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 2017
An Evaluation of Antibiotic Prescribing Practices Upon Hospital Discharge.
We conducted a retrospective study of the appropriateness of antimicrobial agents prescribed on discharge from an acute care hospital. Seventy percent of discharge antibiotics were inappropriate in antibiotic drug choice, dose, or duration. Our findings suggest there is a significant need for antimicrobial stewardship at transitions in care. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:353-355.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Feb 2017
Acceptability and Necessity of Training for Optimal Personal Protective Equipment Use.
Healthcare workers routinely self-contaminate even when using personal protective equipment. Observations of donning/ doffing practices on inpatient units along with surveys were used to assess the need for a personal protective equipment training program. In contrast to low perceived risk, observed doffing behaviors demonstrate significant personal protective equipment technique deficits. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:226-229.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Feb 2017
Multicenter StudyInterrater Reliability of Surveillance for Ventilator-Associated Events and Pneumonia.
OBJECTIVE To compare interrater reliabilities for ventilator-associated event (VAE) surveillance, traditional ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) surveillance, and clinical diagnosis of VAP by intensivists. DESIGN A retrospective study nested within a prospective multicenter quality improvement study. SETTING Intensive care units (ICUs) within 5 hospitals of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Epicenters. ⋯ The clinical correlation between VAE surveillance and intensivists' clinical assessments was poor. CONCLUSIONS Prospective surveillance using VAE criteria is more reliable than traditional VAP surveillance and clinical VAP diagnosis; the correlation between VAEs and clinically recognized pulmonary deterioration is poor. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:172-178.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Feb 2017
Disposable Bronchoscope Model for Simulating Endoscopic Reprocessing and Surveillance Cultures.
BACKGROUND Endoscope-associated infections are reported despite following proper reprocessing methods. Microbiological testing can confirm the adequacy of endoscope reprocessing. Multiple controversies related to the method and interpretation of microbiological testing cultures have arisen that make their routine performance a complex target. ⋯ Ethylene oxide sterilization did not result in total elimination of viable bacteria. CONCLUSION Routine endoscopy cultures may be required to assess the adequacy of endoscopic processing. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:136-142.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Feb 2017
Revisiting the WHO "How to Handrub" Hand Hygiene Technique: Fingertips First?
Hands are implicated in the cross transmission of microbial pathogens and fingertips are the crux of the problem. A modified World Health Organization "How to Handrub" 6-step technique with "Fingertips First" showed greater efficacy than the standard technique in reducing fingertip contamination, potentially improving hand hygiene action quality. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2017;38:230-233.