Preventing infections caused by carbapenemase-producing bacteria in the intensive care unit - Think about the sink

Too much ado about data: Continuous remote monitoring of water temperatures, circulation and throughput can assist in the reduction of hospital-associated waterborne infections

BACKGROUND

National and international guidance provides advice on maintenance and management of water systems in healthcare buildings, however, healthcare-associated waterborne infections (HAWI) are increasing. This narrative review identifies parameters critical to water quality in healthcare buildings and assesses if remote sensor monitoring can deliver safe water systems thus reducing HAWI.

METHOD

A narrative review was performed using the following search terms 1) consistent water temperature AND waterborne pathogen control OR nosocomial infection 2) water throughput AND waterborne pathogen control OR nosocomial infection 3) remote monitoring of in-premise water systems AND continuous surveillance for temperature OR throughput OR flow OR use. Databases employed were PubMed, CDSR (Clinical Study Data Request) and DARE (Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects) from Jan 2013 - Mar 2024.

FINDINGS

Single ensuite-patient rooms, expansion of wash-hand basins, widespread glove use, alcohol gel and wipes have increased water system stagnancy resulting in amplification of waterborne pathogens and transmission risk of Legionella, Pseudomonas and Non-Tuberculous Mycobacteria. Manual monitoring does not represent temperatures across large complex water systems. This review deems that multiple point continuous remote sensor monitoring is effective at identifying redundant and low use outlets, hydraulic imbalance and inconsistent temperature delivery across in-premise water systems.

CONCLUSION

As remote monitoring becomes more common there will be greater recognition of failures in temperature control, hydraulics and balancing in water systems and there remains much to learn as we adopt this developing technology within our hospitals.

Outbreak of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on a neonatal intensive care unit: Lessons from a Qatari setting

Background

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). Robust infection prevention and control is key to reducing risk.

Aims

We describe lessons learnt from an NICU outbreak of P.aeruginosa in the main maternity hospital in the country.

Methods

Cases were identified from clinical samples and active screening. Clinical information was collected from the electronic patient record. Infection prevention and control (IPC) practice observations were made using organisational checklists and unit observations. Microbiological testing was by conventional microbiological methods. Statistical analyses were performed using R program. Associations were assessed using the Mann-Whitney U or Fisher exact test. Isolates were typed by pulsed field gel electrophoresis; gel was analysed in Bionumerics software from Applied Maths, Belgium.

Results

Five cases were identified - one was excluded as maternal acquisition. Typing showed a polyclonal outbreak. Widespread contamination of tap outlets of handwashing sinks in clinical areas was found. Main contributing factors were extensive misuse of hand wash sinks for waste disposal, improper sink cleaning, poor hand hygiene compliance and inadequate environmental cleaning.

Discussion

Successful management required a multi-disciplinary approach. All potential water sources and moist environments within and outside the unit were investigated. Interventions successfully addressed the main contributing factors, supported by good communication and robust auditing. With a diverse workforce, the challenge was to ensure housekeeping staff understood handwash sink cleaning procedures; existing training programmes were delivered in multiple languages tailored to the workforce.

Genomic and epidemiological insight of an outbreak of carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales in a Portuguese hospital with the emergence of the new KPC-124

BACKGROUND

Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) is an increasing problem in healthcare settings. This study aimed to identify the source of a CPE outbreak that occurred in 2022, in a tertiary hospital in the North of Portugal, to identify exposed patients, and to assess the risk of becoming CPE-positive following hospital admission.

METHODS

A multi-disciplinary investigation was conducted including descriptive, analytical, and molecular epidemiology, environmental screening, and assessment of infection control measures. Clinical and environmental isolates were analyzed using whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Additionally, a prospective observational cohort study was conducted to further investigate the risk factors associated with the emergence of new cases in cohorts of CPE-negative admitted patients.

RESULTS

We observed the presence of multispecies KPC-, IMP-, and/or NDM-producing isolates. Genetically indistinguishable clinical and environmental isolates were found on the same room/ward. The ST45 KPC-3-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae clone was the responsible for the outbreak. During patients' treatment, we detected the emergence of resistance to ceftazidime-avibactam, associated with mutations in the blaKPC-3 gene (blaKPC-46, blaKPC-66 and blaKPC-124, the last variant never previously reported), suggesting a vertical evolutionary trajectory. Patients aged ≥ 75 years, hygiene/feeding-care dependent, and/or subjected to secretion aspiration were risk factors for CPE colonization after hospital admission. Additionally, cases with previous admission to the emergency department suggest that CPE dissemination may occur not only during hospitalization but also in the emergency department.

CONCLUSION

Overall, the study highlights that selection pressure with antibiotics, like ceftazidime-avibactam, is a contributing factor to the emergence of new β-lactamase variants and antibiotic resistance. It also shows that the hospital environment can be a significant source of CPE transmission, and that routine use of infection control measures and real-time molecular epidemiology investigations are essential to ensure the long-term termination of CPE outbreaks and prevent future resurgences.

Source Control of Gram-Negative Bacteria Using Self-Disinfecting Sinks in a Swedish Burn Centre

Several retrospective studies have identified hospital sinks as reservoirs of Gram-negative bacteria. The aim of this study was to prospectively investigate the bacterial transmission from sinks to patients and if self-disinfecting sinks could reduce this risk. Samples were collected weekly from sinks (self-disinfecting, treated with boiling water, not treated) and patients in the Burn Centre at Linköping University Hospital, Sweden. The antibiotic susceptibility of Gram-negative isolates was tested, and eight randomly chosen patient isolates and their connected sink isolates were subjected to whole genome sequencing (WGS). Of 489 sink samples, 232 (47%) showed growth. The most frequent findings were Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (n = 130), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (n = 128), and Acinetobacter spp. (n = 55). Bacterial growth was observed in 20% of the samplings from the self-disinfecting sinks and in 57% from the sinks treated with boiling water (p = 0.0029). WGS recognized one transmission of Escherichia coli sampled from an untreated sink to a patient admitted to the same room. In conclusion, the results showed that sinks can serve as reservoirs of Gram-negative bacteria and that self-disinfecting sinks can reduce the transmission risk. Installing self-disinfecting sinks in intensive care units is an important measure in preventing nosocomial infection among critically ill patients.

Implementing changes to reduce infections in ICU patients. Water services and waste systems

Background

Evidence linking the role of water services in transmission of infection to patients in ICUs has increased in recent years.

Aims

This research based commentary set out to identify potential solutions for water and wastewater systems in ICU settings.

Methods

Databases and open source information was used to obtain data on approaches to water and wastewater-related issues in ICU settings. This and the authors experiences have been used to describe approaches to these problems.

Findings

The lack of updated guidance has required some ICUs to develop unique responses, including 'water free' patient care combined with reduction in water services. The options consider guidance, compliance, training and education as key factors to successful outcomes and protecting vulnerable patients in ICU.

Discussion

The authors found a number of problems with water and wastewater systems in ICU to which there has not been a cohesive response in terms of guidance to support users and designers. The resultant void permits new projects to proceed with suboptimal and designs which place patients and staff at risk. As an interim measure a series of solutions suitable for existing units and new builds need to be considered.

The role of the microbiology laboratory in the diagnosis of multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacilli infections. The importance of the determination of resistance mechanisms

Early diagnosis and treatment has an important impact on the morbidity and mortality of infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. Multidrug-resistant gram-negative bacilli (MR-GNB) constitute the main current threat in hospitals and especially in intensive care units (ICU). The role of the microbiology laboratory is essential in providing a rapid and effective response. This review updates the microbiology laboratory procedures for the rapid detection of BGN-MR and its resistance determinants. The role of the laboratory in the surveillance and control of outbreaks caused by these bacteria, including typing techniques, is also studied. The importance of providing standardized resistance maps that allow knowing the epidemiological situation of the different units is emphasized. Finally, the importance of effective communication systems for the transmission of results and decision making in the management of patients infected by BGN-MR is reviewed.

The problem of multi-resistance in gram-negative bacilli in intensive care units: Treatment and prevention strategies

The rise of infections caused by multi-resistant gram-negative bacilli (MR-GNB), which includes carbapenems, represents one of the major current challenges worldwide. These MR-GNB include extended spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales, derepressed AmpC-producing or carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales as well as non-fermenting Gram-negative bacilli such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa or Acinetobacter baumannii. P. aeruginosa predominantly exhibits other resistance mechanisms different to β-lactamases such as expulsion pumps or loss of porins. A. baumannii frequently presents several of these resistance mechanisms. Mortality is high especially if empirical treatment is inadequate. In this review, treatment strategies are revised, describing the tools available to identify patients in whom empirical antibiotic treatment would be justified to cover MR-GNB, the importance of optimizing the administration of these antibiotics, as well as prevention strategies to avoid its spread from patients colonized or infected by a MR-GNB.