Infection control and hospital epidemiology : the official journal of the Society of Hospital Epidemiologists of America
-
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · May 2008
University HealthSystem Consortium quality performance benchmarking study of the insertion and care of central venous catheters.
We report data from an observational benchmarking study of adherence to recommended practices for insertion and maintenance of central venous catheters at a heterogeneous group of academic medical centers. These centers demonstrated a need for significant improvement in implementation and documentation of quality performance measures for the prevention of catheter-related bloodstream infections.
-
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · May 2008
Cross-transmission of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii clonal strains causing episodes of sepsis in a trauma intensive care unit.
To investigate the mode of transmission of imipenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii strains causing episodes of sepsis. ⋯ The extensive dissemination of imipenem-resistant A. baumannii clonal strains causing episodes of bacteremia and/or sepsis resulted from modes of transmission via multiple contaminated surfaces and objects and transiently colonized HCWs' hands. Closure of the ICU and its meticulous environmental decontamination led to the successful control of the outbreak.
-
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Mar 2008
Comparative StudyVariability in rates of use of antibacterials among 130 US hospitals and risk-adjustment models for interhospital comparison.
To describe variability in rates of antibacterial use in a large sample of US hospitals and to create risk-adjusted models for interhospital comparison. ⋯ Most adult inpatients receive antimicrobial agents during their hospitalization, but there is substantial variability between hospitals in the volume of antibacterials used. Risk-adjusted models can explain a significant proportion of this variation and allow for comparisons between hospitals for benchmarking purposes.
-
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Mar 2008
Appropriateness of use of indwelling urinary tract catheters in hospitalized patients in Italy.
By reviewing medical records, we evaluated the appropriateness of use of indwelling urinary tract catheters in hospitalized patients in Italy. The inappropriate use of an indwelling urinary tract catheter (in 138 [30%] of 461 patients) was significantly associated with greater age, not having undergone a surgical intervention, a good state of consciousness, presence of chronic comorbidities, duration of catheterization, and ward of admission.
-
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol · Mar 2008
Epidemiology of hospital-acquired infections in veterans with spinal cord injury and disorder.
To describe the epidemiology of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) in veterans with spinal cord injury and disorder (SCI&D). ⋯ The overall incidence of HAIs in persons with SCI&D was higher than that reported for other populations, confirming the increased risk of HAI in persons with spinal cord injury. The increased risk associated with longer length of stay and with community-acquired infection suggests that strategies are needed to reduce the duration of hospitalization and to effectively treat community-acquired infection, to decrease infection rates. There is significant room for improvement in reducing the incidence of HAIs in this population.