Staffing for infectious diseases, clinical microbiology and infection control in hospitals in 2015: results of an ESCMID member survey

Time is running out. No excuses to delay implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programmes: impact, sustainability, resilience and efficiency through an interrupted time series analysis (2017-2022)

Introduction

The WHO declared antimicrobial resistance (AMR) a significant concern in 2014, sparking initiatives to ensure responsible antibiotic use. In human medicine, Antimicrobial Stewardship Programmes (ASPs) in hospitals play a pivotal role in combating AMR. Although evidence supports the effectiveness of ASPs in optimizing antimicrobial use, often the lack of resources becomes an excuse to limit their dissemination and use. This paper provides a comprehensive report on a 6-year analysis of an ASP implemented in a healthcare region in north-east Italy.

Methods

A retrospective data collection was conducted to assess the programme's impact on antibiotic consumption expressed as DDDs/100 patient-days, its sustainability over time, resilience during the COVID-19 pandemic and the efficiency of the ASP (relationship between workload and human resources).

Results

A substantial overall reduction in antibiotic consumption (-14%), particularly in fluoroquinolones (-64%) and carbapenems (-68%), was demonstrated, showcasing the programme's impact. Sustainability was confirmed through enduring trends in antibiotic consumption and ecological analysis over time. The ASP demonstrates resilience by maintaining positive trends even amid the challenging COVID-19 pandemic. Efficiency was underscored by an increase in on-site consultations despite consistent human resources until 2021.

Conclusions

This study offers insights into the prolonged success of a resource-efficient ASP, emphasizing the crucial role of long-term commitment in fostering responsible antibiotic use in the context of global health challenges such as AMR.

A narrative review of how infection preventionist (IP) staffing and outcome metrics are assessed by health care organizations and factors to consider

BACKGROUND

Infection Preventionist to date are experiencing staffing shortages, the purpose of this narrative review is to understand how heath care organizations track staffing and outcome metrics in relation to Infection Preventionists.

METHODS

Databases utilized included MEDLINE, PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Google Scholar.

RESULTS

The initial search included 668 studies. After excluding duplicates, the title and abstract review yielded 50 articles. After screening full texts, 37 studies met the inclusion criteria. Significant variability exists within infection prevention staffing metrics. Common metrics to account for IP staffing levels include the ratio of IPs per facility and IPs per inpatient bed. Frequently tracked outcomes in relation to infection preventionists include Catheter-associated urinary tract infections and central line bloodstream infection incidence rates and standardized infection ratios, as well as Clostridioides difficile incidence rates. Metrics and outcomes from included studies are available in our supporting tables.

CONCLUSIONS

This review highlights the need for a new IP staffing model that focuses on a granular assessment of each program and care setting. Additional studies can then be conducted to examine how ideal staffing impacts outcome metrics.

Coverage and methods of surveillance of healthcare-associated infections in Middle Eastern and North African countries

BACKGROUND

Surveillance of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) is a cornerstone for effective infection prevention and control (IPC) programs. The objective was to evaluate the coverage and methods of HAI surveillance in Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) countries.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study targeted IPC staff working in MENA countries using the Infection Control Network electronic database of the Arab countries. The study focused on self-reported surveillance-related characteristics of IPC staff, facilities, and the IPC program.

RESULTS

A total of 269 IPC staff were included. They were mainly females (68%), nurses (63%), and working in GCC countries (83%). Approximately 69% of covered facilities had surveillance activities. Hand hygiene, multidrug-resistant organisms, central line-associated bloodstream infections, and catheter-associated urinary tract infections were the most common surveillance activities (>90%). The surveillance workload consumed 27% of the average weekly working time. The scores of performing multiple surveillance, with appropriate methods and tools, were 83%, 67%, and 61% (respectively). Appropriate surveillance methods and/or tools were linked to GCC region, CBIC qualifications, surveillance training, specific setting (acute care and long term), staff-to-bed ratio, presence and active function of IPC committee, presence of IPC annual plan, communications with health care workers, and leadership support.

CONCLUSIONS

While most health care facilities in the MENA region perform multiple surveillance, surveillance methods and tools are still suboptimal and their optimization should be a priority.

Professional Status of Infectious Disease Specialists in Korea: A Nationwide Survey

BACKGROUND

Infectious disease (ID) specialists are skilled facilitators of medical consultation who promote better outcomes in patient survival, antibiotic stewardship as well as healthcare safety in pandemic response. This study aimed to assess the working status of ID specialists and identify problems faced by ID professionals in Korea.

METHODS

This was a nationwide cross-sectional study in Korea. An online-based survey was conducted over 11 days (from December 17-27, 2020), targeting all active adult (n = 281) and pediatric (n = 71) ID specialists in Korea (N = 352). Questions regarding the practice areas of the specialists were divided into five categories: 1) clinical practices of outpatient care, inpatient care, and consultations; 2) infection control; 3) antibiotic stewardship; 4) research; and 5) education and training. We investigated the weekly time-use patterns for these areas of practice.

RESULTS

Of the 352 ID specialists, 195 (55.4%; 51.2% [144/281] adult and 71.8% [51/71] pediatric ID specialists) responded in the survey. Moreover, 144 (73.8%) of the total respondents were involved in all practice categories investigated. The most common practice area was outpatient service (93.8%), followed by consultation (91.3%) and inpatient service (87.7%). Specialists worked a median of 61 (interquartile range: 54-71) hours weekly: patient care, 29 (14-37) hours; research 11 (5-19) hours; infection control 4 (2-10) hours; antibiotic stewardship, 3 (1-5) hours; and education/training, 2 (2-6) hours.

CONCLUSION

ID specialists in Korea simultaneously undertake multiple tasks and work long hours, highlighting the need for training and employing more ID specialists.

Current Status and Prospect of Qualitative Assessment of Antibiotics Prescriptions

Identifying inappropriately prescribed antibiotics for infectious diseases by monitoring the quality of antibiotics use is essential for effective implementation of antibiotic stewardship. Qualitative assessment of the use of antibiotics has been conducted in some countries, including Korea, since the 2000s. The qualitative assessment generally involves an assessment of each component of the antibiotics prescription process, based on specific criteria. However, there is no standardized assessment method or cycle, and infectious diseases or antibiotics included in the assessments vary from country-to-country. According to the results reported in the United States, Europe, Australia, and Korea so far, approximately 20 - 55% of all antibiotics prescriptions are inappropriate. In this review, we describe the current progress in the quality assessment of the use of antibiotics on a global scale. Further, we highlight the future directions to improve antibiotic stewardship activities and the quality assessment of the use of antibiotics in Korea.

Current Status of Antibiotic Stewardship and the Role of Biomarkers in Antibiotic Stewardship Programs

The importance of antibiotic stewardship is increasingly emphasized in accordance with the increasing incidences of multidrug-resistant organisms and accompanying increases in disease burden. This review describes the obstacles in operating an antibiotic stewardship program (ASP), and whether the use of biomarkers within currently available resources can help. Surveys conducted around the world have shown that major obstacles to ASPs are shortages of time and personnel, lack of appropriate compensation for ASP operation, and lack of guidelines or appropriate manuals. Sufficient investment, such as the provision of full-time equivalent ASP practitioners, and adoption of computerized clinical decision systems are useful measures to improve ASP within an institution. However, these methods are not easy in terms of both time commitments and cost. Some biomarkers, such as C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and presepsin are promising tools in ASP due to their utility in diagnosis and forecasting the prognosis of sepsis. Recent studies have demonstrated the usefulness of algorithmic approaches based on procalcitonin level to determine the initiation or discontinuation of antibiotics, which would be helpful in decreasing antibiotics use, resulting in more appropriate antibiotics use.

EVALUATION OF THE IMPLEMENTATION OF PREVENTION AND INFECTION CONTROL PROGRAMS IN ARMENIAN HOSPITALS DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

ABSTRACT: Aim of the study: To determine the current state of implementation of key aspects of infection prevention and control (IPC) in Armenian hospitals, defined by the main components of WHO, using the survey tool IPCAF (Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Framework). Materials and methods. 113 hospitals were involved in the study. All participants filled in IPCAF questionnaire, Все они заполнили вопросник IPCAF, consisting of 8 sections (each rated up to 100 points) devoted to various aspects IPC. Depending on the total final score, IPC programs were divided into the following categories: advanced (601-800 points), intermediate (401-600 points), basic (201-400 points) and inadequate (0-200 points). The study conducted a descriptive analysis of the overall IPCAF score as well as the evaluation of scores of the relevant core components and some selected questions of particular interest. Results: The total average score for all IPCAF components for all hospitals in Armenia in 2021 is 578.07.9 points, which is currently regarded as an intermediate level. At the same time, 47 (41.6%) hospitals were assigned to the advanced category, 63 (55.7%) - to the average category and 3 (2.7%) - to the basic category. Analysis of the main IPC components (CC, Core component) revealed that the maximum average scores were obtained for the components CC2 (IPC Guidelines) - 80.8 points, CC8 (Creating a safe environment in medical premises, as well as materials and equipment for IPC) - 75.5 points and CC7 (Workload, staffing and number of beds) - 75.2 points. The lowest average scores were obtained for the key components: CC4 (Surveillance for healthcare-associated infections) with 54.7 points and CC3 (IPC education and training) with 59.5 points. Conclusion. Legislative and practical changes implemented in the real world during the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) pandemic have significantly contributed to improved scores for many key components of IPC programs. The study found that the IPCAF is a useful tool for assessing IPC standards and identifying gaps, regardless of a country economic development level. In our opinion, the re-use of IPCAF in all medical institutions should be encouraged, which is important for monitoring changes and trends in IPC, as well as developing individual strategies in the development and improvement of IPC.

Antimicrobial stewardship in Latin America: Past, present, and future

Implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) in well-resourced countries has been associated with reductions in antibiotic-resistant infections and improved patient outcomes. Several guidance documents providing recommendations on how to structure antimicrobial stewardship activities at the national and hospital level in resource-limited settings have been published. However, few hospitals in Latin America report having a structure or resources needed for a successful ASP. Given the alarming increases in antimicrobial resistance in Latin America, better understanding of barriers to promote implementation of effective ASPs is urgently needed. We have summarized past and present antimicrobial stewardship activities in Latin American hospitals, and we describe key elements needed in future efforts to strengthen antimicrobial stewardship in the region.

Self-reported survey on infection prevention and control structures in healthcare facilities part of a national level healthcare associated infection surveillance network in India, 2019

BACKGROUND

Healthcare associated infections (HAIs) are prevalent and difficult to treat worldwide. Most HAIs can be prevented by effective implementation of Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) measures. A survey was conducted to assess the existing IPC practices across a network of Indian Hospitals using the World Health Organization designed self-assessment IPC Assessment Framework (IPCAF) tool.

METHODS

This was a cross sectional observation study. Thirty-two tertiary care public and private facilities, part of the existing Indian HAI surveillance network was included. Data collected was analyzed by a central team at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, a tertiary care hospital of India. The WHO questionnaire tool was used to understand the capacity and efforts to implement IPC practices across the network.

RESULTS

The overall median score of IPCAF across the network was 620. Based on the final IPCAF score of the facilities; 13% hospitals had basic IPC practices, 28% hospitals had intermediate and 59% hospitals had advanced IPC practices. The component multimodal strategies had the broadest range of score while the component IPC guidelines had the narrowest one.

CONCLUSIONS

Quality improvement training for IPC nurses and healthcare professionals are needed to be provided to health facilities.

Training in infectious diseases across europe in 2021 - A survey on training delivery, content and assessment

OBJECTIVES

To define the status of Infectious Diseases (ID) as an approved specialty in Europe; to enumerate the number of specialists (in general and in relation to the overall population) and specialist trainees and describe the content, delivery, and evaluation of postgraduate training in ID in different countries.

METHODS

Structured web-based questionnaire surveys in March 2021 of responsible national authorities, specialist societies and individual country representatives to the Section of Infectious Diseases of the European Union for Medical Specialties. Descriptive analysis of quantitative and qualitative responses.

RESULTS

In responses received from 33/35 (94.3%) countries, ID is recognised as a specialty in 24 and as a subspecialty of general internal medicine (GIM) in 8, but it is not recognised in Spain. The number of ID specialists per country varies from <5 per million inhabitants to 78 per million. Median length of training is 5 (IQR 4.0 - 6.0) years with variable amounts of preceding and/or concurrent GIM. Only 21.2% of countries (7/33) provide the minimum recommended training of 6 months in microbiology and 30% cover competencies such as palliative care, team working and leadership, audit, and quality control. Training is monitored by personal logbook or e-portfolio in 75% (25/33) and assessed by final exams in 69.7% (23/33) of countries, but yearly reviews with trainees only occur in 54.5% (18/33) of countries.

CONCLUSIONS

There are substantial gaps in modernisation of ID training in many countries to match current European Training Requirements. Joint training with clinical microbiology and in multidisciplinary team working should be extended. Training/monitoring trainers should find greater focus, together with regular feedback to trainees within many national training programmes.

Training and assessment of medical specialists in clinical microbiology and infectious diseases in Europe

BACKGROUND

There is wide variation in the availability and training of specialists in the diagnosis and management of infections across Europe.

OBJECTIVES

To describe and reflect on the current objectives, structure and content of European curricula and examinations for the training and assessment of medical specialists in Clinical (Medical) Microbiology (CM/MM) and Infectious Diseases (ID).

SOURCES

Narrative review of developments over the past two decades and related policy documents and scientific literature.

CONTENT

Responsibility for curricula and examinations lies with the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS). The ID Section of UEMS was inaugurated in 1997 and the MM Section separated from Laboratory Medicine in 2008. The sections collaborate closely with each other and the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID). Updated European Training Requirements (ETR) were approved for MM in 2017 and ID in 2018. These comprehensive curricula outline the framework for delivery of specialist training and quality control for trainers and training programmes, emphasizing the need for documented, regular formative reviews of progress of trainees. Competencies to be achieved include both specialty-related and generic knowledge, skills and professional behaviours. The indicative length of training is typically 5 years; a year of clinical training is mandated for CM/MM trainees and 6 months of microbiology laboratory training for ID trainees. Each Section is developing examinations using multiple choice questions to test the knowledge base defined in their ETR, to be delivered in 2022 following pilot examinations in 2021.

IMPLICATIONS

The revised ETRs and European examinations for medical specialists in CM/MM and ID provide benchmarks for national authorities to adapt or adopt locally. Through harmonization of postgraduate training and assessment, they support the promotion and recognition of high standards of clinical practice and hence improved care for patients throughout Europe, and improved mobility of trainees and specialists.

Needleless connector nursing care - Current practices, knowledge, and attitudes: An Australian perspective

BACKGROUND

Inappropriate needleless connector (NC) care is associated with device failure from catheter occlusion and patient blood stream infections (BSIs). This can be attributed to a lack of knowledge of connector designs and flushing, clamping, and syringe disconnection techniques. This study aimed to assess nurses' practice, knowledge, attitudes, and key influencers on appropriate care of NCs in an Australian facility and compare these with studies undertaken in the United States in 2011.

METHODS

A cross-sectional online survey was sent via email with a SurveyMonkey® link to all nurses working in clinical areas (total population sampling approach; approximately 1500 nurses), at an Australian hospital, in 2018. The survey was anonymous and open for 6 weeks. Analysis was with R software.

RESULTS

Response rate was approximately 19% (n = 283). Most (89%) of nurses stated that they clean NCs before each access. Only 25% correctly recognised the negative pressure NC, and 79% correctly identified the correct clamping and disconnection sequence. Positive pressure displacement devices were correctly identified by 44% of respondents, with 34% identifying the correct clamping and disconnecting technique. Nurses reported their behaviour was most influenced by local senior nurses.

CONCLUSIONS

There remains a significant gap in nurses' knowledge of NC device types, as well as the correct clamping and syringe disconnection for both negative and positive displacement NCs. This survey reaffirms that senior nurses are the key influencers of nurses' adherence to best practice guidelines.

Infectious Diseases Physician Workforce in Korea

This study aimed to evaluate the infectious disease (ID) physician workforce in Korea. We investigated the acquisition of ID physicians from 1992 to 2019 with their current working place in the Health Care System. We defined ID physicians working at general or tertiary-care hospitals as active ID physicians. A total 275 physicians acquired ID as a sub-specialty. Among the 275, 242 were active ID physicians. The density of active ID physicians was 0.47 per 100,000 population. Of all the 17 administrative districts, 11 (64.7%) fell short of 0.47, and 131 medical institutions employed the service of ID physicians. The median number of beds per adult ID physician was 372 (interquartile range, 280-507). It is essential to secure human resources to respond to emerging infectious diseases and perform the inherent work of ID physicians.

Impact of national policy on hand hygiene promotion activities in hospitals in Korea

BACKGROUND

After the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus outbreak in Korea in 2015, the Government established a strategy for infection prevention to encourage infection control activities in hospitals. The new policy was announced in December 2015 and implemented in September 2016. The aim of this study is to evaluate how infection control activities improved within Korean hospitals after the change in government policy.

METHODS

Three cross-sectional surveys using the WHO Hand Hygiene Self-Assessment Framework (HHSAF) were conducted in 2013, 2015, and 2017. Using a multivariable linear regression model, we analyzed the change in total HHSAF score according to survey year.

RESULTS

A total of 32 hospitals participated in the survey in 2013, 52 in 2015, and 101 in 2017. The number of inpatient beds per infection control professionals decreased from 324 in 2013 to 303 in 2015 and 179 in 2017. Most hospitals were at intermediate or advanced levels of progress (90.6% in 2013, 86.6% in 2015, and 94.1% in 2017). In the multivariable linear regression model, total HHSAF score was significantly associated with hospital teaching status (β coefficient of major teaching hospital, 52.6; 95% confidence interval [CI], 8.9 to 96.4; P = 0.018), beds size (β coefficient of 100 beds increase, 5.1; 95% CI, 0.3 to 9.8; P = 0.038), and survey time (β coefficient of 2017 survey, 45.1; 95% CI, 19.3 to 70.9; P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

After the new national policy was implemented, the number of infection control professionals increased, and hand hygiene promotion activities were strengthened across Korean hospitals.

COVID-19 in the pre-pandemic period: a survey of the time commitment and perceptions of infectious diseases physicians in Australia and New Zealand

BACKGROUND

Infectious diseases (ID) physicians perform a pivotal role in directing the response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).

AIM

To assess the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on workload and the perceptions of ID physicians regarding the national response in Australia and New Zealand in the pre-pandemic.

METHODS

A survey of ID physicians in Australia and New Zealand was undertaken from 3 to 10 March 2020. Respondents were asked to estimate time spent on SARS-CoV-2-related activities in February and report their agreement with statements on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 'strongly agree' to 'strongly disagree'. We also asked about the intended use of investigational agents.

RESULTS

There were 214 respondents (36% of 600 eligible participants). The median workload due to SARS-CoV-2-related activities was 34% of one full-time equivalent (interquartile range 18-68%). Less than a quarter (50, 23%) of respondents had experience managing cases, while 33% (70) had experience preparing during similar pandemics. Nevertheless, 88% (188/213) believed they were well informed when giving testing and management advice, and 45% (95/212) believed their national response was well coordinated. Additionally, 41% (88/214) were worried about becoming infected through occupational exposure. Over half (116, 54%) the respondents intended to use lopinavir/ritonavir in confirmed cases of COVID-19 with severe disease.

CONCLUSIONS

ID physicians spent a large proportion of time on SARS-CoV-2-related activities. Increased staffing is required to avoid burnout. Importantly, ID physicians feel well informed when giving advice. A national body should be established to co-ordinate response. Treatment efficacy trials are needed to clarify the utility of unproven treatments.

Effective Antimicrobial StewaRdship StrategIES (ARIES): Cluster Randomized Trial of Computerized Decision Support System and Prospective Review and Feedback

Background

Prospective review and feedback (PRF) of antibiotic prescriptions and compulsory computerized decision support system (CDSS) are 2 strategies of antimicrobial stewardship. There are limited studies investigating their combined effects. We hypothesized that the use of on-demand (voluntary) CDSS would achieve similar patient outcomes compared with automatically triggered (compulsory) CDSS whenever broad-spectrum antibiotics are ordered.

Methods

A parallel-group, 1:1 block cluster randomized crossover study was conducted in 32 medical and surgical wards from March to August 2017. CDSS use for piperacillin-tazobactam or carbapenem in the intervention clusters was at the demand of the doctor, while in the control clusters CDSS use was compulsory. PRF was continued for both arms. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality.

Results

Six hundred forty-one and 616 patients were randomized to voluntary and compulsory CDSS, respectively. There were no differences in 30-day mortality (hazard ratio [HR], 0.87; 95% CI, 0.67–1.12), re-infection and re-admission rates, antibiotic duration, length of stay, or hospitalization cost. The proportion of patients receiving PRF recommendations was not significantly lower in the voluntary CDSS arm (62 [10%] vs 81 [13%]; P = .05). Appropriate indication of antibiotics was high in both arms (351/448 [78%] vs 330/433 [74%]; P = .18). However, in geriatric medicine patients where antibiotic appropriateness was <50%, prescription via compulsory CDSS resulted in a shorter length of stay and lower hospitalization cost.

Conclusions

Voluntary broad-spectrum antibiotics with PRF via CDSS did not result in differing clinical outcomes, antibiotic duration, or length of stay. However, in the setting of low antibiotic appropriateness, compulsory CDSS may be beneficial.

One Health in hospitals: how understanding the dynamics of people, animals, and the hospital built-environment can be used to better inform interventions for antimicrobial-resistant gram-positive infections

Despite improvements in hospital infection prevention and control, healthcare associated infections (HAIs) remain a challenge with significant patient morbidity, mortality, and cost for the healthcare system. In this review, we use a One Health framework (human, animal, and environmental health) to explain the epidemiology, demonstrate key knowledge gaps in infection prevention policy, and explore improvements to control Gram-positive pathogens in the healthcare environment. We discuss patient and healthcare worker interactions with the hospital environment that can lead to transmission of the most common Gram-positive hospital pathogens – methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile, and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus – and detail interventions that target these two One Health domains. We discuss the role of animals in the healthcare settings, knowledge gaps regarding their role in pathogen transmission, and the absence of infection risk mitigation strategies targeting animals. We advocate for novel infection prevention and control programs, founded on the pillars of One Health, to reduce Gram-positive hospital-associated pathogen transmission.

The impact of infection control cost reimbursement policy on central line-associated bloodstream infections

BACKGROUND

In September 2016, the Korean National Health Insurance Service began reimbursing infection control (IC) costs on the condition that a certain number of doctors and full-time nurses for IC be allocated to supported hospitals. We analyzed the impact of the IC cost reimbursement policy on central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs).

METHODS

A before-and-after study that analyzed the CLABSI rate trends between preintervention (January 2016 to February 2017) and intervention (March to December 2017) periods using autoregression time series analysis was performed in intensive care units (ICUs) at a 750-bed, secondary care hospital in Daegu, Republic of Korea. The enhanced IC team visited ICUs daily, monitored the implementation of CLABSI prevention bundles, and educated all personnel involved in catheter insertion and maintenance from March 2017.

RESULTS

Autoregressive analysis revealed that the CLABSI rates per month in the preintervention and intervention periods were -0.256 (95% confidence interval, -0.613 to 0.101; P = .15) and -0.602 (95% confidence interval, -0.972 to -0.232; P = .008), respectively. The rates of compliance with maximal barrier precautions significantly improved from the preintervention (36.2%) to the intervention (77.9%) period (χ² test, P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

The IC cost reimbursement policy accelerated the decline in CLABSI rates significantly in monitored ICUs. A nationwide study to evaluate the effectiveness of the IC cost reimbursement policy for various health care-associated infections is warranted.

Selective reporting of antibiotic susceptibility testing results: a promising antibiotic stewardship tool

Introduction: Selective reporting of antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) results is a potentially interesting tool for antibiotic stewardship. It consists of performing AST according to usual practices, but the results are reported to the prescriber only for a few antibiotics (i.e. first-line agents) or not reported at all when colonization is likely.Areas covered: We retrieved 20 studies exploring the impact of selective reporting. Overall, selective reporting is able to influence antibiotic use, both discouraging prescription in case of colonization, and promoting the selection of narrow-spectrum agents. Most studies concerned urine samples. Evidence on the impact on antibiotic resistance is insufficient. Unintended consequences were not observed, but evidence on this topic is scarce. Selective reporting is well implemented in a few countries, and a huge heterogeneity of practices exists.Expert opinion: Evidence shows that selective reporting can help reducing inappropriate and unnecessary antibiotic prescriptions. Uncomplicated urinary tract infections are probably the best initial target, both in hospital and community settings, but other non-severe infections can be a suitable option. The implementation of selective reporting should be promoted by the scientific community, with detailed practical guidelines, and its impact should be further assessed in large interventional studies.

Antimicrobial stewardship staffing: How much is enough?

Antimicrobial stewardship improves patient care and reduces antimicrobial resistance, inappropriate use, and adverse outcomes. Despite high-profile mandates for antimicrobial stewardship programs across the healthcare continuum, descriptive data, and recommendations for dedicated resources, including appropriate physician, pharmacist, data analytics, and administrative staffing support, are not robust. This review summarizes the current literature on antimicrobial stewardship staffing and calls for the development of minimum staffing recommendations.

Essential Resources and Strategies for Antibiotic Stewardship Programs in the Acute Care Setting

Background

Antibiotic stewardship programs improve clinical outcomes and patient safety and help combat antibiotic resistance. Specific guidance on resources needed to structure stewardship programs is lacking. This manuscript describes results of a survey of US stewardship programs and resultant recommendations regarding potential staffing structures in the acute care setting.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey of members of 3 infectious diseases subspecialty societies actively involved in antibiotic stewardship was conducted. Survey responses were analyzed with descriptive statistics. Logistic regression models were used to investigate the relationship between stewardship program staffing levels and self-reported effectiveness and to determine which strategies mediate effectiveness.

Results

Two-hundred forty-four respondents from a variety of acute care settings completed the survey. Prior authorization for select antibiotics, antibiotic reviews with prospective audit and feedback, and guideline development were common strategies. Eighty-five percent of surveyed programs demonstrated effectiveness in at least 1 outcome in the prior 2 years. Each 0.50 increase in pharmacist and physician full-time equivalent (FTE) support predicted a 1.48-fold increase in the odds of demonstrating effectiveness. The effect was mediated by the ability to perform prospective audit and feedback. Most programs noted significant barriers to success.

Conclusions

Based on our survey's results, we propose an FTE-to-bed ratio that can be used as a starting point to guide discussions regarding necessary resources for antibiotic stewardship programs with executive leadership. Prospective audit and feedback should be the cornerstone of stewardship programs, and both physician leadership and pharmacists with expertise in stewardship are crucial for success.

A survey on antimicrobial stewardship prerequisites, objectives and improvement strategies: systematic development and nationwide assessment in Dutch acute care hospitals

Background

Stewardship guidelines define three essential building blocks for successful hospital antimicrobial stewardship programmes (ASPs): stewardship prerequisites, stewardship objectives and improvement strategies.

Objectives

We systematically developed a survey, based on these building blocks, to evaluate the current state of antimicrobial stewardship in hospitals. We tested this survey in 64 Dutch acute care hospitals.

Methods

We performed a literature review on surveys of antimicrobial stewardship. After extraction and categorization of survey questions, five experts merged and rephrased questions during a consensus meeting. After a pilot study, the survey was sent to 80 Dutch hospitals.

Results

The final survey consisted of 46 questions, categorized into hospital characteristics, stewardship prerequisites, stewardship objectives and stewardship strategies. The response rate was 80% (n = 64). Ninety-four percent of hospitals had established an antimicrobial stewardship team, consisting of at least one hospital pharmacist and one clinical microbiologist. An infectious diseases specialist was present in 68% of the teams. Nine percent had dedicated IT support. Forty-one percent of the teams were financially supported, with a median of 0.6 full-time equivalents (FTE; 0.1-1.8). The majority of hospitals performed monitoring of restricted antibiotic agents (91%), dose optimization (65%), bedside consultation (56%) and intravenous-to-oral switch (53%). Fifty-eight percent of the hospitals provided education to residents and 28% to specialists.

Conclusions

The survey provides information on the progress that is being made in hospitals regarding the three building blocks of a successful ASP, and provides clear aims to strengthen ASPs. Ultimately, these data will be related to national data on antibiotic consumption and resistance.

[Personal preconditions for the prevention of nosocomial infections-guidelines of the German Commission for Hospital Hygiene and Infection Prevention (KRINKO), federal state hygiene regulations in Germany, and compliance by hospitals in Frankfurt am Main]

According to the amendment of the Infection Protection Act (2011), § 23, 8, all federal states in Germany had to pass their own hospital hygiene regulations, in which the need for hygiene specialists in a hospital is defined.This publication explains in its first part the differences between the nationwide Commission for Hospital Hygiene and Infection Prevention (KRINKO) regulations and the hygiene regulations of the different federal states (Hesse, Bavaria, etc.). All federal states - with the exception of Hesse (Hessian Hygiene Regulation, HHygVO) - refer to the relevant expert recommendations of KRINKO.In a second part of this publication, we highlight differences between KRINKO and HHygVO with the example of hospitals in the city of Frankfurt. In 2017, all Frankfurt hospitals had the necessary hygiene specialists (authorized hygiene practitioners, infection control nurses, authorized hygiene care nurses). However, the need for hospital hygienists could not be met, because there is an insufficient number of physician specialists for hospital hygiene available in Germany.The hospitals cannot solve this problem on their own - a political, superordinate decision and regulation must be made, i. e. by regulation and financial support for the advanced training of post-graduate physicians in hygiene. This is important since only experienced hospital hygienists can instruct or supervise hygiene specialists-in-training.

Organization and training at national level of antimicrobial stewardship and infection control activities in Europe: an ESCMID cross-sectional survey

Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) and Infection prevention and control (IPC) are two key complementary strategies that combat development and spread of antimicrobial resistance. The ESGAP (ESCMID Study Group for AMS), EUCIC (European Committee on Infection Control) and TAE (Trainee Association of ESCMID) investigated how AMS and IPC activities and training are organized, if present, at national level in Europe. From February 2018 to May 2018, an internet-based cross-sectional survey was conducted through a 36-item questionnaire, involving up to three selected respondents per country, from 38 European countries in total (including Israel), belonging to the ESGAP/EUCIC/TAE networks. All 38 countries participated with at least one respondent, and a total of 81 respondents. Education and involvement in AMS programmes were mandatory during the postgraduate training of clinical microbiology and infectious diseases specialists in up to one-third of countries. IPC was acknowledged as a specialty in 32% of countries. Only 32% of countries had both guidance and national requirements regarding AMS programmes, in contrast to 61% for IPC. Formal national staffing standards for AMS and IPC hospital-based activities were present in 24% and 63% of countries, respectively. The backgrounds of professionals responsible for AMS and IPC programmes varied tremendously between countries. The organization and training of AMS and IPC in Europe are heterogeneous and national requirements for activities are frequently lacking.

Recent Advances in Investigation, Prevention, and Management of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs): Resistant Multidrug Strain Colonization and Its Risk Factors in an Intensive Care Unit of a University Hospital

Active screening for resistant multidrug strain carriers remains an important component of infection control policy in any healthcare setting indifferent of financial and logistical costs. The objective of our study was to determine the spectrum of bacterial colonization individually among intensive care unit patients. A retrospective observational study was performed in the Intensive Care Unit of Emergency Clinical County Hospital of Oradea during 2017. Medical records of the patients were used for evaluation of source of ICU admission, previous antibiotic therapy, comorbidities, and length of hospital stay. Nasal and groin swabs for MRSA detection and rectal swabs for ESBL, VRE, and CRE detection were collected upon ICU admission of all patients in the first 24 hours and after 7 days. Swab samples were processed for isolation and identification of these resistant multidrug strains. Bacterial colonization on admission was detected in a quarter of patients included in the study. Carbapenemase-producing bacteria were the most common colonizers (21.16%). On admission, 12.06% of patients have been colonized by ESBL-producing members of the family Enterobacterales. Risk factors for colonization on admission to the ICU were chronic liver diseases and chronic renal failure for ESBL infection and chronic liver disease for CRE in male patients. Evaluation of Carmeli's score for male patients showed association only with CRE colonization. Chronic renal failure was found as risk factor for ESBL colonization in female patients. The prevalence of MRSA was 5.23% and less than 1% for VRE. There was no association between any risk factors studied and the presence of S. aureus or VRE upon admission. The 7-day ICU stay also proved to be an increased risk for ESBL and CRE infection.

A national survey on the implementation of key infection prevention and control structures in German hospitals: results from 736 hospitals conducting the WHO Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Framework (IPCAF)

Background

Healthcare-associated infections (HAI) pose a burden on healthcare providers worldwide. To prevent HAI and strengthen infection prevention and control (IPC) structures, the WHO has developed a variety of tools and guidelines. Recently, the WHO released the Infection Prevention and Control Assessment Framework (IPCAF), a questionnaire-like tool designed for assessing IPC structures at the facility level. The IPCAF reflects the eight WHO core components of IPC. Data on the implementation of IPC measures in German hospitals are scarce. Therefore, it was our objective to utilize the IPCAF in order to gather information on the current state of IPC implementation in German hospitals, as well as to promote the IPCAF to a broad audience.

Methods

The National Reference Center for Surveillance of Nosocomial Infections (NRZ) sent a translated version of the IPCAF to 1472 acute care hospitals in Germany. Data entry and transfer to the NRZ was done electronically between October and December 2018. The IPCAF was conceived in a way that depending on the selected answers a score was calculated, with 0 being the lowest possible and 800 the highest possible score. Depending on the overall score, the IPCAF allocated hospitals to four different “IPC levels”: inadequate, basic, intermediate, and advanced.

Results

A total of 736 hospitals provided a complete dataset and were included in the data analysis. The overall median score of all hospitals was 690, which corresponded to an advanced level of IPC. Only three hospitals (0.4%) fell into the category “basic”, with 111 hospitals (15.1%) being “intermediate” and 622 hospitals (84.5%) being “advanced”. In no case was the category “inadequate” allocated. More profound differences were found between the respective core components. Components on multimodal strategies and workload, staffing, ward design and bed occupancy revealed the lowest scores.

Conclusions

IPC key aspects in general are well established in Germany. Potentials for improvement were identified particularly with regard to workload and staffing. Insufficient implementation of multimodal strategies was found to be another relevant deficit. Our survey represents a successful attempt at promoting the IPCAF and encouraging hospitals to utilize WHO tools for self-assessment.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13756-019-0532-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A mixed method multi-country assessment of barriers to implementing pediatric inpatient care guidelines

Introduction

Accelerating progress in reducing child deaths is needed in order to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal child mortality target. This will require a focus on vulnerable children–including young children, those who are undernourished or with acute illnesses requiring hospitalization. Improving adherence to inpatient guidelines may be an important strategy to reduce child mortality, including among the most vulnerable. The aim of our assessment of nine sub-Saharan African and South Asian hospitals was to determine adherence to pediatric inpatient care recommendations, in addition to capacity for and barriers to implementation of guideline-adherent care prior to commencing the Childhood Acute Illness and Nutrition (CHAIN) Cohort study. The CHAIN Cohort study aims to identify modifiable risk factors for poor inpatient and post discharge outcomes above and beyond implementation of guidelines.

Methods

Hospital infrastructure, staffing, durable equipment, and consumable supplies such as medicines and laboratory reagents, were evaluated through observation and key informant interviews. Inpatient medical records of 2–23 month old children were assessed for adherence to national and international guidelines. The records of children with severe acute malnutrition (SAM) were oversampled to reflect the CHAIN study population. Seven core adherence indicators were examined: oximetry and oxygen therapy, fluids, anemia diagnosis and transfusion, antibiotics, malaria testing and antimalarials, nutritional assessment and management, and HIV testing.

Results

All sites had facilities and equipment necessary to implement care consistent with World Health Organization and national guidelines. However, stockouts of essential medicines and laboratory reagents were reported to be common at some sites, even though they were mostly present during the assessment visits. Doctor and nurse to patient ratios varied widely. We reviewed the notes of 261 children with admission diagnoses of sepsis (17), malaria (47), pneumonia (70), diarrhea (106), and SAM (119); 115 had multiple diagnoses. Adherence to oxygen therapy, antimalarial, and malnutrition refeeding guidelines was >75%. Appropriate antimicrobials were prescribed for 75% of antibiotic-indicative conditions. However, 20/23 (87%) diarrhea and 20/27 (74%) malaria cases without a documented indication were prescribed antibiotics. Only 23/122 (19%) with hemoglobin levels meeting anemia criteria had recorded anemia diagnoses. HIV test results were infrequently documented even at hospitals with universal screening policies (66/173, 38%). Informants at all sites attributed inconsistent guideline implementation to inadequate staffing.

Conclusion

Assessed hospitals had the infrastructure and equipment to implement guideline-consistent care. While fluids, appropriate antimalarials and antibiotics, and malnutrition refeeding adherence was comparable to published estimates from low- and high-resource settings, there were inconsistencies in implementation of some other recommendations. Stockouts of essential therapeutics and laboratory reagents were a noted barrier, but facility staff perceived inadequate human resources as the primary constraint to consistent guideline implementation.

Practices, organisation, and regulatory aspects in advising on antibiotic prescription: the international ESCMID AntibioLegalMap survey

PURPOSE

Giving advice about antibiotic prescription through dedicated consultations is a cornerstone of antibiotic stewardship programmes. Our objective was to explore practices, organisation, and regulatory requirements related to antibiotic advising.

METHODS

We performed an international, exploratory, Internet-based, cross-sectional survey targeting infectious diseases and clinical microbiology specialists. It was disseminated through ESCMID and ESGAP networks.

RESULTS

Answers from 830 participants (74 countries, 77% of participants from Europe) were collected. Consultations were mostly given on demand (81%, 619/764), while unsolicited consultations targeting specific conditions (e.g., positive blood culture) were less frequent (66%, 501/764). Consultations usually included indications on diagnostic work-up and follow-up (> 79%). Curbside consultations (i.e., without examining the patient) were reported by 82% (598/733) of respondents, mainly by phone (89%, 531/598). The referring physician was considered authorised not to follow the advice by 57% (383/676). Direct consultations (i.e., after examining the patient) were recorded in the medical file more frequently than curbside consultations (69%, 472/689 vs 35%, 206/592). Concerning legal liability, the majority of respondents considered that it is shared between the adviser and the referring physician, who, however, is considered primarily responsible. The advisers' liability was considered to be lower in cases of curbside and unrecorded consultations. Significant inter-countries and intra-country variability were identified, suggesting that the setting markedly influenced practices.

CONCLUSION

Significant variability exists in the practice of antibiotic advising. This concerns both the organisation of care and how advisers perceive regulatory requirements. These elements must be taken into account when implementing antibiotic stewardship programmes and when training stewards.

Routine HIV testing program in the University Infectious Diseases Centre in Lithuania: a four-year analysis

BACKGROUND

HIV transmission remains a major concern in Eastern Europe, and too many people are diagnosed late. Expanded testing strategies and early and appropriate access to care are required. Infectious disease departments might be targets for expanded HIV testing owing to the intense passage of key patient populations that carry indicators of HIV disease. Our objective was to evaluate the feasibility and clinical effectiveness of a fully integrated, opt-out routine, rapid HIV testing program.

METHODS

A retrospective four-year study of a screening program was conducted from 2010 through 2014. The program was divided into two periods: from 2010 to 2012 (pilot study) and from 2013 to 2014. The pilot study consisted of routine HIV testing of patients aged 18-55 that were hospitalized in one department. In the second period, all inpatients aged 18-65 were eligible. Targeted testing was conducted in the other inpatient department during the pilot study and the outpatient department during both periods.

RESULTS

During the pilot study, 2203 patients were hospitalized, 1314 (59.6%) were eligible, 954 (72.6%) were tested, and 3 (0.31%) were newly diagnosed HIV-positive. In the second period, 4911 patients were hospitalized, 3727 (75.9%) were eligible, 3303 (88.6%) were tested, and 7 (0.21%) were HIV-positive. In total, 2800 targeted tests were performed, and 4 (0.14%) patients tested positive with newly discovered HIV. All 14 newly diagnosed patients were provided with care. Comparing cumulative groups of routine and targeted testing, the HIV prevalence was 0.23% vs. 0.14% (p = 0.40) and was above the reported cost-effectiveness threshold of 0.1% (p = 0.012). A lower proportion of advanced disease and a higher proportion of heterosexually transmitted infection were found in the routine testing group.

CONCLUSION

Routine HIV testing in admissions of infectious diseases is acceptable, feasible, sustainable and clinically effective. Compared to targeted testing, routine testing helped to discover more patients in earlier stages and those with heterosexually transmitted HIV infection.

How are trainees in clinical microbiology and infectious diseases supervised in Europe? An international cross-sectional questionnaire survey by the Trainee Association of ESCMID

The purpose of this study was to map the supervision of European trainees in clinical microbiology and infectious diseases during their training. An international cross-sectional questionnaire survey of 38 questions was distributed among trainees and recently graduated medical specialists from European countries. Descriptive analyses were performed on both the total group of respondents and regionally. In total, 393 respondents from 37 different countries were included. The median of overall satisfaction with the supervisor was 4 (interquartile range 3-4) on a Likert scale (range 1, not satisfied at all-5, completely satisfied). Overall, merely 34% of respondents received constructive feedback from their supervisor on a regularly basis, 36% could evaluate their own supervisor, and just 63% were evaluated on their skills using a written plan. Fifty-two percent did not receive the opportunity to do a part of the specialty training abroad and 63% received support from their supervisors to be involved in research projects or publishing papers. A considerable proportion of trainees, mainly in Southern and Eastern European regions, felt that they did not receive sufficient supervision. This information may be useful in the pursuit of harmonizing the quality of training, achieving a common curriculum, and identifying robust and objective criteria to coach and evaluate trainees in a proper way.

Managing responsible antimicrobial use: perspectives across the healthcare system

BACKGROUND

Healthcare systems consist of building blocks. Shaping how these building blocks function and interact can promote responsible antimicrobial use, and this represents an important opportunity for managers at different points within healthcare systems to act upon.

AIMS

To review real-world examples of how healthcare systems can promote responsible antimicrobial use, focusing on the role of governance and managers.

SOURCES

We searched and reviewed existing literature and official documents, which mostly focused on antibiotics. We also drew on the diverse experiences of the ESGAP (the ESCMID (European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases) Study Group for Antimicrobial stewardshiP) network.

CONTENT

First, we explored at the institution level the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programmes, the need to embrace multidisciplinary approaches, the benefits of engaging with social sciences experts, and the role of governance and leadership. We look beyond individual institutions and highlight the urgent need for workforce capacity estimates for antimicrobial stewardship activities, how antimicrobial stewardship efforts can connect to form networks, and the importance of governance and regulation at national and international levels.

IMPLICATIONS

Managers in the healthcare system are in a strong position to look beyond individual prescriptions and to recognize the many ways in which different healthcare system building blocks can contribute to responsible use of antimicrobials. At the institution level this can be achieved by implementing antimicrobial stewardship programmes, ensuring they are adequately resourced, and driving buy-in across clinical leadership. At regional and national levels this includes facilitating the sharing of experiences and resources between institutions, and developing the standards and regulations needed to support responsible antimicrobial use.