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Background: Little is known about the clinical characteristics and pathogens causing hospital-acquired bloodstream infections (HA-BSIs) in relation to an intensive care unit (ICU) stay. Methods: Population-based cohort study, comprising 35% of the Danish population, 2009–2016. We derived four patient groups with first-time HA-BSIs: no ICU stay during the admission (non-ICU patients) and HA-BSI acquired before, in, or after an ICU stay (before-ICU, in-ICU, and after-ICU patients). These groups were compared in relation to microbiological and clinical characteristics, including 28- and >28-day mortality. Results: Among 6888 HA-BSI patients, 4017, 792, 1388, and 691 were non-ICU, before-ICU, in-ICU, and after-ICU, respectively. The rates of several microorganisms differed between the patient groups, e.g., Enterococci (9.4% of non-ICU and 32.0% of in-ICU patients). The 28-day mortality was 26.3% in non-ICU, 45.0% in before-ICU, 35.6% in in-ICU, and 19.0% in after-ICU patients. The corresponding adjusted hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) were 2.10 (1.85–2.36), 1.67 (1.50–1.87), and 0.76 (0.63–0.91) (reference: non-ICU patients). There were few differences as regards >28-day mortality. Conclusions: We found large differences between common microorganisms and prognosis between the four patient groups. After-ICU patients had the lowest 28-day mortality despite age and comorbidity characteristics similar to the other three groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Bacterial bloodstream infections (BSI) are among the most common causes of healthcare-associated infections. In this study, the patients diagnosed with primary BSI were evaluated, risk factors and the distribution profiles of the pathogenic microorganisms were identified. Materials and Methods: Culture-confirmed 206 nosocomial primary bacteremic episodes were evaluated regarding age, gender, underlying disease, presence of a catheter, distribution of pathogenic microorganisms, and status of their antimicrobial resistance. Results: 206 episodes of bacteremia were identified in 183 patients diagnosed with nosocomial primary BSI during a period of 5 years among the patients evaluated with active surveillance. The most common underlying disease was diabetes mellitus. There was an intravascular catheter in 55% of the patients. The most commonly isolated microorganisms were A.baumannii, coagulase-negative staphylococci and E.coli. Conclusion: In recent years, the bacterial profile of the causative agents of BSI has changed from gram-positive to gram-negative microorganisms. Antibiotic resistance rates have also increased significantly. In the selection of empirical treatment, it is important to know the complicating factors, the causative pathogen profile of the region and hospital, and the antibiotic susceptibility and resistance rates for appropriate treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the associations between centre/country-based factors and two important process and outcome indicators in patients with hospital-acquired bloodstream infections (HABSI). Methods: We used data on HABSI from the prospective EUROBACT-2 study to evaluate the associations between centre/country factors on a process or an outcome indicator: adequacy of antimicrobial therapy within the first 24 h or 28-day mortality, respectively. Mixed logistical models with clustering by centre identified factors associated with both indicators. Results: Two thousand two hundred nine patients from two hundred one intensive care units (ICUs) were included in forty-seven countries. Overall, 51% (n = 1128) of patients received an adequate antimicrobial therapy and the 28-day mortality was 38% (n = 839). The availability of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) for aminoglycosides everyday [odds ratio (OR) 1.48, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.03–2.14] or within a few hours (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.34–2.38), surveillance cultures for multidrug-resistant organism carriage performed weekly (OR 1.45, 95% CI 1.09–1.93), and increasing Human Development Index (HDI) values were associated with adequate antimicrobial therapy. The presence of intermediate care beds (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.47–0.84), TDM for aminoglycoside available everyday (OR 0.66, 95% CI 0.44–1.00) or within a few hours (OR 0.51, 95% CI 0.37–0.70), 24/7 consultation of clinical pharmacists (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.47–0.95), percentage of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) between 10% and 25% in the ICU (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.00–2.80), and decreasing HDI values were associated with 28-day mortality. Conclusion: Centre/country factors should be targeted for future interventions to improve management strategies and outcome of HABSI in ICU patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

COVID-19 pandemic has changed in-hospital care and was linked to superimposed infections. Here, we described epidemiology and risk factors for hospital-acquired bloodstream infections (HA-BSIs), before and during COVID-19 pandemic. This retrospective, observational, single-center real-life study included 14,884 patients admitted to hospital wards and intensive care units (ICUs) with at least one blood culture, drawn 48 h after admission, either before (pre-COVID, N = 7382) or during pandemic (N = 7502, 1203 COVID-19+ and 6299 COVID-19–). Two thousand two hundred and forty-five HA-BSI were microbiologically confirmed in 14,884 patients (15.1%), significantly higher among COVID-19+ (22.9%; ptrend <.001). COVID-19+ disclosed a significantly higher mortality rate (33.8%; p <.001) and more ICU admissions (29.7%; p <.001). Independent HAI-BSI predictors were: COVID-19 (OR: 1.43, 95%CI: 1.21–1.69; p <.001), hospitalization length (OR: 1.04, 95%CI: 1.03–1.04; p <.001), ICU admission (OR: 1.38, 95%CI: 1.19–1.60; p <.001), neoplasms (OR:1.48, 95%CI: 1.34–1.65; p <.001) and kidney failure (OR: 1.81, 95%CI: 1.61–2.04; p <.001). Of note, HA-BSI IRs for Acinetobacter spp. (0.16 × 100 patient-days) and Staphylococcus aureus (0.24 × 100 patient-days) peaked during the interval between first and second pandemic waves in our National context. Patients with HA-BSI admitted before and during pandemic substantially differed. COVID-19 represented a risk factor for HA-BSI, though not confirmed in the sole pandemic period. Some etiologies emerged between pandemic waves, suggesting potential COVID-19 long-term effect on HA-BSIs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Bacterial infections are a major complication for patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT). Therefore, protective isolation is considered crucial to prevent nosocomial infections in this population. Here, the impact of intensified contact precautions on environmental contamination and the occurrence of bloodstream infections (BSI) in patients on a HCT unit were compared between two contact precaution measures. Methods A 2-year retrospective observational study was performed. In the first year, strict contact precaution measures were applied (i.e., protective isolation, the use of sterile personal protective equipment (PPE) by healthcare workers and visitors and sterilization of linen and objects that entered the patient’s room). After one year, contact precautions were reduced (i.e., no use of sterile PPE, no sterilization of linen and objects that entered the patient’s room). Environmental contamination in randomly selected patient rooms was monitored by sampling six standardized environmental sites in the respective patient treatment units. In a before-and-after study, the number of BSI episodes of those patients, who were accommodated in the monitored rooms was compared. Results In total, 181 treatment units were monitored. No significant difference in the contamination of anterooms and patient’s rooms between both groups was found. A total of 168 patients were followed for the occurrence of BSI during the entire study period (before: 84 patients, after: 84 patients). The total count of patients with BSI episodes showed a higher incidence in the period with reduced contact precautions (30/84 vs. 17/84, p = 0.039). The cause of this increasing number of BSI can be traced back to BSI episodes with common commensal bacteria (17/84 vs. 5/84, p = 0.011). Conclusions The implementation of maximal barrier measures did not reduce the bacterial contamination of the patients’ environment. The impact on the patients’ outcomes remain controversial. Further research is needed to investigate the impact of infection prevention measures on the clinical outcome of patients undergoing HCT.

Background: Bacterial infections are a major complication for patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT). Therefore, protective isolation is considered crucial to prevent nosocomial infections in this population. Here, the impact of intensified contact precautions on environmental contamination and the occurrence of bloodstream infections (BSI) in patients on a HCT unit were compared between two contact precaution measures. Methods: A 2-year retrospective observational study was performed. In the first year, strict contact precaution measures were applied (i.e., protective isolation, the use of sterile personal protective equipment (PPE) by healthcare workers and visitors and sterilization of linen and objects that entered the patient’s room). After one year, contact precautions were reduced (i.e., no use of sterile PPE, no sterilization of linen and objects that entered the patient’s room). Environmental contamination in randomly selected patient rooms was monitored by sampling six standardized environmental sites in the respective patient treatment units. In a before-and-after study, the number of BSI episodes of those patients, who were accommodated in the monitored rooms was compared. Results: In total, 181 treatment units were monitored. No significant difference in the contamination of anterooms and patient’s rooms between both groups was found. A total of 168 patients were followed for the occurrence of BSI during the entire study period (before: 84 patients, after: 84 patients). The total count of patients with BSI episodes showed a higher incidence in the period with reduced contact precautions (30/84 vs. 17/84, p = 0.039). The cause of this increasing number of BSI can be traced back to BSI episodes with common commensal bacteria (17/84 vs. 5/84, p = 0.011). Conclusions: The implementation of maximal barrier measures did not reduce the bacterial contamination of the patients’ environment. The impact on the patients’ outcomes remain controversial. Further research is needed to investigate the impact of infection prevention measures on the clinical outcome of patients undergoing HCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing of hospitalized patients may have benefit in reducing hospital-acquired bloodstream infections (HABSIs). However, the magnitude of effect, implementation fidelity, and patient-centered outcomes are unclear. In this meta-analysis, we examined the effect of CHG bathing on prevention of HABSIs and assessed fidelity to implementation of this behavioral intervention. Methods We undertook a meta-analysis by searching Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, and Cochrane’s CENTRAL registry from database inception through January 4, 2019 without language restrictions. We included randomized controlled trials, cluster randomized trials and quasi-experimental studies that evaluated the effect of CHG bathing versus a non-CHG comparator for prevention of HABSIs in any adult healthcare setting. Studies of pediatric patients, of pre-surgical CHG use, or without a non-CHG comparison arm were excluded. Outcomes of this study were HABSIs, patient-centered outcomes, such as patient comfort during the bath, and implementation fidelity assessed through five elements: adherence, exposure or dose, quality of the delivery, participant responsiveness, and program differentiation. Three authors independently extracted data and assessed study quality; a random-effects model was used. Results We included 26 studies with 861,546 patient-days and 5259 HABSIs. CHG bathing markedly reduced the risk of HABSIs (IRR = 0.59, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.52–0.68). The effect of CHG bathing was consistent within subgroups: randomized (0.67, 95% CI: 0.53–0.85) vs. non-randomized studies (0.54, 95% CI: 0.44–0.65), bundled (0.66, 95% CI: 0.62–0.70) vs. non-bundled interventions (0.51, 95% CI: 0.39–0.68), CHG impregnated wipes (0.63, 95% CI: 0.55–0.73) vs. CHG solution (0.41, 95% CI: 0.26–0.64), and intensive care unit (ICU) (0.58, 95% CI: 0.49–0.68) vs. non-ICU settings (0.56, 95% CI: 0.38–0.83). Only three studies reported all five measures of fidelity, and ten studies did not report any patient-centered outcomes. Conclusions Patient bathing with CHG significantly reduced the incidence of HABSIs in both ICU and non-ICU settings. Many studies did not report fidelity to the intervention or patient-centered outcomes. For sustainability and replicability essential for effective implementation, fidelity assessment that goes beyond whether a patient received an intervention or not should be standard practice particularly for complex behavioral interventions such as CHG bathing. Trial registration Study registration with PROSPERO CRD42015032523.

Summary: This matched cohort study estimates the effect of hospital-acquired bloodstream infection (HA-BSI) on length of stay (LOS) and costs during hospitalisation of 1839 patients (age range <1 to >80 years) gathered from 19 acute hospitals in Belgium. A second objective was to evaluate the impact of the choice of matching criteria. Data from national surveillance of HA-BSI were linked to hospital administrative discharge data, with respect for the patients'' right to confidentiality of their health record. Controls were identified based on a set of matching factors: hospital, All-Patient Refined Diagnosis Related Groups, age, principal diagnosis, Charlson Comorbidity Index and time to infection. The results showed that, depending on the choice of matching factors, the estimation of additional LOS decreased from 26 to 10 days, with the most critical factor being the time to infection. The additional LOS attributable to HA-BSI was 9.9 days [95% confidence interval (CI): 7.8, 11.9]. The additional cost per infection was €4900 [95% CI: €4035, €5750]; 58% of those costs were due to LOS, 10% were due to antibiotics, 10% due to other pharmaceutical products and 15% were due to billed medical acts. The main conclusion is that laboratory-confirmed HA-BSIs increase the LOS by 10 days for patients surviving the infection, and that the time to infection plays a crucial role in this estimation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing of hospitalized patients may have benefit in reducing hospital-acquired bloodstream infections (HABSIs). However, the magnitude of effect, implementation fidelity, and patient-centered outcomes are unclear. In this meta-analysis, we examined the effect of CHG bathing on prevention of HABSIs and assessed fidelity to implementation of this behavioral intervention.Methods: We undertook a meta-analysis by searching Medline, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, and Cochrane's CENTRAL registry from database inception through January 4, 2019 without language restrictions. We included randomized controlled trials, cluster randomized trials and quasi-experimental studies that evaluated the effect of CHG bathing versus a non-CHG comparator for prevention of HABSIs in any adult healthcare setting. Studies of pediatric patients, of pre-surgical CHG use, or without a non-CHG comparison arm were excluded. Outcomes of this study were HABSIs, patient-centered outcomes, such as patient comfort during the bath, and implementation fidelity assessed through five elements: adherence, exposure or dose, quality of the delivery, participant responsiveness, and program differentiation. Three authors independently extracted data and assessed study quality; a random-effects model was used.Results: We included 26 studies with 861,546 patient-days and 5259 HABSIs. CHG bathing markedly reduced the risk of HABSIs (IRR = 0.59, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.52-0.68). The effect of CHG bathing was consistent within subgroups: randomized (0.67, 95% CI: 0.53-0.85) vs. non-randomized studies (0.54, 95% CI: 0.44-0.65), bundled (0.66, 95% CI: 0.62-0.70) vs. non-bundled interventions (0.51, 95% CI: 0.39-0.68), CHG impregnated wipes (0.63, 95% CI: 0.55-0.73) vs. CHG solution (0.41, 95% CI: 0.26-0.64), and intensive care unit (ICU) (0.58, 95% CI: 0.49-0.68) vs. non-ICU settings (0.56, 95% CI: 0.38-0.83). Only three studies reported all five measures of fidelity, and ten studies did not report any patient-centered outcomes.Conclusions: Patient bathing with CHG significantly reduced the incidence of HABSIs in both ICU and non-ICU settings. Many studies did not report fidelity to the intervention or patient-centered outcomes. For sustainability and replicability essential for effective implementation, fidelity assessment that goes beyond whether a patient received an intervention or not should be standard practice particularly for complex behavioral interventions such as CHG bathing.Trial Registration: Study registration with PROSPERO CRD42015032523 . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]