American journal of infection control
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Am J Infect Control · Mar 2019
Randomized Controlled TrialA pilot study to assess the impact of an educational patient hand hygiene intervention on acquisition of colonization with health care-associated pathogens.
Patient hand hygiene is a commonsense measure that has been associated with reductions in colonization or infection with bacterial and viral pathogens in quasi-experimental studies. We conducted a nonblinded pilot randomized trial to assess the impact of an educational patient hand hygiene intervention on acquisition of colonization by selected health care-associated pathogens in hospitalized patients. For patients with negative admission cultures, the intervention did not reduce the new acquisition of colonization by pathogens compared with that of standard care.
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Am J Infect Control · Mar 2019
Chlorhexidine gluconate bathing: Patient perceptions, practices, and barriers at a tertiary care center.
Many studies indicate that daily chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing reduces the risk of hospital-acquired infections. In this study, we found that patient perceptions can be a barrier to bathing practice, and many independent-care patients do not use CHG bathing products correctly. Furthermore, electronic medical record documentation may be a reliable tool to assess CHG bathing compliance.
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Am J Infect Control · Feb 2019
Engaging patients in health care epidemiology research: A case example.
We describe stakeholder engagement from a Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute-funded project to identify patients' research priorities for health care-associated infections (HAI). We summarize insights from these activities to highlight feasibility and benefits of stakeholder engagement in health care epidemiology research.Patients and caregivers who had an HAI experience were involved in a patient and caregiver stakeholder group. We engaged clinicians, infection prevention experts, state public health professionals, and quality improvement experts in an institutional stakeholder (IS) group in an academic tertiary care medical center. ⋯ Our engagement experience provides one example of how patients can be engaged in health care epidemiology research. Our experiences and lessons learned may be helpful to others interested in stakeholder engagement.
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Am J Infect Control · Feb 2019
Peripherally inserted central catheter-associated bloodstream infection: Risk factors and the role of antibiotic-impregnated catheters for prevention.
Antimicrobial-impregnated (AIP) peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) may lower risk of central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) compared with nonantimicrobial-impregnated (NAIP) catheters. We sought to assess risk factors for CLABSI with a focus on the effect of AIP PICCs. ⋯ PICC CLABSIs were highest among patients receiving NAIP catheters in this large study. Highest risk occurred with placement of a tunneled catheter, AIDS, leukemia, and if the indication for PICC was chemotherapy. Our study suggests that the AIP PICC should be considered in all patients receiving PICCs.
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Am J Infect Control · Jan 2019
Implementing the comprehensive unit-based safety program model to improve the management of mechanically ventilated patients in Saudi Arabia.
Ventilator-associated events are common in mechanically ventilated patients. They are associated with more days on mechanical ventilation, longer intensive care unit (ICU) stay, and increased risk of mortality. Theoretically, interventions that prevent ventilator-associated events should also reduce associated morbidity. We evaluated the Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program approach to improve the care of mechanically ventilated patients. ⋯ The implementation of a multipronged program like the Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program could improve the care processes and outcomes of mechanically ventilated patients.