scholarly journals A National Aged Care Infection and Antimicrobial Use Survey: A Three-Year Report

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (S1) ◽  
pp. s97-s98
Author(s):  
Noleen Bennett ◽  
Kirsty Buising ◽  
Robyn Ingram
Keyword(s):  
Aged Care ◽  
Antimicrobial Use ◽  
Prevalence Data ◽  
Suspected Infection ◽  
Priority Areas ◽  
Start Date ◽  
Rate Table ◽  
Level Data ◽  
Mucosal Infection ◽  
Topical Antimicrobials

Background: Australia has ~2,700 aged-care homes and 180 multipurpose services. The annual Aged Care National Antimicrobial Prescribing Survey (AC NAPS), first pilot tested in 2015, is a surveillance tool that can be used in these facilities to monitor infections and antimicrobial use. It assists in identifying priorities for local and national infection control and antimicrobial stewardship interventions. Methods: Nurses or pharmacists collect point prevalence data using standardized data collection forms: (1) A facility form, completed by each participating facility, includes resident-level data fields (eg, number of residents present on the survey day). (2) An infection form is completed for residents with signs and/or symptoms of infection. (3) An antimicrobial form is completed for residents who are prescribed an antimicrobial. Results: Regarding prevalence,for those 31 facilities that participated annually, there was no significant change in either prevalence rate (Table 1). Regarding priority areas for improvement (2018 data only), 64.6% of prescriptions were for residents who did not have signs and/or symptoms of a suspected infection in the week prior to the antimicrobial start date. The most common clinical indications for prescriptions were skin soft-tissue and mucosal infection (18.3%), cystitis (16.0%) and pneumonia (9.4%). Cefalexin (20.3%), clotrimazole (19.0%), and chloramphenicol (7.0%) were the most commonly prescribed antimicrobials. Review or stop dates were not documented for 58.9% of prescriptions. Only 39.2% of antimicrobials were prescribed in the 7 days prior to the survey day; 28.3% were prescribed >6 months prior. Furthermore, 36.3% of all prescriptions were for topical application. In addition, 19.0% of antimicrobials were prescribed for PRN (as needed) administration; most (94.4%) of these were for topical antimicrobials, most commonly clotrimazole (65.4%). Conclusions: The AC NAPS has identified infections and consistent patterns of antimicrobial use that may adversely affect the safety of care for Australian aged-care residents. Interventions are now being developed, implemented, and evaluated to address identified ‘priority areas for improvement.’Funding: NoneDisclosures: None

scholarly journals Medication omission rates in New Zealand Residential Aged Care Homes: a national description

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie M Garratt ◽  
Ngaire M Kerse ◽  
Kathryn Peri ◽  
Monique F Jonas
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Home Ownership ◽  
Medication Administration ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Level Of Care ◽  
Ownership Type ◽  
Level Data

Abstract Background A medication omission is an event where a prescribed medication is not taken before the next scheduled dose. Medication omissions are typically classed as errors within Residential Aged Care (RAC) homes, as they have the potential to lead to harm if poorly managed, but may also stem from good clinical decision-making. This study aimed to quantify the incidence, prevalence, and types of medication omissions in RAC homes on a national scale, using a New Zealand-based sample. Methods We conducted retrospective pharmacoepidemiology of de-identified medication administration e-records from December 1st 2016 to December 31st 2017. Four tiers of de-identified data were collected: RAC home level data (ownership, levels of care), care staff level data (competency level/role), resident data (gender, age, level of care), and medication related data (omissions, categories of omissions, recorded reasons for omission). Data were analysed using SPSS version 24 and Microsoft Excel.Results A total of 11, 015 residents from 374 RAC homes had active medication charts; 8,020 resided in care over the entire sample timeframe. A mean rate of 3.59 medication doses were omitted per 100 (±7.43) dispensed doses/resident. Seventy-three percent of residents had at least one dose omission. The most common omission category used was ‘not-administered’ (49.9%), followed by ‘refused’ (34.6%). The relationship between ownership type and mean rate of omission was significant (p=0.002), corporate operated RAC homes had a slightly higher mean (3.73 versus 3.33), with greater variation. The most commonly omitted medications were Analgesics and Laxatives. Forty-eight percent of all dose omissions were recorded without a comment justifying the omission. Conclusions This unique study is the first to report rate of medication omissions per RAC resident over a one-year timeframe. Although the proportion of medications omitted reported in this study is less than previously reported by hospital-based studies, there is a significant relationship between a resident’s level of care, RAC home ownership types, and the rate of omission.

52 Developing a Topical Antibiogram in the Burn Unit

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S34-S35
Author(s):  
Andrew D Robinson ◽  
Todd A Walroth ◽  
Leigh J Spera ◽  
Rajiv Sood ◽  
Brett Hartman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Susceptibility Testing ◽  
Agar Plate ◽  
Silver Sulfadiazine ◽  
Level Data ◽  
Zones Of Inhibition ◽  
Topical Antimicrobials ◽  
Susceptibility Profiles ◽  
Susceptibility Rate ◽  
Systemic Agents ◽  
Topical Antimicrobial

Abstract Introduction Antibiograms display susceptibilities based on bacterial growth in response to systemic agents, utilizing automated systems performing bacterial identification and susceptibility testing. There is a paucity of literature regarding burn-specific antibiograms or susceptibility testing of organisms isolated from wound cultures against topical antimicrobials. Our goal was to create an institutional topical antimicrobial antibiogram in burn and dermatologic disorder patients. Methods Institutional topical antimicrobial agent susceptibilities were retrospectively reviewed from 1/1/18-12/31/18. Quantitative biopsies or swabs collected from patients were cultured. Susceptibility plates were prepared by wells aseptically punched into an agar plate and inoculated with antimicrobial creams. Bacterial isolates were then inoculated in melted agar, overlaid onto the susceptibility dish, and incubated. Zones of inhibition (ZOI) were reported in mm; susceptible being any measurable zone and resistant defined as a zone of 0 mm. Isolated organisms were grouped as Gram-positive cocci (GPC), Gram-negative rods (GNR), or yeast-like fungi (YLF). Results In 2018, 21 organisms were tested for susceptibility in 19 patients with positive cultures. Overall susceptibilities of isolates were 71–91%. Overall, susceptibility rates were: gentamicin 71%, mupirocin 77%, silver sulfadiazine 77%, and mafenide 91%. All C. albicans isolates were susceptible to nystatin. Excluding resistant isolates, the median (IQR) ZOI measurements were: gentamicin 10.0 (7.0, 15.0), mupirocin 12.0 (7.5, 27.0), silver sulfadiazine 8.0 (7.0, 10.5), and mafenide 14.5 (10.3, 19.8). Of organisms reported, there were 10 GNR (45%), 8 GPC (36%), and 4 YLF (18%), with P. aeruginosa, MRSA, and C. albicans being most common. For GPC, susceptibility rates were 63–88% and median (IQR) ZOI measurements were: gentamicin 16.0 (8.0, 30.0), mupirocin 27.0 (9.8, 35.5), silver sulfadiazine 10.0 (8.5, 19.0), and mafenide 15.0 (10.0, 22.0). For GNR, susceptibility rates were 70–90% and median (IQR) ZOI measurements were: gentamicin 10.0 (6.0, 11.0), mupirocin 12.0 (7.0, 18.0), silver sulfadiazine 7.5 (7.0, 9.5), and mafenide 15.0 (13.0, 19.0). Conclusions Based on susceptibility profiles of isolated organisms, mafenide appears to be an appropriate first-line empiric agent with an overall susceptibility rate greater than 90% and the largest ZOI amongst topical agents tested. When examining GPC, mupirocin demonstrated the largest ZOI and may be a more appropriate empiric choice if Gram-stain results are available. Applicability of Research to Practice To our knowledge, no previously published studies exist in burn patients examining susceptibilities to topical antimicrobials. These antibiogram-level data provide direction for empiric treatment of wound infections utilizing local susceptibilities for targeted topical coverage.

Burden of antibiotic allergy labels in Australian aged care residents: Findings from a national point-prevalence survey

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (6) ◽  
pp. 641-644
Author(s):  
Laura Travis ◽  
Leon J. Worth ◽  
Jason Trubiano ◽  
Karin Thursky ◽  
Noleen Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Aged Care ◽  
Point Prevalence ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Health Record ◽  
Prevalence Survey ◽  
Antibiotic Allergy ◽  
Point Prevalence Survey ◽  
Level Data ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Aged Care Facilities

AbstractObjective:To determine the prevalence of antibiotic allergy labels (AALs) in Australian aged care residents and to describe the impact of labels on antibiotic prescribing practices.Design:Point-prevalence survey.Setting:Australian residential aged care facilities.Participants:We surveyed 1,489 residents in 407 aged care facilities.Methods:Standardized data were collected on a single day between June 1 and August 31, 2018, for residents prescribed an antibiotic. An AAL was reported if it was documented in the resident’s health record. Resident-level data were used to calculate overall prevalence, and antibiotic-level data were used to report relative frequency of AALs for individual antibiotics and classes.Results:Among 1,489 residents, 356 (24%) had 1 or more documented AALs. The AALs for penicillin (28.3%), amoxicillin or amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (10.5%), cefalexin (7.2%), and trimethoprim (7.0%) were most commonly reported. The presence of an AAL was associated with significantly less prescribing of penicillins (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.31–0.62; P < .001) and significantly more prescribing of lincosamides (OR, 4.81; P < .001), macrolides (OR, 2.03; P = .007), and tetracyclines (OR, 1.54; P = .033). Of residents with AALs, 7 residents (1.9%) were prescribed an antibiotic that was listed on the allergy section of their health record.Conclusions:A high prevalence of AALs was observed among residents of Australian aged care facilities, comparable to the prevalence of AALs in high-risk hospitalized patients. Significant increases in prescribing of lincosamide, macrolide, and tetracycline agents poses a potential risk to aged populations, and future studies must evaluate the benefits of AAL delabelling programs tailored for aged care settings.

scholarly journals 2678. Characterizing Hospitalizations and Infections Among Older Adults Receiving Palliative Chemotherapy for Hematologic Malignancies

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S940-S940
Author(s):  
Natalie Uy ◽  
Rupak Datta ◽  
Noffar Bar ◽  
Manisha Juthani-Mehta
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Palliative Chemotherapy ◽  
Hematologic Malignancies ◽  
Antimicrobial Use ◽  
Common Site ◽  
Future Studies ◽  
Suspected Infection ◽  
Number Of Patients ◽  
Record Review

Abstract Background As cancer survivorship improves, the number of patients with hematologic malignancies receiving palliative chemotherapy will grow. Older adults with hematologic malignancies often carry poor prognoses and experience high risks of infection. We evaluated the frequency of CDC criteria confirmed infection and antimicrobial use during hospitalizations following initiation of palliative chemotherapy. Methods We conducted a cohort study of patients aged ≥65 years who received non-curative palliative chemotherapy between January 1, 2016 and September 30, 2017 and were subsequently hospitalized by January 31, 2018. Hematologic malignancies were verified with medical record review. Infections were identified using CDC criteria, and antimicrobials were categorized by indication for use. Results We identified 268 patients receiving palliative chemotherapy for hematologic malignancies (Table 1) who had a total 591 hospitalizations (Table 2) during follow-up. There were 162 readmissions (27%) among 92 patients. Among all patients, 128 (48%) died during follow-up. Forty-one (15%) deaths were within 30 days of discharge. The most common site of death was hospice, in and outpatient (27%). Two hundred forty-nine (42%) admissions were for infectious causes; of the 34 patients who died inpatient (non hospice), 56% had been admitted for infectious causes. Antimicrobials were prescribed for prophylaxis in 57% (n = 337/591) of hospitalizations. Antimicrobials were prescribed for suspected infection in 48% (n = 282/591) of hospitalizations. Only 30% (n = 178/591) of hospitalizations had antimicrobials given for CDC confirmed infections. Figure 1 shows the most common indications for antimicrobial use. Conclusion Infections are an important cause of the morbidity and mortality in older adults receiving palliative chemotherapy for hematology malignancies. Hospitalizations for infectious causes were frequent in our cohort. Nearly half of hospitalizations involved antimicrobial use for suspected infection, but CDC confirmed infections were less common. This population warrants further investigation to improve antimicrobial use. Future studies should identify the subset of patients at high risk for recurrent admissions to optimize medical care. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Improving utilisation of RVNs in dermatology cases

2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 70-74
Author(s):  
Nicola Ackerman
Keyword(s):  
Microscopic Examination ◽  
Clinical Guidelines ◽  
Antimicrobial Use ◽  
Veterinary Practice ◽  
Antimicrobial Prescribing ◽  
Veterinary Surgeons ◽  
Topical Antimicrobials

Pressure on veterinary surgeons to prescribe antibiotics can present in many formats, these can include, time, financial and the owner's expectations. Protocols and guidelines set out within the veterinary practice can help veterinary surgeons by providing structures on how to proceed in set circumstances. Veterinary bodies and representative associations have produced literature and guidance notes on antimicrobial use and these can be built into veterinary practice protocols and clinical guidelines. The introduction of an ear cytology microscopic examination being performed prior to antimicrobial prescribing showed an increase in the utilisation of the registered veterinary nurse (RVN) in the performing of this task, and a decrease in the net value of topical antimicrobials being prescribed was noted. The overall financial value to the practice was however increased.

scholarly journals Medication omission rates in New Zealand Residential Aged Care Homes: a national description

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie M Garratt ◽  
Ngaire M Kerse ◽  
Kathryn Peri ◽  
Monique F Jonas
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Home Ownership ◽  
Medication Administration ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Level Of Care ◽  
Ownership Type ◽  
Level Data

Abstract Background A medication omission is an event where a prescribed medication is not taken before the next scheduled dose. Medication omissions are typically classed as errors within Residential Aged Care (RAC) homes, as they have the potential to lead to harm if poorly managed, but may also stem from good clinical decision-making. This study aimed to quantify the incidence, prevalence, and types of medication omissions in RAC homes on a national scale, using a New Zealand-based sample. Methods We conducted retrospective pharmaco-epidemiology of de-identified medication administration e-records from December 1st 2016 to December 31st 2017. Four tiers of de-identified data were collected: RAC home level data (ownership, levels of care), care staff level data (competency level/role), resident data (gender, age, level of care), and medication related data (omissions, categories of omissions, recorded reasons for omission). Data were analysed using SPSS version 24 and Microsoft Excel.Results A total of 11, 015 residents from 374 RAC homes had active medication charts; 8,020 resided in care over the entire sample timeframe. A mean rate of 3.59 medication doses were omitted per 100 (±7.4) dispensed doses/resident (s.d. 7.43). Seventy-three percent of residents had at least one dose omission. The most common omission category used was ‘not-administered’ (49.9%), followed by ‘refused’ (34.6%). The relationship between ownership type and mean rate of omission was significant (p=0.002), corporate operated RAC homes had a slightly higher mean (3.73 versus 3.33), with greater variation. The most commonly omitted medications were Analgesics and Laxatives. Forty-eight percent of all dose omissions were recorded without a comment justifying the omission. Conclusions This unique study is the first to report rate of medication omissions per RAC resident over a one-year timeframe. Although the proportion of medications omitted reported in this study is less than previously reported by hospital-based studies, there is a significant relationship between a resident’s level of care, RAC home ownership types, and the rate of omission.

scholarly journals Informing Stewardship Measures in Canadian Food Animal Species through Integrated Reporting of Antimicrobial Use and Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Data—Part I, Methodology Development

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 1492
Author(s):  
Agnes Agunos ◽  
Sheryl P. Gow ◽  
Anne E. Deckert ◽  
Grace Kuiper ◽  
David F. Léger
Keyword(s):  
Antimicrobial Resistance ◽  
Data Integration ◽  
Animal Species ◽  
Antimicrobial Use ◽  
Integrated Reporting ◽  
Farm Level ◽  
Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance ◽  
Food Animal ◽  
Level Data ◽  
Selection Of

This study explores methodologies for the data integration of antimicrobial use (AMU) and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) results within and across three food animal species, surveyed at the farm-level by the Canadian Integrated Program for Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance (CIPARS). The approach builds upon existing CIPARS methodology and principles from other AMU and AMR surveillance systems. Species level data integration involved: (1) standard CIPARS descriptive and temporal analysis of AMU/AMR, (2) synthesis of results, (3) selection of AMU and AMR outcomes for integration, (4) selection of candidate AMU indicators to enable comparisons of AMU levels between species and simultaneous assessment of AMU and AMR trends, (5) exploration of analytic options for studying associations between AMU and AMR, and (6) interpretation and visualization. The multi-species integration was also completed using the above approach. In addition, summarized reporting of internationally-recognized indicators of AMR (i.e., AMR adjusted for animal biomass) and AMU (mg/population correction unit, mg/kg animal biomass) is explored. It is envisaged that this approach for species and multi-species AMU–AMR data integration will be applied to the annual CIPARS farm-level data and progressively developed over time to inform AMU–AMR integrated surveillance best practices for further enhancement of AMU stewardship actions.

scholarly journals Spatial modeling cannot currently differentiate SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus and human distributions on the basis of climate in the United States

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert Harbert ◽  
Seth W. Cunningham ◽  
Michael Tessler
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Human Population ◽  
Population Data ◽  
The United States ◽  
Distribution Models ◽  
Prevalence Data ◽  
Level Data ◽  
The Us ◽  
Primary Driver ◽  
Population Equilibrium

AbstractThe SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus is wreaking havoc globally, yet knowledge of its biology is limited. Climate and seasonality influence the distributions of many diseases, and studies suggest a link between SARS-CoV-2 and cool weather. One such study, building species distribution models (SDMs), predicted SARS-CoV-2 risk may remain concentrated in the Northern Hemisphere, shifting northward in summer months. Others have highlighted issues with SARS-CoV-2 SDMs, notably: the primary niche of the virus is the host it infects, climate may be a weak distributional predictor, global prevalence data have issues, and the virus is not in a population equilibrium. While these issues should be considered, climate still may be important for predicting the future distribution of SARS-CoV-2. To further examine if there is a link, we model with raw cases and population scaled cases for SARS-CoV-2 county-level data from the United States. We show that SDMs built from population scaled cases data cannot be distinguished from control models built from raw human population data, while SDMs built on raw data fail to predict the current known distribution of cases in the US. The population scaled analyses indicate that climate may not play a central role in current US viral distribution and that human population density is likely a primary driver. Still, we do find slightly more population scaled viral cases in cooler areas. This coupled with our geographically constrained focus make it so we cannot rule out climate as a partial driver of the US SARS-CoV-2 distribution. Climate’s role on SARS-CoV-2 should continue to be cautiously examined, but at this time we should assume that SARS-CoV-2 can spread anywhere in the US.

Infections and antimicrobial use in Australian residential aged care facilities: a comparison between local and international prevalence and practices

2013 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 529 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary Smith ◽  
Sue Atkins ◽  
Leon Worth ◽  
Michael Richards ◽  
Noleen Bennett
Keyword(s):  
Aged Care ◽  
Point Prevalence ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Antimicrobial Use ◽  
International Studies ◽  
Point Prevalence Study ◽  
Pooled Prevalence ◽  
Care Facilities ◽  
Aged Care Facilities ◽  
Residential Aged Care Facilities

Introduction. In July 2011, 29 residential aged care facilities (RACF) located in the Grampians rural region, Victoria, participated in the Grampians healthcare-associated infection (HAI) and antimicrobial use point prevalence study. Methods. On a single day, trained infection control consultants collected data using two surveys. The RACF survey enabled collection of information (e.g. occupancy levels) about each RACF and its residents. The resident survey was completed for eligible high-level care residents who presented with signs and symptoms of a HAI and/or were prescribed an antimicrobial. A literature review was undertaken so comparisons could be made against similar studies. Results. The Grampians prevalence of residents presenting with ≥1 HAI (3.8%) was higher than the pooled prevalence (2.3%) for four international studies (P = 0.01). The Grampians prevalence of residents prescribed ≥1 antimicrobial (8.3%) was higher than the pooled prevalence (5.8%) for eight international studies (P = 0.009). Conclusion. The prevalence of the Grampians residents presenting with ≥1 HAI and residents prescribed ≥1 antimicrobial were both observed to be significantly higher than pooled data from similar international studies. What is known about this topic? RACF residents are vulnerable to HAI for a variety of reasons (e.g. comorbidities and functional disabilities). Inappropriate antimicrobial use for these HAI may lead to the emergence of antimicrobial resistance, adverse drug reactions and excessive costs. The literature does not extensively detail surveillance programs that measure HAI or antimicrobial use in Australian RACF. What does this paper add? In a sample of Australian RACF, the Grampians point prevalence study established a baseline prevalence of HAI and antimicrobial use. The rates calculated were shown to be significantly high when compared with similar studies. What are the implications for practitioners? Quality improvement initiatives that might decrease the prevalence of HAI and antimicrobial use in Australian RACF should be investigated and supported by key stakeholders.

scholarly journals Medication omission rates in New Zealand Residential Aged Care Homes: a national description

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie M Garratt ◽  
Ngaire M Kerse ◽  
Kathryn Peri ◽  
Monique F Jonas
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Home Ownership ◽  
Medication Administration ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Care Staff ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Level Of Care ◽  
Ownership Type ◽  
Level Data

Abstract Background A medication omission is an event where a prescribed medication is not taken before the next scheduled dose. Medication omissions are typically classed as errors within Residential Aged Care (RAC) homes, as they have the potential to lead to harm if poorly managed, but may also stem from good clinical decision-making. This study aimed to quantify the incidence, prevalence, and types of medication omissions in RAC homes on a national scale, using a New Zealand-based sample. Methods We conducted retrospective pharmacoepidemiology of de-identified medication administration e-records from December 1st 2016 to December 31st 2017. Four tiers of de-identified data were collected: RAC home level data (ownership, levels of care), care staff level data (competency level/role), resident data (gender, age, level of care), and medication related data (omissions, categories of omissions, recorded reasons for omission). Data were analysed using SPSS version 24 and Microsoft Excel.Results A total of 11, 015 residents from 374 RAC homes had active medication charts; 8,020 resided in care over the entire sample timeframe. A mean rate of 3.59 medication doses were omitted per 100 (±7.43) dispensed doses/resident. Seventy-three percent of residents had at least one dose omission. The most common omission category used was ‘not-administered’ (49.9%), followed by ‘refused’ (34.6%). The relationship between ownership type and mean rate of omission was significant (p=0.002), corporate operated RAC homes had a slightly higher mean (3.73 versus 3.33), with greater variation. The most commonly omitted medications were Analgesics and Laxatives. Forty-eight percent of all dose omissions were recorded without a comment justifying the omission. Conclusions This unique study is the first to report rate of medication omissions per RAC resident over a one-year timeframe. Although the proportion of medications omitted reported in this study is less than previously reported by hospital-based studies, there is a significant relationship between a resident’s level of care, RAC home ownership types, and the rate of omission.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document