual benchmarks for antimicrobial resistance phenotypes, such as methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Whether there have been any significant changes over time in the prevalence of methicillin resistance among S. aureus infections reported to NHSN has not been previously assessed. Methods:S. aureus AST data from central-line–associated bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and inpatient surgical site infections reported from acute-care hospitals between 2009 and 2018 were analyzed. S. aureus was defined as MRSA if it was reported as resistant to oxacillin, cefoxitin, or methicillin. A national percentage resistant (%R) was calculated for each year as the number of resistant pathogens divided by the number of pathogens tested for susceptibility multiplied by 100. A generalized linear mixed model with logistic function was created to evaluate annual changes in the percentage resistant. Several patient-level and hospital-level characteristics were assessed as potential covariates. To account for differential baseline %R values between individual hospitals, specification of random intercept and slope were used during model creation. Differences in the trend of %R between HAI types were assessed using interaction terms. Data were analyzed using SAS v 9.3 software, and P < .05 was considered significant. Results: Overall, 3,317 hospitals reported at least 1 S. aureus pathogen tested for susceptibility between 2009 and 2018. The national unadjusted %R decreased from 49.2% (2009) to 41.2% (2018), with similar decreases seen in each HAI type (Table 1). After adjusting for significant covariates, a statistically significant annual 3% decrease in the prevalence of resistance was observed (Fig. 1). Significant differences between HAI types did not exist. Conclusions: The percentage of healthcare-associated S. aureus resistant to oxacillin, cefoxitin, or methicillin has declined consistently over the past 10 years. Continued efforts in infection prevention and antimicrobial stewardship are vital to sustaining this decline.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None

Background: Inappropriate ordering of urine cultures and the resulting unnecessary use of antibiotics can lead to complications of antimicrobial therapy including resistance, adverse effects (eg, disruption of microbiome and C. difficile infection), and increased healthcare costs, as well as the erroneous determination of CAUTI in patients with Foley catheters. A retrospective analysis of patients with CAUTI revealed frequent ordering of urine cultures for conditions and symptoms not supported by current IDSA guidelines. As a result, we created an action plan to reverse the trend of inappropriate urine culture ordering. Methods: Our urine culture reduction campaign was developed with input from the infectious disease service, antibiotic stewardship team (AST), infection prevention, pharmacy, and the microbiology service. The following educational efforts were included: (1) distribution of outpatient pocket cards with communication to providers about appropriate ordering of urine cultures; (2) creation of an evidence-based order set for urinalysis and urine cultures distributed electronically as emails and screensavers on computer stations and in person via didactic sessions with physicians and nursing staff; (3) a practice pointer for staff nurses that included recommended changes to urine culture ordering and encouraged open dialogue with physicians regarding the appropriateness of urine cultures; (4) didactic and personal communications to counter long-standing myths, such as “Urine cultures always for change in mental status”; (5) a peer-review process to evaluate and justify deviations from the testing algorithm.

Results: The first and second months after the introduction of the campaign, the microbiology laboratory reported 23% and 37% reductions in urine cultures ordered, respectively. During the same period, a 48% reduction in CAUTIs was reported for the entire health system. Conclusions: Reducing the number of inappropriate urine cultures is achievable with intense communication utilizing a multifaceted approach. With continued educational activities, we expect to sustain and even improve our successful reduction of inappropriate urine culture orders, ultimately improving patient outcomes.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None

Background:Candida auris is of global concern due to its increasing frequency in intensive care units (ICUs), reported resistance to antifungal agents, propensity to cause outbreaks, and persistence in clinical environments. We investigated an increase in C. auris cases in an ICU in Kenya to determine the source of transmission and to control the spread of the disease. Methods: To identify cases, we reviewed laboratory records of patients with blood cultures yielding C. auris and organisms for which it is commonly misidentified by Vitek 2 v 8.01 software (ie, C. haemulonii, C. duobushaemulonii and C. famata) during January 2018–May 2019. We retrospectively reviewed medical charts of C. auris patients to extract information on demographics, underlying conditions, hospital procedures, treatments, and outcomes. We also enhanced infection control efforts by implementing contact precautions, equipment, and environmental disinfection, and hand hygiene training and compliance observations. Results: We identified 32 C. auris patients (Fig. 1). Median patient age was 55 years (IQR, 43–65), and 57% were male. Length of hospitalization before C. auris isolation was 30 days (IQR, 14–36). All had been admitted to the ICU. The most common reasons for admission were sepsis (50%), pneumonia (34%), surgery (25%), and stroke or other neurologic diagnosis (25%). Underlying comorbidities included hypertension (38%), diabetes mellitus (25%), and malignancy (29%). Two patients had HIV. Moreover, 61% of cultures yielded multidrug-resistant bacteria. Also, 33% of the patients had been admitted to this hospital in the preceding 3 months; 21% had been admitted to a hospital outside of Kenya; and 10% had been admitted to another hospital in Kenya in the previous year. Almost all (97%) had a central venous catheter, 45% had an acute dialysis catheter, 66% had an endotracheal tube, and 34% had a tracheostomy, with 69% receiving mechanical ventilation before C. auris isolation. Most (94%) had urinary catheters, 84% had nasogastric tubes, 91% had received total parenteral nutrition, and 75% had received blood products. All patients received broad-spectrum antibiotics and 49% received an antifungal before C. auris isolation. All-cause in-hospital mortality was 64% for the 28 patients whose outcomes were available. Following implementation of a hand hygiene campaign and improved equipment and environmental disinfection, no further cases were identified. Conclusions: We identified C. auris bloodstream infections associated with high all-cause mortality in a Kenyan hospital ICU. All patients had treatments and procedures suggesting severe underlying illness. Enhanced infection control contained the outbreak.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None

Background: Candidemia is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Although risk factors for candidemia and other bloodstream infections (BSIs) overlap, little is known about patient characteristics and the outcomes of polymicrobial infections. We used data from the CDC Emerging Infections Program (EIP) candidemia surveillance to describe polymicrobial candidemia infections and to assess clinical differences compared with Candida-only BSIs. Methods: During January 2017–December 2017 active, population-based candidemia surveillance was conducted in 45 counties in 9 states covering ~6% of the US population through the CDC EIP. A case was defined as a blood culture with Candida spp in a surveillance-area resident; a blood culture >30 days from the initial culture was considered a second case. Demographic and clinical characteristics were abstracted from medical records by trained EIP staff. We examined characteristics of polymicrobial cases, in which Candida and ≥1 non-Candida organism were isolated from a blood specimen on the same day, and compared these to Candida-only cases using logistic regression or t tests using SAS v 9.4 software. Results: Of the 1,221 candidemia cases identified during 2017, 215 (10.2%) were polymicrobial. Among polymicrobial cases, 50 (23%) involved ≥3 organisms. The most common non-Candida organisms were Staphylococcus epidermidis (n = 30, 14%), Enterococcus faecalis (n = 26, 12%), Enterococcus faecium (n = 17, 8%), and Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (n = 15 each, 7%). Patients with polymicrobial cases were significantly younger than those with Candida-only cases (54.3 vs 60.7 years; P < .0004). Healthcare exposures commonly associated with candidemia like total parenteral nutrition (relative risk [RR], 0.82; 95% CI, 0.60–1.13) and surgery (RR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.77–1.29) were similar between the 2 groups. Polymicrobial cases had shorter median time from admission to positive culture (1 vs 4 days, P < .001), were more commonly associated with injection drug use (RR, 1.95; 95% CI, 1.46–2.61), and were more likely to be community onset-healthcare associated (RR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.50–2.44). Polymicrobial cases were associated with shorter hospitalization (14 vs 17 days; P = .031), less ICU care (RR, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.51–0.83), and lower mortality (RR, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.50–0.92). Conclusions: One in 10 candidemia cases were polymicrobial, with nearly one-quarter of those involving ≥3 organisms. Lower mortality among polymicrobial cases is surprising but may reflect the younger age and lower severity of infection of this population. Greater injection drug use, central venous catheter use, and long-term care exposures among polymicrobial cases suggest that injection or catheter practices play a role in these infections and may guide prevention opportunities.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None

Background: Ventilator-associated event (VAE) reporting to the CDC NHSN began in 2013. VAE reporting from long-term care hospitals (LTCHs) to the NHSN was required from January 2016 through September 2018 as part of the CMS LTCH Quality Reporting Program (QRP). We describe the incidence and characteristics of LTCH VAEs during the required reporting period. Methods: We analyzed VAE data reported to the NHSN from January 2016 through December 2018, from the LTCH ward and critical care locations participating in surveillance according to the NHSN protocol. We have described characteristics of VAE, and we determined the distribution of VAE types: ventilator-associated conditions (VAC), infection-related ventilator-associated complications (IVAC), and possible ventilator-associated pneumonia (PVAP). Furthermore, we calculated pooled mean VAE rates per 1,000 ventilator days, and we determined the rate distributions for locations with ≥20 units reporting >50 ventilator days per year. Results: Overall, 493 LTCHs reported 22,359 location months of VAE data from ward and critical care locations. In total, 5,290 VAEs were reported, of which 3,871 (73%) were VAC, 961 (18%) were IVAC, and 458 (9%) were PVAP. Also, 42% (2,241) of VAEs occurred in female patients, and 1,305 (25%) occurred in patients who died during their hospitalization. The median time from LTCH admission to VAE onset was 18 days (IQR, 9–37), and from initiation of mechanical ventilation to VAE onset was 22 days (IQR, 10–43). Pathogens were identified from 454 PVAPs, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (43% of PVAPs) and Staphylococcus aureus (26%) being the most common organisms. Annual pooled mean incidence rates in critical care locations ranged from 2.11 to 2.62 VAEs per 1,000 ventilator days, whereas rates in ward locations ranged from 1.36 to 1.67 VAEs per 1,000 ventilator days (Table 1). Conclusions: During a period of required reporting, pooled mean LTCH VAE rates remained low. Most VAEs in LTCHs were reported as VACs. Additional work is needed to understand the clinical events associated with LTCH VAE, including whether most VAEs truly represent non–infection-related events or reflect limited evaluation to identify infection-related complications. This distinction might influence the identification of appropriate interventions to reduce LTCH VAE rates.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None

Background: Mechanical ventilation is a life-saving measure for patients with respiratory failure; however, these patients are at high risk for complications and poor outcomes. Surveillance for ventilator-associated events (VAEs) via the CDC NHSN began in 2013 in adult patient care locations in hospitals. Pediatric ventilator-associated event (PedVAE) surveillance began in January 2019. The PedVAE definition is based on increases in mean airway pressure (MAP) or fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2). We summarized the first 9 months of PedVAE data reported to the NHSN. Methods: Neonatal and pediatric locations of US acute-care hospitals, long-term acute-care hospitals, and inpatient rehabilitation facilities were eligible to participate in PedVAE surveillance as of January 1, 2019. When submitting PedVAEs to the NHSN, facilities may also optionally report information about antimicrobials, pathogens, and clinical events associated with PedVAEs. We analyzed PedVAE data from January through September 2019 submitted by facilities participating in surveillance according to the NHSN protocol. We calculated pooled mean incidence rates (no. events per 1,000 ventilator days) for neonatal and pediatric intensive care units (NICUs and PICUs), and we describe characteristics of PedVAEs. Results: Overall, 205 PedVAEs were reported: 111 events from 147 NICUs in 140 facilities and 94 events from 117 PICUs in 85 facilities. The pooled mean incidence was 1.61 events per 1,000 ventilator days in level 2 and 3 NICUs, 1.09 events per 1,000 ventilator days in level III NICUs, and 1.25 events per 1,000 ventilator days in PICUs. Of 205 PedVAEs, 133 (65%) met only the MAP criterion, 65 (32%) met only the FiO2 criterion, and 7 (3%) met both. Optional data on antimicrobials, pathogens, and clinical events were reported for 74 of 205 PedVAEs (36%). Among these 74 events, antimicrobial administration was common (50 of 74, 68%). By contrast, a minority had a pathogen reported (21 of 74, 28%). Of 74 PedVAEs, 60 were associated with a clinical event (80%), although only 15 (20%) were reported to be associated with a clinical infection. Of 74 PedVAEs, 4 (5%) were associated with mechanical ventilation weaning. Conclusions: PedVAE incidence rates are low in NICUs and PICUs. Most PedVAEs appear to be associated with clinical events. Although a minority of PedVAEs were associated with infections or pathogens, antimicrobial administration was reported for >60%. Further evaluation of the clinical correlates of PedVAEs can inform development of effective prevention and antimicrobial stewardship in mechanically ventilated children.

Funding: None

Disclosures: Cheri Grigg, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Background: Prevention of central-line–associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections requires a multifaceted approach including strategies to decrease cutaneous bacterial colonization. Prior studies have shown benefit from chlorhexidine-gluconate (CHG) skin application on CLABSI and MRSA infection rates in intensive care units (ICUs); however, the use of CHG in the non-ICU population has not been well studied. Methods: We performed a quasi-experimental before-and-after study to evaluate the use of daily 2% CHG wipes in non-ICU patients at a 1,000 bed acute-care teaching hospital beginning in November 2017. The study population included adult and pediatric patients with central venous catheters on non-ICU units, excluding patients on the following units: stem cell transplant and hematologic malignancy (these units had already established use of CHG skin application as a standard prior to the intervention), labor and delivery, and psychiatry. CHG was applied according to the manufacturer’s instruction by nurses or nurse aides and random monthly auditing of compliance was performed. NHSN CLABSI, hospital-onset MRSA bacteremia, and hospital-onset MRSA LabID rates were compared for the period 24 months before the intervention (November 1, 2015, through October 31, 2017) to the 24-month period after the intervention (November 1, 2017, through October 31, 2019) using a paired t test. Notably, the health system also discontinued the use of contact precautions for patients with MRSA (excluding MRSA from open, draining wounds) 11 months prior to onset of this intervention. Results: The CLABSI rate decreased by 26% from 0.594 events per 1,000 central-line days (n = 50) before the intervention to 0.438 events per 1,000 central-line days (n = 38) after the intervention (P = 0.19). The number of CLABSIs with gram-positive organisms also decreased by 29%. MRSA LabID rates decreased by 37% from 0.301 events per 1,000 patient days (n = 119) to 0.189 events per 1,000 patient days (n = 75) (P = 0.01). MRSA bacteremia rates decreased by 79% from 0.058 events per 1,000 patient days (n = 23) to 0.012 events per 1,000 patient days (n = 5) (P < 0.01). Compliance with the intervention was 83% (n = 225). Conclusions: Daily CHG skin application in non-ICU patients with central venous catheters is an effective strategy to prevent CLABSIs and MRSA infections. We observed a decrease in MRSA LabID and bacteremia rates despite discontinuation of contact precautions. These findings suggest that a horizontal prevention approach of daily CHG skin application may be an effective alternative to contact isolation to interrupt transmission of MRSA in hospitalized patients outside the ICU setting.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None

Background: Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) are associated with significant morbidity and mortality. We aimed to determine the effectiveness of chlorhexidine (CHG) dressings in preventing incident CRBSI in different settings and types of catheters. Methods: We searched PubMed, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov through March 2019 for studies with the following inclusion criteria: (1) population consisted of patients requiring short or long-term catheters; (2) CHG dressing was used in the intervention group and a nonantimicrobial impregnated dressing was used in the control group; (3) CRBSI was reported as an outcome. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies were included. We used a random-effect models to obtain pooled OR estimates. Heterogeneity was evaluated with I 2 test and the Cochran Q statistic. Results: The review included 21 studies (17 RCTs). The use of CHG dressings was associated with a lower incidence of CRBSI (pooled RR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.53–0.76). There was no evidence of publication bias. In stratified analyses, CHG dressing reduced CRBSI in ICU adult patients (9 studies, pRR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.38–0.72) and adults with oncohematological disease (3 studies, pRR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.35–0.81) but not in neonates and pediatric populations (6 studies, pRR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.57–1.40). When stratified by type of catheter, CHG dressing remained protective against CRBSI in short-term venous catheters (11 studies, pRR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.48–0.88) but not in long-term catheters (3 studies, pRR, 0.76:; 95% CI, 0.19–3.06). Other subgroup analyses are shown in Table 1. Conclusions: CHG dressings reduce the incidence of CRBSI, particularly in adult ICU patients and adults with an onco-hematological disease. Future studies need to evaluate the benefit of CHG in non-ICU settings, in neonates and pediatric populations, and in long-term catheters.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None

Background: The electrophysiology laboratory within the cardiac procedures unit (CPU) at Michigan Medicine specializes in implanting, exchanging, and extracting cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIED). During routine surveillance of surgical site infections (SSI), an increase in CIED infections (specifically endocarditis) was noted starting in 2016. The predominant organisms involved with infection were skin organisms such as Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative Staphylococcus. Methods: Cases of SSI following CIED implantation were identified using positive microbiology results collected within 90 days of a procedure. Cases were classified using the NHSN SSI definitions. Upon identifying an increase in infections, a work group of key stakeholders was formed to determine root causes. Factors discussed included standardized surgical skin preparation techniques, patient education regarding bathing before and after procedures, types of surgical drapes in use, traffic in and out of procedure rooms during cases, environmental cleanliness of the procedure area, and adherence to the institutional surgical attire policy. In addition to the workgroup, several cases were observed by the IP team. Results: The investigation revealed several areas for improvement. As a first step, a practice of using 2% chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG)–impregnated bathing clothes on patients prior to surgery was implemented for the chest, neck, axilla, and arm. No other changes were implemented during this time period. In the year following implementation, there were zero cases of endocarditis and only 2 superficial SSIs (Figs. 1 and 2). Conclusions: Employing application of CHG to reduce the microbial burden on the skin significantly aided in preventing infections related to CIEDs.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None

Background: Infections with extended-spectrum β-lactamase–producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) in nonoutbreak settings have not demonstrated the presence of dominant strains. Our objective was to determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, and genetic characteristics of ESBL-E infections among a group of Canadian children. Methods: From 2012 through 2017, patients aged ≤18 years with first-episode ESBL-E infections who presented at a pediatric center were reviewed. All clinical isolates were phenotypically identified in the laboratory as ESBL-producers. Demographic and clinical data were collected, including comorbid conditions, presence of devices, and previous antibacterial exposure. Community-associated infection was defined as a positive culture from a sterile site within the first 48 hours of hospital admission and no healthcare exposure during the preceding year. Isolates were sent to the Public Health Ontario Laboratory for whole-genome sequencing. Multilocus sequence typing was used to determine clonal relationship. Results: During the study period, 102 patients were identified with first-episode ESBL-E infection, and the proportion of ESBL-E isolates among all clinical isolates of E. coli and Klebsiella spp increased from 0.6% to 2.6% between 2012 and 2017, respectively (P = .001). The median age was 1 year (interquartile range, 0.8–5 years). Women comprised 66% of cases. No comorbid conditions were noted among 58 patients (57%), and 24% had previous antibiotic exposure, most frequently a cephalosporin (16%). ESBL-E was most frequently isolated in the urine (91%) and least frequently in the blood (2.2%) and was predominantly Escherichia coli (90%). Infection was most frequently diagnosed in the outpatient setting (61%); there were 11 healthcare-associated infections. Whole-genome sequencing of ESBL-E isolates revealed predominance of blaCTX-M-15 (63 isolates, 62%) and blaCTX-M-27 (16%) genes, and sequence type (ST) 131 (41%). Mutations conferring fluoroquinolone nonsusceptibility were noted among 62 isolates (61%), most frequently associated with ST131 (38 of 62 isolates, 61%) and among all 5 isolates with ST1193, an emerging multidrug-resistant E. coli clone. In addition, 15 patients had recurrence of ESBL-E infection at median of 113 days (IQR, 26–208); blaCTX-M-27 was found in 33% of recurrent infections compared to 12% of primary infections (P = 0.045). Conclusions: This study is the first in Canada to provide whole-genome sequencing data regarding ESBL-E in a pediatric population. The gene blaCTX-M-15 and ST131 clone were predominant. More than 60% of infections were community associated and demonstrated cross resistance to fluoroquinolones. With 76% of infections in antibiotic-naïve children, ESBL-E is a public health concern, and a One Health approach is critical to understanding the epidemiology and curbing the spread of multidrug-resistant Enterobacteriaceae.

Funding: None

Disclosures: None