Journal of hospital medicine : an official publication of the Society of Hospital Medicine
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SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19) poses a tremendous challenge to healthcare systems across the globe. Serologic testing for SARS-CoV-2 infection in healthcare workers (HCWs) may quantify the rate of clinically significant exposure in an institutional setting and identify those HCWs who are at greatest risk. ⋯ Our investigation suggests that infection-control practices, including a compliance-maximizing buddy system, are valuable and effective in preventing infection within a high-risk clinical setting. Universal masking, mandatory testing of patients, and residential dormitories for HCWs at COVID-19-dedicated hospitals is an effective multifaceted approach to infection control. Moreover, given that many infections among HCWs are community-acquired, it is likely that the vigilant practices in these hospitals will have spillover effects, creating ingrained behaviors that will continue outside the hospital setting.
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Febrile infants aged 0 to 60 days are often hospitalized for a 36-to-48 hour observation period to rule out invasive bacterial infections (IBI). Evidence suggests that monitoring blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cultures for 24 hours may be appropriate for most infants. We aimed to decrease the average culture observation time (COT) from 38 to 30 hours among hospitalized infants 0 to 60 days old over 12 months. ⋯ Implementation of an evidence-based guideline through education, transparency of laboratory procedures, creation of standardized order sets, and near-time feedback was associated with shorter COT for febrile infants aged 0 to 60 days.
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To describe the seroprevalence and risk for SARS-CoV-2 among healthcare workers (HCWs) by job function and work location following the pandemic's first wave in New York City (NYC). ⋯ One-third of hospital-based HCWs were seropositive for SARS-CoV-2 by the end of the first wave in NYC. Seroprevalence differed by job function and work location, with the highest estimated risk for nurses and the emergency department, respectively. These findings support current nationwide policy prioritizing HCWs for receipt of newly authorized COVID-19 vaccines.