Patients' experiences and compliance with preoperative screening and decolonization

BACKGROUND

To improve adherence with pre-surgical screening for Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriage and decolonization, we need more information about patients' experiences with these protocols.

METHODS

We surveyed patients undergoing orthopedic, neurosurgical, or cardiac operations at Johns Hopkins Hospitals (JHH), the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics (UIHC) at MercyOne Northeast Iowa Neurosurgery (MONIN) to assess patients' experiences with decolonization protocols.

RESULTS

Five hundred thirty-four patients responded. Respondents at JHH were significantly more likely than those at the UIHC to report using mupirocin and were significantly more likely than those at the UIHC and MONIN to feel they received adequate information about surgical site infection (SSI) prevention and decolonization. Respondents at JHH were the least likely to not worry about SSI and they were more willing to do anything they could to prevent SSI. Few patients reported barriers to adherence and side effects of mupirocin or chlorhexidine.

CONCLUSION

Respondents did not report either major side effects or barriers to adherence. Patients varied in their level of concern about SSI, their willingness to invest effort in preventing SSI, and their assessments of preoperative information. To improve patients' adherence, clinicians and hospitals should assess their patients' needs and desires and tailor their preoperative processes, education, and prophylaxis accordingly.

Predictors of Staphylococcus Aureus Nasal Colonization in Joint Arthroplasty Patients

Early identification and treatment of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) nasal colonization can reduce the risk of prosthetic joint infection. The purpose of this study was to evaluate patient-specific predictors for S. aureus nasal colonization in total joint arthroplasty patients to aid in preoperative screening protocols. A total of 2,147 arthroplasty patients who were preoperatively screened for S. aureus nasal colonization were retrospectively reviewed. Factors analyzed consisted of procedure type, primary diagnosis, gender, ethnicity, body mass index, the presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, obstructive sleep apnea, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, use of immunosuppression medication, smoking history, and chronic kidney disease. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed with significance p < 0.05 and 95% confidence intervals. Overall, 3.7% (79) of our cohort tested positive for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and 23.2% (493) tested positive for methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA). Independent predictors for MRSA colonization were of Hispanic ethnicity (p = 0.001, odds ratio [OR] 13.98, confidence interval [CI] 2.97-65.76), immunosuppression medication use (p = 0.006, OR 2.82, CI 1.35-5.87), and revision total hip arthroplasty (THA) procedure (p < 0.001, OR 7.51, CI 2.58-21.89). Independent predictors for MSSA colonization were body mass index (BMI) >35 (p = 0.002, OR 1.57, CI 1.19-2.1). Variables were found to be protective against MSSA colonization including female gender (p = 0.012, OR 0.76, CI 0.61-0.94), age 60 to 69 (p = 0.025, OR 0.75, CI 0.58-0.96), and age 70 to 79 (p = 0.002, OR 0.63, CI 0.47-0.84). Age, Hispanic ethnicity, gender, revision THA, use of immunosuppression medication, and elevated BMI were independent risk factors for S. aureus nasal colonization.

Decolonization of Staphylococcus aureus

Staphylococcus aureus infections are associated with increased morbidity, mortality, hospital stay, and health care costs. S aureus colonization has been shown to increase risk for invasive and noninvasive infections. Decolonization of S aureus has been evaluated in multiple patient settings as a possible strategy to decrease the risk of S aureus transmission and infection. In this article, we review the recent literature on S aureus decolonization in surgical patients, patients with recurrent skin and soft tissue infections, critically ill patients, hospitalized non-critically ill patients, dialysis patients, and nursing home residents to inform clinical practice.

Staphylococcus aureus: A predominant cause of surgical site infections in a rural healthcare setup of Uttarakhand

Introduction:

Surgical site infections (SSIs) represent the second most common type of healthcare-associated infections and remain a relatively common postoperative complication and the most common reason for readmission after surgery. SSIs have dire implications for the surgeon, patient, and institution which often require prolonged treatment, impose an economic burden and double the risk of patient mortality. Staphylococcus aureus is currently the most common cause of SSIs causing as many as 37% of cases of SSIs in community hospitals with methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) of particular concern.

Materials and Methods:

This cross-sectional study was conducted from January 2014 to December 2014 in a rural tertiary care hospital of Pauri Garhwal district of Uttarakhand state, India. Samples were collected using sterile cotton swabs from 269 patients clinically diagnosed with SSIs and were processed as per standard microbiological techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done using a modified Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method.

Results:

Out of 1294 patients, 269 (20.8%) were found to have SSIs and samples were collected from them. Out of a total of 269 samples, 258 (95.9%) yielded bacterial growth and 267 bacterial isolates were obtained. S. aureus (45.3%) was the commonest organism followed by Escherichia coli (13.9%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (6.7%), and Proteus species (4.9%). Antimicrobial profile of S. aureus revealed maximum sensitivity to rifampicin, linezolid, teicoplanin, vancomycin, and amikacin whereas ampicillin, cefazolin, and gentamicin were found to be least sensitive.

Conclusion:

S. aureus played a predominant role in the etiology of SSIs in this hospital with MRSA being a major concern as the treatment options for such resistant strains are limited. Reduction in SSI rates can lead to both better clinical outcomes for patients and cost savings for hospitals. Adherence to strict infection control measures, maintenance of proper hand hygiene and optimal preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative patient care can surely reduce the incidence of SSIs. A multifaceted approach involving the surgical team, microbiologist, and the infection control team is required to provide quality surgical services.

Reduction of periprosthetic Staphylococcus aureus infection by preoperative screening and decolonization of nasal carriers undergoing total knee arthroplasty

Objective

The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the establishment of a preoperative screening and decolonization protocol for Staphylococcus aureus carriers undergoing total knee arthroplasty (TKA) could decrease the incidence of periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) caused by this microorganism.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study comparing a control group comprising 400 patients (134 men, and 266 women; mean age: 72.2 ± 6.8 years) who went through surgery between January 2009 and December 2013, with a second intervention group of 403 patients (125 men, and 278 women; mean age: 72.4 ± 6.9 years) in which the protocol of screening and decolonization of S. aureus nasal carriers was applied between January 2014 and December 2016. During this latter period patients were preoperatively screened and, if positive, treated with mupirocin nasal ointment and chlorhexidine soap, for 5 days prior to surgery.

Results

In the control group, 17 of 400 patients (4.2%) had a SSI, 8 (2%) of them caused by S. aureus and 9 (2.2%) by other microorganisms. In the intervention group 20.6% of patients had a positive S. aureus nasal swab and were treated according to the protocol. 5 of 403 patients (1.2%) in this group had a SSI, 1 (0.2%) due to S. aureus and 4 (1%) to other microorganisms. When comparing surgical-site infection (SSI) rates between the two groups, we found a statistically significant reduction in both global SSI (p = 0.009) and specifically S. aureus SSI (p = 0.02), in the intervention group. No decolonized S. aureus nasal carrier presented a SSI.

Discussion

In patients undergoing TKA a preoperative screening and decolonization protocol for S. aureus nasal carriers, using mupirocin nasal ointment and chlorhexidine soap, is an effective measure to reduce the rate of SSI caused by this microorganism.

Level of Evidence

Level III; Therapeutic Study.

Randomized controlled trial of a self-administered five-day antiseptic bundle versus usual disinfectant soap showers for preoperative eradication of Staphylococcus aureus colonization

OBJECTIVE

To determine the efficacy in eradicating Staphylococcus aureus (SA) carriage of a 5-day preoperative decolonization bundle compared to 2 disinfectant soap showers, with both regimens self-administered at home.

DESIGN

Open label, single-center, randomized clinical trial.

SETTING

Ambulatory orthopedic, urologic, neurologic, colorectal, cardiovascular, and general surgery clinics at a tertiary-care referral center in the United States.ParticipantsPatients at the University of Minnesota Medical Center planning to have elective surgery and not on antibiotics.

METHODS

Consenting participants were screened for SA colonization using nasal, throat, axillary, and perianal swab cultures. Carriers of SA were randomized, stratified by methicillin resistance status, to a decolonization bundle group (5 days of nasal mupirocin, chlorhexidine gluconate [CHG] bathing, and CHG mouthwash) or control group (2 preoperative showers with antiseptic soap). Colonization status was reassessed preoperatively. The primary endpoint was absence of SA at all 4 screened body sites.

RESULTS

Of 427 participants screened between August 31, 2011, and August 9, 2016, 127 participants (29.7%) were SA carriers. Of these, 121 were randomized and 110 were eligible for efficacy analysis (57 decolonization bundle group, 53 control group). Overall, 90% of evaluable participants had methicillin-susceptible SA strains. Eradication of SA at all body sites was achieved for 41 of 57 participants (71.9%) in the decolonization bundle group and for 13 of 53 participants (24.5%) in the control group, a difference of 47.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], 29.1%-65.7%; P<.0001).

CONCLUSION

An outpatient preoperative antiseptic decolonization bundle aimed at 4 body sites was significantly more effective in eradicating SA than the usual disinfectant showers (ie, the control).Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02182115.

Risk Factors for Staphylococcus aureus Nasal Colonization in Joint Arthroplasty Patients

BACKGROUND

Several studies have shown that Staphylococcus aureus (S aureus) nasal colonization is associated with surgical site infection and that preoperative decolonization can reduce infection rates. Up to 30% of joint arthroplasty patients have positive S aureus nasal swabs. Patient risk factors for colonization remain largely unknown. The aim of this study was to determine whether there is a specific patient population at increased risk of S aureus nasal colonization.

METHODS

This study is a retrospective review of 716 patients undergoing hip or knee arthroplasty beginning in 2011. All patients were screened preoperatively for nasal colonization. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to assess risk factors for nasal colonization.

RESULTS

A total of 716 patients undergoing joint arthroplasty had preoperative nasal screening. One hundred twenty-five (17.50%) nasal swabs were positive for methicillin-susceptible S aureus (MSSA), 13 (1.80%) were positive for methicillin-resistant S aureus (MRSA), and 84 (11.70%) were positive for other organisms. In bivariate analysis, diabetes (P = .04), renal insufficiency (P = .03), and immunosuppression (P = .02) were predictors of nasal colonization with MSSA/MRSA. In multivariate analysis, immunosuppression (P = .04; odds ratio, 2.0; 95% confidence interval, 1.03-3.71) and renal insufficiency (P = .04; odds ratio, 2.5; 95% confidence interval, 1.01-6.18) were independent predictors of nasal colonization with MSSA/MRSA.

CONCLUSION

Overall, 17.5% of patients undergoing primary hip or knee arthroplasty screened positive for S aureus. Diabetes, renal insufficiency, and immunosuppression are risk factors for such colonization. Given that these comorbidities are already known independent risk factors for periprosthetic joint infection, these patients should be particularly screened and when necessary, decolonized.

Strategies to prevent infections associated with cardiovascular implantable electronic devices

INTRODUCTION

Infections involving cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIED) are associated with high morbidity and mortality and substantial financial cost. In the past two decades, the rate of CIED infections has increased disproportionate to the number of devices implanted, likely due to aging patient population with multiple comorbidities. Microbial contamination of the generator pocket and or leads by skin flora at the time of implantation is a major mechanism for early CIED infections. Due to resistance to host immune cells and antibiotics caused by biofilm formation, complete removal of the device generator and leads is required to achieve cure. Areas covered: In this manuscript, we review the published literature regarding epidemiology, risk factors, and pathogenesis of CIED infections with primary focus on the preventative strategies to reduce the incidence of device infections. Expert commentary: Strict adherence to infection control measures at the time of CIED implantation is critical in reducing the risk of device infection while adjunctive strategies such as use of antimicrobial envelopes might help in certain high-risk individuals. Technological advances in device manufacturing with availability of subcutaneous devices without transvenous leads and self-contained intracardiac devices without leads and generator show promise with lower risk of infection.

Infection and readmission rate of cardiac implantable electronic device insertions: An observational single center study

BACKGROUND

Infection is one of the most serious complications following surgical placement of cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs). Infection prevention efforts are necessary in reducing CIED infectious outcomes. These devices, however, are commonly inserted in higher risk patients, which may explain the ongoing risk of surgical site infection (SSI) in this population. The rates of CIED infection and utilization vary widely in the literature. The definitions of infection may also vary between clinical definitions and the National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) criteria.

METHODS

The primary objective of this study was to review patient data to identify risk factors for infection and readmission after CIED placement at an academic medical center. The secondary objectives were to compare the rates of SSI identified by NHSN criteria compared to that obtained by applying clinical infection definitions.

RESULTS

The overall rate of infection (SSI) was 1.9%, which was identical in both the clinical definition and NHSN reported data. The 30 day readmission rate and the 90 day readmission rate were 12.7% and 25.6% respectively with the most readmissions related to the patients' underlying medical conditions. A lower ejection fraction (EF) was identified as an independent risk factor for readmission, inpatient procedures, smoking and device infection were also significantly associated with readmission after CIED insertion.

Prevention of Surgical Site Infections: Decontamination With Mupirocin Based on Preoperative Screening for Staphylococcus aureus Carriers or Universal Decontamination?

Perioperative decolonization of Staphylococcus aureus nasal carriers with mupirocin together with chlorhexidine body washing reduces the incidence of S. aureus surgical site infection. A targeted strategy, applied in S. aureus carriers only, is costly, and implementation may reduce effectiveness. Universal decolonization is more cost-effective but increases exposure of noncarriers to mupirocin and the risk of resistance to mupirocin in staphylococci. High-level mupirocin resistance in S. aureus can emerge through horizontal gene transfer originating from coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) and through clonal transmission. The current evidence on the occurrence of high-level mupirocin resistance in S. aureus and CoNS, in combination with the results of mathematical modeling, strongly suggests that the increased selection of high-level mupirocin resistance in CoNS does not constitute an important risk for high-level mupirocin resistance in S. aureus. Compared with a targeted strategy, universal decolonization seems associated with an equally low risk of mupirocin resistance in S. aureus.

Cardiac Implantable Electronic Device Infection: From an Infection Prevention Perspective

A cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) is indicated for patients with severely reduced ejection fraction or with life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias. Infection related to a CIED is one of the most feared complications of this life-saving device. The rate of CIED infection has been estimated to be between 2 and 25; though evidence shows that this rate continues to rise with increasing expenditure to the patient as well as healthcare systems. Multiple risk factors have been attributed to the increased rates of CIED infection and host comorbidities as well as procedure related risks. Infection prevention efforts are being developed as defined bundles in numerous hospitals around the country given the increased morbidity and mortality from CIED related infections. This paper aims at reviewing the various infection prevention measures employed at hospitals and also highlights the areas that have relatively less established evidence for efficacy.

Swabbing Surgical Sites Does Not Improve the Detection of Staphylococcus aureus Carriage in High-Risk Surgical Patients

BACKGROUND

A major risk factor for the development of surgical site infections is Staphylococcus aureus carriage. Compared with non-carriers, S. aureus carriers have up to a 14-fold greater risk for post-surgical infections. Pre-operative screening for S. aureus carriage is controversial. Yet, targeted screening in high-risk patients or from clinically relevant sites may be beneficial. We aimed to determine whether S. aureus detection in high-risk surgical patients would be increased by culturing surgical sites, in addition to the nares, vs. nares-only culturing.

METHODS

Adults undergoing pre-operative evaluations in orthopedic and neurosurgical clinics were eligible for participation. For each subject, specimens were collected from the anterior nares and from the proposed surgical site. Samples were inoculated onto methicillin-resistant S. aureus-selective chromogenic agar plates and blood agar plates.

RESULTS

Of 150 subjects, 80 (53.3%) were women and 70 (46.7%) men. The mean age was 61 years and 77/150 (51.3%) had a BMI≥30. Culture results were available for 147/150 subjects. Of the 147 surgical site cultures, 54 (36.7%), 51 (34.7%), and 28 (19.0%) were collected from knee, hip, and lumbar sites, respectively; the remaining 14 (9.5%) were from cervical, thoracic, or infra-clavicular sites. Overall, 35/147 (23.8%) nasal cultures grew S. aureus; 29/147 (19.7%) grew methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (MSSA), and 6/147 (4.1%) grew methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA). Only 2/147 (1.4%) surgical site cultures grew S. aureus; both grew MSSA and MSSA was cultured also from the nasal swabs of these subjects. Using nasal culture+surgical site culture as "true positive," the percentage of additional S. aureus carriers detected by the addition of surgical site screening was zero as compared to nasal screening alone.

CONCLUSIONS

The detection of S. aureus carriage in high-risk surgical patients is not improved by swabbing surgical sites in addition to the nares.