Infection control and hospital epidemiology : the official journal of the Society of Hospital Epidemiologists of America
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · May 2012
Comparative StudyComparison of the microbiological efficacy of hydrogen peroxide vapor and ultraviolet light processes for room decontamination.
To compare the microbiological efficacy of hydrogen peroxide vapor (HPV) and ultraviolet radiation (UVC) for room decontamination. ⋯ Both HPV and UVC reduce bacterial contamination, including spores, in patient rooms, but HPV is significantly more effective. UVC is significantly less effective for sites that are out of direct line of sight.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · May 2012
Statewide validation of hospital-reported central line-associated bloodstream infections: Oregon, 2009.
Mandatory reporting of healthcare-associated infections is common, but underreporting by hospitals limits meaningful interpretation. ⋯ Validating hospital CLABSI reporting improves accuracy of hospital-based CLABSI surveillance. Discussing discordant findings improves the quality of validation.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · May 2012
Improved risk adjustment in public reporting: coronary artery bypass graft surgical site infections.
The objective was to develop a new National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) risk model for sternal, deep incisional, and organ/space (complex) surgical site infections (SSIs) following coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) procedures, detected on admission and readmission, consistent with public reporting requirements. ⋯ Traditionally, the NHSN surveillance system has used a risk index to provide procedure-specific risk-stratified SSI rates to hospitals. A new CABG sternal, complex SSI risk model developed by multivariate analysis has improved predictive performance over the traditional NHSN risk index and is being considered for endorsement as a measure for public reporting.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Apr 2012
Audit and feedback to reduce broad-spectrum antibiotic use among intensive care unit patients: a controlled interrupted time series analysis.
We aimed to rigorously evaluate the impact of prospective audit and feedback on broad-spectrum antimicrobial use among critical care patients. ⋯ Institution of a formal prospective audit and feedback program appears to be a safe and effective means to improve broad-spectrum antimicrobial use in critical care.
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Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Apr 2012
Rates and appropriateness of antimicrobial prescribing at an academic children's hospital, 2007-2010.
Antimicrobial use in hospitalized children has not been well described. To identify targets for antimicrobial stewardship interventions, we retrospectively examined pediatric utilization rates for 48 antimicrobials from 2007 to 2010 as well as appropriateness of vancomycin and cefepime use in 2010. ⋯ In our children's hospital, use of 10 antimicrobials increased during the study period. Inappropriate use of vancomycin and cefepime was greatest on the critical care and surgical services, largely as a result of failure to de-escalate therapy, suggesting targets for future antimicrobial stewardship interventions.