Effect of a Clostridium difficile Infection Prevention Initiative in Veterans Affairs Acute Care Facilities

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 720-722 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin E. Evans ◽  
Stephen M. Kralovic ◽  
Loretta A. Simbartl ◽  
Rajiv Jain ◽  
Gary A. Roselle

Rates of clinically confirmed hospital-onset healthcare facility-associated Clostridium difficile infections from July 1, 2012, through March 31, 2015, in 127 acute care Veterans Affairs facilities were evaluated. Quarterly pooled national standardized infection ratios decreased 15% from baseline by the final quarter of the analysis period (P=.01, linear regression).Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;37:720–722

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 717-719 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin E. Evans ◽  
Stephen M. Kralovic ◽  
Loretta A. Simbartl ◽  
Judith L. Whitlock ◽  
Rajiv Jain ◽  
...  

Complications within 30 days of a clinically confirmed hospital-onset Clostridium difficile infection diagnosis from July 1, 2012, through June 30, 2015, in 127 acute care Veterans Health Administration facilities were evaluated. Pooled rates for attributable intensive care unit admissions, colectomies, and deaths were 2.7%, 0.5%, and 0.4%, respectively.Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;37:717–719


2014 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 356-361 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher D. Pfeiffer ◽  
Margaret C. Cunningham ◽  
Tasha Poissant ◽  
Jon P. Furuno ◽  
John M. Townes ◽  
...  

Objective.To establish a statewide network to detect, control, and prevent the spread of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) in a region with a low incidence of CRE infection.Design.Implementation of the Drug Resistant Organism Prevention and Coordinated Regional Epidemiology (DROP-CRE) Network.Setting and Participants.Oregon infection prevention and microbiology laboratory personnel, including 48 microbiology laboratories, 62 acute care facilities, and 140 long-term care facilities.Methods.The DROP-CRE working group, comprising representatives from academic institutions and public health, convened an interdisciplinary advisory committee to assist with planning and implementation of CRE epidemiology and control efforts. The working group established a statewide CRE definition and surveillance plan; increased the state laboratory capacity to perform the modified Hodge test and polymerase chain reaction for carbapenemases in real time; and administered surveys that assessed the needs and capabilities of Oregon infection prevention and laboratory personnel. Results of these inquiries informed CRE education and the response plan.Results.Of 60 CRE reported from November 2010 through April 2013, only 3 were identified as carbapenemase producers; the cases were not linked, and no secondary transmission was found. Microbiology laboratories, acute care facilities, and long-term care facilities reported lacking carbapenemase testing capability, reliable interfacility communication, and CRE awareness, respectively. Survey findings informed the creation of the Oregon CRE Toolkit, a state-specific CRE guide booklet.Conclusions.A regional epidemiology surveillance and response network has been implemented in Oregon in advance of widespread CRE transmission. Prospective surveillance will determine whether this collaborative approach will be successful at forestalling the emergence of this important healthcare-associated pathogen.


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