Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology (original) (raw)

• Seasonal, monthly, and yearly variability of surgical site infections at a single institution—A report of more than 95,000 procedures

January 2020: 41(1):127-129

Abstract

To determine whether deep surgical site infection (dSSI) rate exhibits temporal variability, dSSI rates following 98,068 cases were analyzed. The overall dSSI rate decreased significantly between 2009 and 2018. Summer had a significantly greater rate of dSSI than winter. There was no difference in dSSI rate in July versus other months.

• A bronchoscopy-associated pseudo-outbreak ofMycobacterium mucogenicumtraced to use of contaminated ice used for bronchoalveolar lavage

January 2020: 41(1):124-126

Abstract

Clonal Mycobacterium mucogenicum isolates (determined by molecular typing) were recovered from 19 bronchoscopic specimens from 15 patients. None of these patients had evidence of mycobacterial infection. Laboratory culture materials and bronchoscopes were negative for Mycobacteria. This pseudo-outbreak was caused by contaminated ice used to provide bronchoscopic lavage. Control was achieved by transitioning to sterile ice.

• Comparative assessment of the effectiveness of three disinfection protocols for reducing bacterial contamination of stethoscopes

January 2020: 41(1):120-123

Abstract

In a crossover study, 30 stethoscopes were assessed and disinfected using 3 protocols: isopropyl alcohol, a quaternary ammonia or biguanide disinfectant, and ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI). All protocols effectively reduced bacterial loads, but UVGI was less effective at higher contamination levels (P = .0004). The effectiveness of each intervention was short in duration.

• Infection prevention and control and antibiotic stewardship practices in pediatric long-term care facilities

January 2020: 41(1):116-119

Abstract

Pediatric long-term care facilities were surveyed to assess infection control and antimicrobial stewardship practices. Policies mandated by the Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) were included. Only 40% of sites reported implementing >90% of surveyed CMS policies. The survey also identified several gaps in non-CMS-mandated policies.

• Introducing a nursing maintenance bundle for patients with pulmonary arterial catheters

January 2020: 41(1):113-115

Abstract

We undertook a quality improvement project to address challenges with pulmonary artery catheter (PAC) line maintenance in a setting of low-baseline central-line infection rates. We observed a subsequent reduction in Staphylococcal PAC line infections and a trend toward a reduction in overall PAC infection rates over 1 year.