scholarly journals Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology Outside the United States

1999 ◽  
Vol 20 (01) ◽  
pp. 17-21 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreas F. Widmer ◽  
Hugo Sax ◽  
Didier Pittet
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
The United States ◽  
Hospital Epidemiology

Continuous Quality Improvement in a Hospital System: Implications for Hospital Epidemiology

1992 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 288-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael D. Decker ◽  
William E. Scheckler
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Quality Improvement ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Continuous Quality Improvement ◽  
The United States ◽  
Teaching Hospitals ◽  
Hospital Epidemiology ◽  
Hospital System ◽  
Continuous Quality ◽  
Key Steps

The purpose of this report is to describe the “Continuous Quality Improvement” (CQI) paradigm as adopted by one of the 30 largest hospital systems in the United States and to explore the implications for hospital epidemiology and infection control. Hospital epidemiology has its roots in the application of epidemiologic tools and principles to the problems of nosocomial infections. Key steps in the development of hospital epidemiology came from physicians in Great Britain and the United States who were part of the public health systems of those countries. In the United States, physicians trained in infectious diseases as a subspecialty occupy the position of hospital epidemiologist in most university, Veterans Affairs, and larger community teaching hospitals. Some of these individuals argue that hospital epidemiologists should continue to focus principally on infection control. Others are just as convinced that the premises and knowledge of epidemiology honed by experiences in infection control are very well suited to many other problems facing hospitals in the 1990s.

Managing Our Microbial Mark

2016 ◽  
Vol 42 (2-3) ◽  
pp. 393-428
Author(s):  
Ann Marie Marciarille
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
The United States ◽  
West African ◽  
Healthcare Associated Infections ◽  
Healthcare Facilities ◽  
Quality Reporting ◽  
Reporting Systems ◽  
Control Procedures ◽  
Healthcare Associated

The narrative of Ebola's arrival in the United States has been overwhelmed by our fear of a West African-style epidemic. The real story of Ebola's arrival is about our healthcare system's failure to identify, treat, and contain healthcare associated infections. Having long been willfully ignorant of the path of fatal infectious diseases through our healthcare facilities, this paper considers why our reimbursement and quality reporting systems made it easy for this to be so. West Africa's challenges in controlling Ebola resonate with our own struggles to standardize, centralize, and enforce infection control procedures in American healthcare facilities.

Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Artificial Feeding

PEDIATRICS ◽  
1989 ◽  
Vol 83 (5) ◽  
pp. 804-804
Author(s):  
STANLEY A. PLOTKIN
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Human Immunodeficiency Virus ◽  
Developing Countries ◽  
Breast Milk ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
The United States ◽  
Artificial Feeding ◽  
Immunodeficiency Virus

Dr Halsey has brought to my attention that a sentence in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection control statement (AAP News, September 1988) and perinatal statement (Pediatrics 1988;82:941-944) might be misinterpreted as advocating artificial feeding for HP/-infected infants in developing countries. It was our intention to advocate the use of artificial feeding by HIV-infected mothers only in the United States and other developed countries where safe water and hygienic practices are the norm. In other countries, the advantages of breast milk outweigh the possible risk of transmission to the newborn.

scholarly journals Investigation of a Contaminated, Nationally Distributed, Organ Transplant Preservation Solution — United States, 2016–2017

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 (suppl_1) ◽  
pp. S11-S11
Author(s):  
Matthew Stuckey ◽  
Shannon Novosad ◽  
Nancy Wilde ◽  
Pallavi Annambhotla ◽  
Sridhar Basavaraju ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Adverse Events ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Bacterial Contamination ◽  
Organ Procurement ◽  
The United States ◽  
Patient Harm ◽  
Preservation Solution ◽  
Public Health Action ◽  
Transplant Center

Abstract Background In December 2016, bacterial contamination of an organ preservation solution (OPS) was reported by Transplant Center A in Iowa. Annually, >20,000 abdominal organs are transplanted in the United States; OPS is used for organ storage. We investigated the scope of OPS contamination and its association with adverse events in patients. Methods We assessed infection control practices related to OPS at Transplant Centers A and B in Iowa and the local organ procurement organization (OPO). We issued national notifications about OPS contamination and requested transplant centers to report product-related concerns or potential patient harm. Among transplant recipients at Center A, we compared adverse events (fever, bacteremia, surgical site infection, peritonitis, or pyelonephritis within 14 days of transplantation) during October–December 2015 with October–December 2016, the presumed window of exposure to contaminated OPS. Isolates from OPS were characterized. Results No infection control deficiencies were identified at Transplant Centers A, B, or the OPO. In January 2017, contaminated OPS from the same manufacturer was reported by Transplant Center C in Texas. Nationally, there were no reports of patient harm definitively linked to OPS. Post-transplant adverse events at Center A did not increase between fourth quarter 2015 (5/12 [42%]) and 2016 (2/15 [13%]). Organisms recovered from OPS included Pantoea agglomerans and Enterococcus gallinarum (Center A) and Pseudomonas koreensis (Center C). Five Pantoea isolates from ≥3 opened OPS bags were indistinguishable by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. The OPS distributor issued recalls and suspended production. The US Food and Drug Administration identified deficiencies in current good manufacturing practices at manufacturing and distribution facilities, including inadequate validation of OPS sterility. Conclusion Bacterial contamination of a nationally distributed product was identified by astute clinicians. The investigation found no illnesses were directly linked to the product. Prompt reporting of concerns about potentially contaminated healthcare products, which might put patients at risk, is critical for swift public health action. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Infection Control Dogma Among Nurses in Iran

2007 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 238-240
Author(s):  
Harrison G. Weed ◽  
Mehrdad Askarian
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Questionnaire Survey ◽  
The United States ◽  
The Us

Using 33 dogmatic statements about infection control, we assessed the knowledge of infection control nurses at a conference in Iran and compared their responses with those of infection control nurses at a conference in the United States. A majority of those at the Iran conference responded correctly to 11 (33%) of 33 statements, whereas a majority at the US conference responded correctly to 20 (61%) of the statements. The differences in responses were significant (P < .001). Nurses at the Iran conference were more likely to agree with dogma not supported by the literature and to put more faith in general cleanliness to prevent infection than is supported by the literature. A similar questionnaire survey might be useful in countries like Iran that are developing their infection control personnel and infrastructure.

Nosocomial Infection Surveillance in the United States: Historical Perspective

1987 ◽  
Vol 8 (11) ◽  
pp. 450-453 ◽  
Author(s):  
James M. Hughes
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Nosocomial Infection ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Nosocomial Infections ◽  
Control Program ◽  
The United States ◽  
National Database ◽  
Surveillance Program ◽  
Infection Control Program ◽  
Infection Surveillance

AbstractDuring the past 30 years, many important strides have been made in the prevention of nosocomial infections in the United States. Infection control programs have been established in hospitals throughout the country. Techniques for surveillance of nosocomial infections have been developed and utilized extensively. Results of the Study on the Efficacy of Nosocomial Infection Control (SENIC Project) and the experience with surveillance of surgical wound infections have documented the fact that surveillance is an integral component of an effective nosocomial infection control program. In recent years, a number of approaches to nosocomial infection surveillance have been proposed as alternatives to comprehensive or hospital-wide surveillance. In 1986, four surveillance components were introduced in the National Nosocomial Infections Surveillance (NNIS) system to provide participating institutions the option to tailor their surveillance program to their local needs and priorities while continuing to provide information to the national database on nosocomial infections. Infection control practitioners currently face a challenge to develop more meaningful nosocomial infection rates to permit identification of new infection control priorities for their institution and to assess progress toward specific prevention objectives.

scholarly journals 2462. Public Health Response to Contain the First Outbreak of New Delhi Metallo-β-Lactamase-Producing Klebsiella pneumoniae in Minnesota

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S852-S852
Author(s):  
Brittany VonBank ◽  
Sean O’Malley ◽  
Paula Snippes Vagnone ◽  
Mary Ellen Bennett ◽  
Tammy Hale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
The United States ◽  
New Delhi ◽  
Surveillance Culture ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Term Care ◽  
Health Response

Abstract Background Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) producing the New Delhi-metallo-β-lactamase (NDM) carbapenemase are uncommon in the United States but are a serious threat for untreatable antibiotic-resistant infections. In Minnesota (MN), NDM-CRE is typically associated with receipt of healthcare abroad. We describe the public health response to contain the first outbreak of NDM-CRE in MN. Methods CRE is reportable, with isolate submission to the MN Department of Health (MDH) for MALDI-TOF identification, phenotypic carbapenemase production testing, and PCR for carbapenemase genes. On December 24, 2018, MDH identified a case of NDM-K. pneumoniae in a long-term care facility (LTCF) without travel. MDH initiated an investigation. We defined a case as having NDM-K. pneumoniae matching the outbreak PFGE pattern from a clinical or surveillance culture. Cases were identified through surveillance, point prevalence survey (PPS) rectal swab colonization testing, and PFGE at MDH. MDH collected a healthcare exposure history for all cases. A containment response occurred in any facility where a case received healthcare in the 30 days prior. Results Nine cases of clonal NDM-K. pneumoniae with specimen collection dates between December 24, 2018 and March 26, 2019 were identified; 8 were residents of LTCF A and 1 was a roommate in LTCF B of a former LTCF A resident. PPS testing of 260 healthcare contacts occurred in 6 facilities, including LTCF A, LTCF B, and 4 acute care hospitals (ACH) that accepted LTCF A transfers; 7/9 cases were identified through PPS and 2/9 cases were identified through CRE surveillance. One case from LTCF A was identified in an ACH, but PPS did not identify transmission in ACHs. MDH conducted on-site infection control assessments in 2 LTCFs, identified numerous infection control (IC) lapses at LTCF A, and provided telephone IC consultation to 4 ACHs. Conclusion Surveillance and PPS uncovered an outbreak of NDM CRE in 2 LTCFs. Patient transfers led to a regional public health response lasting several months that included IC consultation and additional PPS. Intervention to coordinate containment responses among interconnected healthcare facilities is critical to containing the spread of novel resistance mechanisms in the United States. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

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