American journal of infection control
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Am J Infect Control · Jul 2014
Impact of daily chlorhexidine baths and hand hygiene compliance on nosocomial infection rates in critically ill patients.
Up to 25% of all nosocomial infections (NIs) develop in critically ill patients. Our objective was to evaluate chlorhexidine (CHX) bathing and hand hygiene (HH) compliance in the reduction of NIs in the intensive care unit. ⋯ The combined intervention reduced global and specific infection rates, including rates of VAP associated with A baumannii and CAUTI associated with Candida spp.
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Am J Infect Control · Jul 2014
Video observation to map hand contact and bacterial transmission in operating rooms.
Hand hygiene (HH) is considered a primary intervention to avoid transmission of bacteria in health care settings and to prevent health care-associated infections. Despite efforts to decrease the incidence of health care-associated infections by improving HH, HH compliance rates vary widely depending on the hospital environment. ⋯ Compliance with current HH recommendations by anesthesia providers is not feasible. However, there does appear to be a correlation between HH compliance rates and bacterial contamination of the AWE, an observation that should stimulate further work to design new methods for control of bacterial transmission in operating rooms.
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Am J Infect Control · Jul 2014
Sustained reduction of central line-associated bloodstream infections outside the intensive care unit with a multimodal intervention focusing on central line maintenance.
Central venous catheter use is common outside the intensive care units (ICUs), but prevention in this setting is not well studied. We initiated surveillance for central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) outside the ICU setting and studied the impact of a multimodal intervention on the incidence of CLABSIs across multiple hospitals. ⋯ A multipronged approach blending both the adaptive and technical aspects of care including front line engagement, education, execution of best practices, and evaluation of both process and outcome measures may provide an effective strategy for reducing CLABSI rates outside the ICU.
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Am J Infect Control · Jul 2014
Trends in racial/ethnic disparities in influenza vaccination coverage among adults during the 2007-08 through 2011-12 seasons.
Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all persons aged ≥6 months. The objective of this study was to assess trends in racial/ethnic disparities in influenza vaccination coverage among adults in the United States. ⋯ Influenza vaccination coverage among most racial/ethnic groups increased from the 2007-08 through the 2011-12 seasons, but substantial racial and ethnic disparities remained in most age groups. Targeted efforts are needed to improve coverage and reduce these disparities.
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Am J Infect Control · Jul 2014
Risk factors for development of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus-positive clinical culture in nasal carriers after decolonization treatment.
Active surveillance systems are effective in reducing health care-associated infections caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Nonetheless, some patients develop MRSA infection despite control measures. We tried to identify risk factors related to the appearance of MRSA at sites other than the nasal fossa in patients who were nasal carriers of MRSA. ⋯ In an active surveillance program for MRSA it is important to determine the mupirocin susceptibility of the isolates to determine appropriate treatment and to verify negativity after decolonizing treatment has been completed.