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Approximately 70% (90.5 million) of United States (US) households own at least one pet. Dogs are the most common, making up about 38% of all household pets, followed by cats, which make up 25%. Other pets such as fish, birds, reptiles, and small animals such as hamsters, gerbils, and rabbits are less common household members. Pets are often considered a part of the family and there are significant medical and psychosocial benefits to pet ownership; however, the possibility of disease transmission exists related to the type of animal and infectious organism, and specific human risk factors. Immunocompromised individuals may be at increased risk of serious illness from zoonotic infections. During the transplant evaluation and routinely posttransplant, the multidisciplinary team should inquire about pet ownership and animal exposures to guide on potential risks. This review discusses the most common diseases seen in various household pets including dogs, cats, birds, fish, and some farm animals. We will also present guidelines for pet safety and include strategies to decrease the risk of infection while supporting the benefits of pet ownership after transplant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Central catheters expose ICU patients at risk of catheter-related bloodstream infections. A mechanism by which these infections occur is the contamination of the catheter during its insertion if aseptic techniques are not strictly applied. Recent studies suggest that the use of ultrasound guidance (USG) may increase the risk of catheter contamination during insertion. We assessed current practices regarding the use of USG during catheter insertion, with a focus on identifying breaches of the surgical asepsis required for this invasive procedure. Methods In 26 intensive care units, we evaluated the use of USG during catheter insertion, using a questionnaire addressed to intensivists and direct observation of their practices. Results We analyzed 111 questionnaires and 36 observations of intensivists placing catheters. The questionnaires revealed that 88% of intensivists used USG for catheter insertion. Among those using USG, 56% had received specific training, 17% benefited from specific recommendations, 76% marked the insertion site before skin antisepsis, and during catheter insertion, 96% used sterile gel and 100% used a sterile sheath and sterile gloves. We identified potential deviations from strict aseptic technique, including contact between the sheath and the needle (19.4%), handling of the US system during catheter insertion (2.8%), and use of sterile devices, where they were not yet necessary (during the marking site or skin antisepsis), resulting in their contamination at the time of catheter insertion. Conclusions Interventions aimed at ensuring compliance with measures to prevent CRBs should be organized to prevent an increase in infections associated with US-guided catheter insertion.

Background: Central catheters expose ICU patients at risk of catheter-related bloodstream infections. A mechanism by which these infections occur is the contamination of the catheter during its insertion if aseptic techniques are not strictly applied. Recent studies suggest that the use of ultrasound guidance (USG) may increase the risk of catheter contamination during insertion. We assessed current practices regarding the use of USG during catheter insertion, with a focus on identifying breaches of the surgical asepsis required for this invasive procedure. Methods: In 26 intensive care units, we evaluated the use of USG during catheter insertion, using a questionnaire addressed to intensivists and direct observation of their practices. Results: We analyzed 111 questionnaires and 36 observations of intensivists placing catheters. The questionnaires revealed that 88% of intensivists used USG for catheter insertion. Among those using USG, 56% had received specific training, 17% benefited from specific recommendations, 76% marked the insertion site before skin antisepsis, and during catheter insertion, 96% used sterile gel and 100% used a sterile sheath and sterile gloves. We identified potential deviations from strict aseptic technique, including contact between the sheath and the needle (19.4%), handling of the US system during catheter insertion (2.8%), and use of sterile devices, where they were not yet necessary (during the marking site or skin antisepsis), resulting in their contamination at the time of catheter insertion. Conclusions: Interventions aimed at ensuring compliance with measures to prevent CRBs should be organized to prevent an increase in infections associated with US-guided catheter insertion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Background: Patients after Fontan palliation represent a growing pediatric population requiring heart transplant (HTx) and often have lymphopenia (L) and/or hypogammaglobinemia that may be exacerbated by protein‐losing enteropathy (PLE, P). The post‐HTx effects of this altered immune phenotype are not well studied. Methods: In this study of the Pediatric Heart Transplant Society Registry, 106 Fontan patients who underwent HTx between 2005 and 2018 were analyzed. The impact of lymphopenia and PLE on graft survival, infection, rejection, and malignancy was analyzed at 1 and 5 years post‐HTx. Results: The following combinations of lymphopenia and PLE were noted: +L+P, n = 37; +L−P, n = 23; −L+P, n = 10; and −L−P, n = 36. Graft survival between the groups was similar within the first year after transplant (+L+P: 86%, +L−P: 86%, −L+P: 87%, −L−P: 89%, p =.9). Freedom from first infection post‐HTx was greatest among −L−P patients compared to patients with either PLE, lymphopenia, or both; with a 22.1% infection incidence in the −L−P group and 41.4% in all others. These patients had a significantly lower infection rate in the first year after HTx (+L+P: 1.03, +L−P: 1, −L+P: 1.3, −L−P: 0.3 infections/year, p <.001) and were similar to a non‐single ventricle CHD control group (0.4 infections/year). Neither freedom from rejection nor freedom from malignancy 1 and 5 years post‐HTx, differed among the groups. Conclusions: Fontan patients with altered immunophenotype, with lymphopenia and/or PLE, are at increased risk of infection post‐HTx, although have similar early survival and freedom from rejection and malignancy. These data may encourage alternative immunosuppression strategies and enhanced monitoring for this growing subset of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Since the advent of AIDS, men who have sex with men (MSM) have often been deferred from blood donation. In France, quarantine plasma donation by MSM donors with the same deferral rules as for other donors was introduced in July 2016 and continued up to March 2022. At this time, MSM‐specific deferral criteria were lifted for all blood or plasma donation. The donor deferral, as well as rate of infectious markers in plasma donors who would have been otherwise deferred for MSM activity, was evaluated and compared with those of the other donors during the same time period from June 2016 to March 2022. Results: A total of 8843 MSM donors made 12,250 plasma donation applications. The overall deferral rate was very high (75.2%), mainly due to the absence of apheresis capacity at the donation site. The deferral criteria for sexual risk were present in 12.1% of MSM donors compared with 1.0% in other plasma and blood donors (p < 0.001). Overall, 994 MSM donors made 2880 plasma donations. Of these, one donation was HIV positive (34.7 vs. 0.6/105 donations by other donors, relative risk [RR]: 61.0 [95% confidence interval [CI]: 8.5–437.7]), one was HBV positive (34.7 vs. 4.5/105, RR: 7.7 [95% CI: 1.1–54.6]) and none were HCV positive (0 vs. 2.4/105). Additionally, 21 donations were syphilis positive (729.2 vs. 10.7/105, RR: 67.9 [95% CI: 44.2–104.4]). A post hoc analysis of eligible MSM donors who were unable to donate plasma due to logistic constraints yielded similar findings. Conclusion: Plasma donation by donors who would have been otherwise deferred for MSM activity was associated with both an increased deferral rate for sexual risk and an increased rate of infectious markers, notably syphilis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Since B cells have been linked to multiple sclerosis (MS) and its progression as well as T cells, the second-generation anti-CD20 recombinant humanized monoclonal antibody ocrelizumab has been approved for MS treatment. Although ocrelizumab efficiently depletes B cells in peripheral blood, some B cells and CD20 negative plasma cells persist in lymphatic organs, and their survival is regulated by the B-cell-activating factor (BAFF)/a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) system. Moreover, ocrelizumab may result in higher infectious risk. Herein, we investigated plasma BAFF, APRIL and CD40L levels and their relationship with infectious risk in ocrelizumab-treated people with (pw) MS at baseline, at 6 months and at 12 months after starting the treatment, comparing the above-mentioned findings with a control group. At baseline, plasma levels of all three cytokines were higher compared to the control group. In pwMS, the longitudinal assessment showed a significant increase in plasma BAFF levels and a significant reduction in plasma APRIL and CD40L. Moreover, when stratifying pwMS according to the onset of an infectious event during the 12-month follow-up period, significantly higher plasma BAFF levels were found at all time-points in the group with an infectious event than in the group without an infectious event. Hence, BAFF may have a role as a marker of immune dysfunction and infectious risk. Background: The anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody ocrelizumab has been widely employed in the treatment of people with multiple sclerosis (pwMS). However, its B-cell-depleting effect may induce a higher risk of infectious events and alterations in the secretion of B-cell-activating factors, such as BAFF, APRIL and CD40L. Methods: The aim of this study was to investigate plasma BAFF, APRIL and CD40L levels and their relationship with infectious risk in ocrelizumab-treated pwMS at baseline (T0), at 6 months (T6) and at 12 months (T12) after starting the treatment. As a control group, healthy donors (HD) were enrolled too. Results: A total of 38 pwMS and 26 HD were enrolled. At baseline, pwMS showed higher plasma BAFF (p < 0.0001), APRIL (p = 0.0223) and CD40L (p < 0.0001) levels compared to HD. Compared to T0, plasma BAFF levels were significantly increased at both T6 and T12 (p < 0.0001 and p < 0.0001, respectively). Whereas plasma APRIL and CD40L levels were decreased at T12 (p = 0.0003 and p < 0.0001, respectively). When stratifying pwMS according to the development of an infectious event during the 12-month follow-up period in two groups—with (14) and without an infectious event (24)—higher plasma BAFF levels were observed at all time-points; significantly, in the group with an infectious event compared to the group without an infectious event (T0: p < 0.0001, T6: p = 0.0056 and T12: p = 0.0400). Conclusions: BAFF may have a role as a marker of immune dysfunction and of infectious risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occupational risk of infection in forensic workers is a cause for concern, furthermore in the current context of the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic. In order to characterize this risk, we performed an extended review of the literature on occupational infections occurring in forensic workers. Seventeen articles were included. Direct contamination by aerosolization was the main mode of transmission reported, with 17 cases of tuberculosis. Indirect contamination was described as the mode of transmission in 10 cases (five cases of blastomycosis, two cases of tuberculosis, two Streptococcus pyogenes , and one case of human immunodeficiency virus). In all the other included cases, the mode of transmission was unknown. For two of them, the information provided was sufficient to link them to occupational exposure (one case of toxoplasmosis, one case of tuberculosis). For the remaining 10 cases, the link was uncertain (six cases of tuberculosis, three of hepatitis B, and one of COVID-19). Even if there is probably significant under-declaration, the number of infections linked to an occupational risk in forensic workers is not alarming, thanks to effective preventive measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Nocardia infections are rare opportunistic infections in SOT recipients, with few reported pediatric cases. Pediatric patients with single ventricle congenital heart defects requiring HT may be more susceptible to opportunistic infections due to a decreased T‐cell repertoire from early thymectomy and potential immunodeficiencies related to their congenital heart disease. Other risk factors in SOT recipients include the use of immunosuppressive medications and the development of persistent lymphopenia, delayed count recovery and/or lymphocyte dysfunction. Methods: We report the case of a patient with hypoplastic left heart syndrome who underwent neonatal congenital heart surgery (with thymectomy) prior to palliative surgery and 2 HTs. Results: After developing respiratory and neurological symptoms, the patient was found to be positive for Nocardia farcinica by BAL culture and cerebrospinal fluid PCR. Immune cell phenotyping demonstrated an attenuated T and B‐cell repertoire. Despite antibiotic and immunoglobulin therapy, his symptoms worsened and he was subsequently discharged with hospice care. Conclusion: Pediatric patients with a history of congenital heart defects who undergo neonatal thymectomy prior to heart transplantation and a long‐term history of immunosuppression should undergo routine immune system profiling to evaluate for T‐ and B‐cell deficiency as risk factors for opportunistic infection. Such patients could benefit from long‐term therapy with TMP/SMX for optimal antimicrobial prophylaxis, with desensitization as needed for allergies. Disseminated nocardiosis should be considered when evaluating acutely ill SOT recipients, especially those with persistent lymphopenia and known or suspected secondary immunodeficiencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is well known that rheumatic diseases are characterized by an increased infection risk, due to several factors, such as an intrinsically dysfunctional immune system, disease activity, and the use of immunosuppressive drugs. Glucocorticoids are widely used therapeutic agents for treating several chronic inflammatory and immune diseases, due to their anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects. Their use is burdened by well-known side effects in dose- and duration of use-dependent manner. Physicians need to be aware of the mechanism of action of glucocorticoids, their side effects, particularly infectious side effects, and the significance of cumulative dose and duration of glucocorticoid treatment. Additionally, physicians shoultdleveld have knowledge of each patient and their comorbidities. They could use appropriate tools for assessing glucocorticoid-related toxicity and morbidity, particularly in the context of chronic glucocorticoid administration. This comprehensive understanding is crucial for ensuring the proper and safe use of these drugs, particularly in terms of minimizing infectious risks. The aim of this review is to focus on available data concerning the infectious risk associated to glucocorticoid treatment in rheumatic diseases, highlighting the role of the correct drug management in clinical practice and the role of the disease itself in the occurrence of this worthy side effect. We conducted a review of randomized controlled trials and observational studies about glucocorticoid use in autoimmune/rheumatic diseases, analyzing the infectious risk during glucocorticoid therapy, and its relationship with the used dose and duration of treatment.

Hotlines are remote systems that provide a direct link with professionals and rapid answers to their questions. In 2023, the hygiene operations team at Nantes University Hospital carried out an evaluation of its system five years after its introduction, involving 727 professionals. They were satisfied with the time and quality of the service provided, as well as with the scientific input received., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Background: The SARS‐CoV‐2 pandemic brought challenges to all areas of medicine. In pediatric bone marrow transplant (BMT), one of the biggest challenges was determining how and when to transplant patients infected with SARS‐CoV‐2 while mitigating the risks of COVID‐related complications. Methods: Our joint adult and pediatric BMT program developed protocols for performing BMT during the pandemic, including guidelines for screening and isolation. For patients who tested positive for SARS‐CoV‐2, the general recommendation was to delay BMT for at least 14 days from the start of infection and until symptoms improved and the patient twice tested negative by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). However, delaying BMT in patients with malignancy increases the risk of relapse. Results: We opted to transplant two SARS‐CoV‐2 persistently PCR positive patients with leukemia at high risk of relapse. One patient passed away early post‐BMT of a transplant‐related complication. The other patient is currently in remission and doing well. Conclusion: These cases demonstrate that when the risk associated with delaying BMT is high, it may be reasonable to proceed to transplant in pediatric leukemia patients infected with SARS‐CoV‐2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiac implantable electronic device (CIED) infection represents a dramatic event with a high mortality rate (>3x) despite antibiotic therapy and device extraction; therefore, the real winning strategy in this situation could be represented by prevention. Antibiotic prophylaxis and antibiotic‐releasing envelope are effective in improving patient outcome; however, healthcare costs related to CIED infections remain high over the years. In this review we would keep the attention on a pre‐surgical checklist to reduce the risk of CIED infections. In fact, checklist is an effective instrument for medical care quality improvement mainly used in surgery, but not very commonly in cath‐lab and electrophysiology procedures. All steps of this checklist are of proven effectiveness in reducing the risk of CIED infections but, up till now, they are not considered together in a pre‐surgical approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) largely used in multiple sclerosis (MS) may result in higher infectious risk. Objective: We aimed to investigate the infectious risk in DMT-treated MS patients. Methods: MS patients were evaluated for infectious risk before starting, switching or during DMT. Results: In this three-year observational cohort study 174 MS patients were enrolled. Among them, 18 patients were anti-HBc + and 19 patients were QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT) +. No patients with anti-HBc + showed a detectable HBV-DNA and all started DMT. Among QTB + patients, 17 latent TB infections (LTBIs) and 2 active TB infections (TBIs) were identified. After one month of LTBI prophylaxis or TB treatment, respectively, all patients started DMTs. Overall, 149 started DMTs. During DMTs, one ocrelizumab-treated patient with anti-HBc + developed HBV reactivation and six patients (3 on natalizumab, 2 on ocrelizumab and 1 on IFN-β) showed reactivation of HSV-1, with detectable plasma DNA. Finally, 1 cladribine-treated patient experienced VZV reactivation. All the reactivations of latent infections have been successfully treated. Conclusion: Screening of infectious diseases in DMT candidate MS patients helps to mitigate the infectious risk. During DMTs, a regular assessment of infectious risk allows to avoid discontinuing MS therapy and guarantees a higher degree of safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Assessing newborn infants at risk for early-onset sepsis (EOS) is a common clinical task conducted by pediatricians. A change in the internal protocol for managing neonates at risk was implemented in 2016. Unlike the previous protocol, which determined laboratory testing in asymptomatic newborns in the presence of one risk factor (RF) for sepsis; the new protocol advocates the screening in the presence of at least two RF. The purpose of this study was to characterize newborns at increased risk for EOS before and after the implementation of a diagnostic/treatment protocol.Methods: Retrospective analysis of asymptomatic newborns with RF to EOS who had laboratory testing performed at perinatology department in a central hospital in north of Portugal before and after the protocol was reviewed (2016), in the years 2015 and 2017, respectively. Patients were divided in two groups: preprotocol (2015) and postprotocol (2017), according to the date of admission.Results: A total of 361 newborns were enrolled, 296 (82%) pre-protocol and 65 (18%) post-protocol. There was a significant raise in the number of preterm newborns (9.5 versus 30.8%, pre- and post-protocol, respectively; p < .001), with similar other sociodemographic characteristics. There were 36 positive laboratory screenings at 12 h of life and 8.6% were transferred to the neonatology department, without differences between the groups (p = .250 and p = .488). All presented a favorable outcome, without differences in the number of readmissions in the first month of life (p = .204).Discussion: The modification of the approach protocol has led to a significant decline in the laboratory testing performed, minimizing newborn pain, unnecessary antibiotic exposure and costs, without increased risk of readmission for sepsis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate current organization of infection prevention for immunocompromised patients (ICP) at a countrywide level., Methods: Nationwide cross-sectional multicenter study based on an online survey disseminated in 2022 to physicians invested with preventive healthcare missions., Results: A total of 341 physicians (96% graduates, 32% infectious disease specialists), participated in the survey, with a median age of 40 [35-51] years. On-site access to infection prevention consultations for ICP was reported by 30%, dedicated pre-travel consultations for ICPs by 29%, consultations for infection prevention in solid organ transplant candidates by 16% and return-to-work consultations for ICPs by 6%. Most participants (73%) were aware of nationwide vaccination guidelines for ICP, while 50% felt comfortable using them. Tools for infection prevention advice and ICP vaccination had been developed by 10%, while 89% would have appreciated access to tools developed by others., Conclusions: Infection prevention for ICPs remains neglected. Guidelines covering all fields of prevention for ICPs would be more than welcome., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

[Display omitted] • A definition of infectious risk related to the infected population is proposed. • A bi-objective routing optimization model for medical waste collection is developed. • An ε -constraint method incorporating weighting is proposed. • Several managerial insights are derived by the sensitivity analysis. The routing optimization for medical waste collection severely affects the efficiency and safety of medical waste disposal. The infectivity of medical waste exacerbates the potential impact of incidents, and the large amount of medical waste has given birth to the practical operation of multiple disposal centers. A definition of infectious risk related to the infectious process after an incident and the final infected population is proposed. With the consideration of multiple disposal centers and catastrophe avoidance, a bi-objective routing optimization model for medical waste collection is developed based on two-commodity formulation, minimizing the maximum infectious risk and transport cost simultaneously. An ε -constraint method incorporating weighting is proposed, which can obtain the entire Pareto front and incorporates an improved solution process. A fast approximation approach is proposed for solving large-scale instances efficiently. Finally, the proposed solution method is tested by numerical instance, and some managerial insights are given through sensitivity analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Rituximab has been used in autoimmune diseases other than rheumatoid arthritis. • Hypogammaglobulinemia is a well-known side effect of rituximab treatment. • Hypogammaglobulinemia has been associated with an increased risk of infection. • Prescriber may decide to initiate or continue rituximab despite hypogammaglobulinemia. • There are few data depicting infectious risk after acquired hypogammaglobulinemia. We conducted a single-centre retrospective cohort study in a French University Hospital between 2010 and 2018 to describe the risk of severe infectious event (SIE) within 2 years after the date of first rituximab infusion (T0) prescribed after the evidence of acquired hypogammaglobulinemia (gamma globulins [GG] ≤ 6 g/L) in the setting of autoimmune diseases (AID) other than rheumatoid arthritis. SIE occurred in 26 out of 121 included patients. Two years cumulative incidence rates were 12.7 % (95 % CI 5.1–23.9) in the multiple sclerosis/neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder group (n = 48), 27.6 % (95 % CI 15.7–40.9) in the ANCA-associated vasculitis group (n = 48) and 30.6 % (95 % CI 13.1–50.3) in the 'other AID' group (n = 25). Median GG level at T0 was 5.3 g/l (IQR 4.1–5.6) in the 'SIE' group and 5.6 g/l (IQR 4.7–5.8) in the 'no SIE' group (p = 0.04). In regression analysis, risk of SIE increased with Charlson comorbidity index ≥ 3 (OR 2.77; 95 % CI 1.01–7.57), lung disease (OR 3.20; 95 % CI 1.27–7.99), GG < 4 g/L (OR 3.39; 95 % CI 1.02–11.19), concomitant corticosteroid therapy (OR 4.13; 95 % CI 1.63–10.44), previous cyclophosphamide exposure (OR 2.69; 95 % CI 1.10–6.61), a lymphocyte count < 1000 cells/µL (OR 2.86; 95 % CI 1.12–7.21) and absence of pneumococcal vaccination (OR 3.50; 95 % CI 1.41–8.70). These results may help to inform clinical decision when considering a treatment by rituximab in immunosuppressed AID patients with hypogammaglobulinemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A brief overview on the management of autopsies during the SARS-CoV-19 epidemic is proposed. In particular, the point is made of the Italian laws on the subject, the characteristics required for the autopsy room and the sampling suggested for the histological examination., (Copyright © 2023 Società Italiana di Anatomia Patologica e Citopatologia Diagnostica, Divisione Italiana della International Academy of Pathology.)

Antibiotic resistance is a threat to human medicine. Preventing the risk of infection and participating in the proper use of antibiotics are part of nurses' mission to combat this phenomenon, in partnership with their colleagues who are experts in hygiene and infectiology., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Centralized water supply in rural areas, supported by small waterworks (small-central mode) and by municipal water treatment plants (urban-extension mode), is an important guarantee to implement the Rural Revitalization Strategy Plan (2018–2022) in China. Opportunistic pathogens (OPs) could not be evaluated by the national drinking water sanitation standards in China (GB 5749–2022), posing potential microbial risks in rural drinking water. In this study, the spatiotemporal distribution of OPs, microbial community and the associated functional composition under two central water supply modes were investigated by molecular approaches. The results indicated that OPs were widely presented in the rural drinking water regardless of water supply modes, and were more abundant than those in the urban tap water. The insufficient residual chlorine and higher turbidity triggered more microbial proliferation, posing a seasonal variation of OPs gene copy numbers and bacterial community compositions. In warm seasons of summer and autumn, the gene copies of E. coli , M. avium , Pseudomonas spp. and the amoeba host Acanthamoeba spp. achieved up to 4.92, 3.94, 6.75 and 3.74 log 10 (gene copies/mL), respectively. Potential functional prediction indicated higher relative abundance of pathogenic genes and infectious risks associated with the rural drinking water under small-central water supply mode. This one-year survey of the spatiotemporal distribution of OPs and microbial community provided scientific insights into microbial safety of rural drinking water, prompting attention on small-central water supply mode against OPs risks. [Display omitted] • A one-year survey of OP distribution in rural tap water was conducted by qPCR. • OP abundance and microbial community varied with water supply mode and season. • OP gene copy numbers in rural drinking water were higher than those in urban area. • Infectious risk under small-central water supply system needs more attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hospital hygiene operational team at the Haguenau Hospital Center in the Bas-Rhin region conducted prospective surveillance of the condition of PICC line dressings both at the time of application and during use for hospitalized patients in 2019 and 2021. Infectious and mechanical complications were identified in both periods. A report on the results of the first survey was proposed to the institution's professionals. Awareness campaigns on the subject of dressing repair and pulsed rinsing were carried out, and nurses were invited to attend training sessions in the form of practical work on PICC care. The second survey measured the extent, progress, and impact of training on quality of care., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

As the COVID-19 pandemic has posed grave threats to the financial and physical health of hospitality employees, this research unveils details of the dilemma experienced by hospitality employees during the pandemic, namely, their fear of becoming infected and fired. The research data were derived from a sample of 622 hospitality employees in the U.S. and analyzed using PLS-SEM as a new model of COVID-19 stressors are proposed and tested. The findings show that hospitality employees perceive the pandemic as a traumatic event that elevates their perceived job insecurity and infectious risk. It was also found that both job insecurity and infectious risk lead to increased job stress and turnover intentions, while job insecurity alone is a stronger predictor of turnover intentions. This study is among the first to examine the antecedents and consequences of the dual stressors encountered by public-facing occupations, including hospitality, during the pandemic. • This research examines the dual stressors for hospitality employees during the pandemic. • Job insecurity and infection risk are identified as dual stressors. • The pandemic-induced panic exacerbates the dual stressors. • Both dual stressors lead to increased job stress and turnover intention. • The pandemic is threatening the life and livelihood of the hospitality workforce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]