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 2001
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialOptimal frequency of changing intravenous administration sets: is it safe to prolong use beyond 72 hours?
To determine the safety and cost-effectiveness of replacing the intravenous (IV) tubing sets in hospitalized patients at 4- to 7-day intervals instead of every 72 hours. ⋯ In patients at low risk for infection from infusion- or catheter-related infection who are not receiving total parenteral nutrition, blood transfusions, or interleukin-2, delaying the replacement of IV tubing up to 7 days may be safe, as well as cost-effective
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Feb 2001
Impact of nosocomial infection on length of stay and functional improvement among patients admitted to an acute rehabilitation unit.
To identify factors predictive of length of stay (LOS) and the level of functional improvement achieved among patients admitted to an acute rehabilitation unit for the first time, with special reference to the role of nosocomial infection. ⋯ Several variables were identified as contributing to a longer LOS or to a smaller improvement in functional status among patients admitted for the first time to an acute rehabilitation unit. Of these variables, only nosocomial infection has the potential for modification. Studies of new approaches to prevent infections among patients undergoing acute rehabilitation should be pursued.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Dec 2000
Antibiotic-use screening evaluations (ABUSE) for physicians and patients: featuring prizes and penalties for physicians.
The excessive use of antibiotics in the United States has been well documented and is a result of the knowledge base and behaviors of not only prescribing physicians but also patients and caregivers. An antibiotic-use screening evaluation (ABUSE) was developed for each group to promote better awareness among all parties as to ways that they may be overusing antibiotics. The ABUSE questionnaires also serve as tools for confidential self-scoring evaluation of the extent of personal antibiotic misuse
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Aug 2000
Nosocomial infections in combined medical-surgical intensive care units in the United States.
To describe the epidemiology of nosocomial infections in combined medical-surgical (MS) intensive care units (ICUs) participating in the National Nosocomial Infection Surveillance (NNIS) System. ⋯ Nosocomial infections in MS ICUs at the most frequent infection sites (bloodstream, urinary, and respiratory tract) almost always were associated with use of an invasive device. Device-associated infection rates were the best available comparative rates between combined MS ICUs, but the distribution of device-associated rates should be stratified by a hospital's major teaching affiliation status.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Sep 1999
Comparative StudyBacterial contamination of hospital physicians' stethoscopes.
Because stethoscopes might be potential vectors of nosocomial infections, this study, conducted in a 450-bed general hospital, was devised to evaluate the bacterial contamination of stethoscopes; bacterial survival on stethoscope membranes; the kinetics of the bacterial load on stethoscope membranes during clinical use; and the efficacy of 70% alcohol or liquid soap for membrane disinfection. Among the 355 stethoscopes tested, 234 carried > or =2 different bacterial species; 31 carried potentially pathogenic bacteria. Although some bacteria deposited onto membranes could survive 6 to 18 hours, none survived after disinfection.