Infection control and hospital epidemiology : the official journal of the Society of Hospital Epidemiologists of America
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Mar 2021
Universal masking to control healthcare-associated transmission of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
To assess extent of a healthcare-associated outbreak of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and to evaluate the effectiveness of infection control measures, including universal masking. ⋯ Universal masking with medical face masks was effective in preventing further spread of SARS-CoV-2 in our facility in conjunction with other traditional infection prevention measures.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Mar 2021
Outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among operating room staff of a tertiary referral center: An epidemiologic and environmental investigation.
Investigate an outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among operating room staff utilizing contact tracing, mass testing for severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and environmental sampling. ⋯ Complacency in infection control practices among staff during peak community transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is believed to have driven staff-to-staff transmission. Prompt identification of the outbreak led to rapid interventions, ultimately allowing for uninterrupted surgical service.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Mar 2021
Healthcare workers' perception of a global outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) and personal protective equipment: Survey of a pediatric tertiary care hospital.
In this study, we aimed to capture perspectives of healthcare workers (HCWs) on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and infection prevention and control (IPAC) measures implemented during the early phase of the COVID-19 pandemic. ⋯ As part of their pandemic response plans, healthcare institutions should have ongoing training for HCWs that focus on appropriate PPE doffing and discussions around modes of transmission of COVID-19.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Mar 2021
The impact of beta-lactam allergy labels on hospitalized children.
Antibiotic allergy labels are common and are frequently inaccurate. Previous studies among adults demonstrate that β-lactam allergy labels may lead to adverse outcomes, including prescription of broader-spectrum antibiotics, increased costs, and increased lengths of stay, among others. However, data among pediatric patients are lacking, especially in the United States. In this study, we sought to determine the impact of β-lactam allergy labels in hospitalized children with regards to clinical and economic outcomes. ⋯ Hospitalized pediatric patients with β-lactam allergy labels receive broader-spectrum antibiotics and experience increased antibiotic costs. This represents an important opportunity for allergy delabeling and antibiotic stewardship.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Mar 2021
Impact of national guidelines for antimicrobial stewardship to reduce antibiotic use in upper respiratory tract infection and gastroenteritis.
To examine whether the issue and dissemination of national guidelines in the Manual of Antimicrobial Stewardship had an impact on reducing antibiotic use for acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI) and gastroenteritis. ⋯ Despite the issue of national guidelines to promote the appropriate use of antibiotics, there were no significant changes in trends of antibiotic use for outpatients with ARTI or gastroenteritis between the pre-issue and post-issue periods.