Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI)

A team of investigators set out to identify whether a risk prediction model that was developed at Novant Health could accurately identify individuals at a high-risk for health care-associated C diff infection.

Prior to this study’s publication, the literature about pediatric C diff infection was limited.

The quick Pitt Bacteremia Score offers accuracy comparable to the original version's across multiple infections, and maintains ease of use.

Common interventions such as frequent hand washing can help stop the spread of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, according to a new study that identified household environments as a reservoir for the bacteria.

Bezlotoxumab, a human monoclonal anti­body directed against Clostridioides diffi­cile toxin B, is currently indicated for the prevention of recurrent C diffi­cile infection

In 2017, a guideline update stripped metronidazole of its first-line therapy designation and crowned oral vancomycin as initial therapy for all C difficile infection cases.

The CDC’s plan calls for 30% reduction in C diff infections, but work remains to be done.

A new study concluded physicians frequently deviate from WHO guidelines when treating children and newborns with sepsis. It’s unclear what impact such decisions have on patient outcomes.

The sepsis alert system works by monitoring changes in patients’ temperatures, heart rates, and glucose levels, and notifying clinicians of abnormalities through electronic health records.

A new rapid blood assay could help physicians to get ahead of sepsis by predicting which patients are at low, medium and high risk for the infection.

From an infection prevention perspective, the nature of Acinetobacter baumannii makes it an organism on the radar for prevention efforts against health care-associated infections.

Agency’s annual report on healthcare-associated bugs highlights reduced incidence of CLABSI, CAUTI, and C diff.

Rates of health care facility-acquired C diff seemed to show improvement, but understanding community-acquired cases better in the future can help aid prevention efforts.

Ryan K. Shields, PharmD, MS, reacts to research presented at IDWeek 2019 on cefiderocol versus high-dose meropenem for patients with nosocomial pneumonia.

Although use of gowns and gloves in targeted settings may still be helpful in preventing health care-associated infections, contact precaution policies in VA long-term care facilities had no impact on MRSA acquisition.

A large majority of sepsis patients are pathogen-negative, yet empiric prescribing of antibiotics varies significantly from patient to patient.

Eravacycline may be an option for patients with a history of C diff or those with a history of infections who are at risk for developing the infection.

While infectious disease consultations reduced the amount of antibiotics used for patients, it only affected C diff rates at 1 of 3 hospitals in the study.

Keith S. Kaye, MD, MPH, discusses the current treatment landscape for pneumonia in the ICU setting, and previews the topline results of the phase 3 RESTORE-IMI 2 trial.

When guidelines are quickly implemented for C diff treatment recommendations, the changes are reflected quickly.

The high recurrence rates of Clostridioides difficile infection highlight the need for novel agents with unique mechanisms of action for treating the infection.

RBX2660, a microbiota-based drug, was safe and efficacious for preventing recurrent C diff infection with clinical durability to 24-months after treatment, independent of age or sex.

Investigators observed no moderate, severe, cumulative, or dose-limiting adverse events leading to discontinuation, and ACX-362E was generally well-tolerated at all dose levels.

When it came to infection prevention measures, 5 of the 9 Orange County facilities with C auris displayed hand hygiene adherence < 50%, 3 had limited access to alcohol-based hand rubs, and < 60% of assessed high-touch surfaces were clean.

Investigators assessed 90-day all-cause mortality between patients with Candida bloodstream infections who did and did not receive an infectious disease consultation.

Use of high-risk antibiotics is linked to C diff infections, but the class of antibiotics with the strongest link has changed over time underscoring the need for ongoing assessment.

Through June 2019, there were 725 confirmed cases of C auris in the New York City, New Jersey and Chicago regions, with 30 additional probable cases documented.

Can UV disinfecting lights tackle health care-associated infections?

A new study delves into the debate of N95 respirators versus surgical masks for seasonal influenza and other respiratory illnesses.

Study investigators assessed the nationwide incidence of sepsis within 42 days of delivery discharge.