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Strategies for pandemic preparedness and response are urgently needed for all settings. We describe our experience using inverted classroom methodology (ICM) for COVID-19 pandemic preparedness in a small hospital with limited infection prevention staff. ICM for pandemic preparedness was feasible and contributed to an increase in COVID-19 knowledge and comfort. more...

Background Outbreaks of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have been reported in nursing homes and assisted living facilities; however, the extent of asymptomatic and presymptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in this high-risk population remains unclear. Methods We conducted an investigation of the first known outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 at a skilled nursing facility (SNF) in Illinois on 15 March 2020 and followed residents for 30 days. We tested 126/127 residents for SARS-CoV-2 via reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and performed symptom assessments. We calculated the point prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and assessed symptom onset over 30-day follow-up to determine: (1) the proportion of cases who were symptomatic, presymptomatic, and asymptomatic and (2) incidence of symptoms among those who tested negative. We used the Kaplan-Meier method to determine the 30-day probability of death for cases. Results Of 126 residents tested, 33 had confirmed SARS-CoV-2 on 15 March. Nineteen (58%) had symptoms at the time of testing, 1 (3%) developed symptoms over follow-up, and 13 (39%) remained asymptomatic. Thirty-five residents who tested negative on 15 March developed symptoms over follow-up; of these, 3 were re-tested and 2 were positive. The 30-day probability of death among cases was 29%. Conclusions SNFs are particularly vulnerable to SARS-CoV-2, and residents are at risk of severe outcomes. Attention must be paid to preventing outbreaks in these and other congregate care settings. Widespread testing and infection control are key to help prevent COVID-19 morbidity and mortality in these high-risk populations. more...

Background: The disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, has caused a pandemic leading to strained healthcare systems worldwide and an unprecedented public health crisis. Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) and hypoxia caused by COVID-19 has led to an increase in hospitalizations. We sought to define the impact of COVID-19 on antimicrobial use and antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in an urban safety-net community hospital. Methods: Retrospective review of antimicrobial use and AMR in a 151-bed urban community hospital. Antimicrobial use was calculated in days of therapy per 1,000 patient days (DOT/1,000 PD) for ceftriaxone, piperacillin-tazobactam and meropenem during 2019 and 2020. Ceftriaxone, piperacillin-tazobactam and meropenem were reviewed for calendar year 2019 and 2020. AMR was assessed by comparing the carbapenem resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) infection incidence rate per 1,000 patient days between 2019 and 2020. Results: The average quarterly DOT/1,000 PD increased from 359.5 in 2019 to 394.25 in 2020, with the highest increase in the second and fourth quarters of 2020, which temporarily correspond to the first and second waves of COVID-19. Ceftriaxone and meropenem use increased during the first and second waves of COVID-19. Piperacillin-tazobactam use increased during the first wave and declined thereafter (Figure 1). Rates of CRE increased from a quarterly average of 0.57 to 0.68 (Figure 2). Conclusions: Antimicrobial pressure increased during the first and second waves of COVID-19. Ceftriaxone was the most commonly used antimicrobial, reflecting internal guidelines and ASP interventions. CRE rates increased during COVID-19. This finding may be due to an overall increase in antimicrobial pressure in the community and in critically ill patients. Antibiotics are a precious resource, and antimicrobial stewardship remains important during the COVID-19 pandemic. Appropriate use of antimicrobials is critical to preventing AMR.Funding: NoDisclosures: None more...

Background The 2018 American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology (AHA/ACC) 2018 Guideline on the Management of Blood Cholesterol included human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as an atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk enhancer for the first time. Our study investigates if patients living with HIV in the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) were prescribed appropriate HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (statin) therapy following release of these guidelines based on risk. Methods This was a retrospective study of patients with > 1 visit in our multidisciplinary HIV IDOC Telemedicine Clinic from 1/1/19-6/1/19. Our prescriptive authority is limited to HIV and directly related conditions, and we provide recommendations to on-site providers for other comorbidities. Included patients were > 18 years of age, HIV positive, and incarcerated within IDOC. Excluded patients had existing ASCVD. Data from the first visit in the study period were extracted from the electronic medical record and analyzed utilizing descriptive statistics. Primary objectives were to quantify ASCVD risk and appropriate statin use in our population. Results Of the 158 patients included, average age was 42 years. The majority were male (89%), Black (73%), overweight/obese (117/148, 79%), on an integrase single-tablet regimen (78%), with CD4 >200 cells/µL (97%), and HIV RNA < 20 copies/mL (85%). Of the 18 females, 8 were transgender. Within the prior year, 65% had a lipid panel. For the 50 patients meeting criteria for 10-year ASCVD estimation, median (range) risk was 6.6% (0.8% - 31.9%). Only 12 patients were on statins. Of these, all were indicated per AHA/ACC guidelines with 10 prescribed appropriate intensity. An additional 45 patients had indications for statins but were untreated. In total, 47 patients (30%) were not receiving appropriate statin therapy. Conclusion Results of our study suggest ASCVD risk management is an area of improvement for inmates living with HIV, especially as we look towards caring for an aging HIV population. Future directions include comparing these data to data from a later time point to evaluate time for guideline uptake. Disclosures Thomas D. Chiampas, PharmD, BCPS, AAHIVP, Gilead (Employee) more...

Background: The disease caused by SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, has caused a pandemic leading to strained healthcare systems worldwide and an unprecedented public health crisis. The hallmark of severe COVID-19 is lower respiratory tract infection (LRTI) and hypoxia requiring hospitalization. A paucity of data on bacterial coinfection and a lack of therapeutic options for COVID-19 during the first surge of cases has increased pressure on antimicrobial use and has challenged antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs). We implemented a multimodal approach to antimicrobial stewardship in an urban safety-net community hospital targeting selection and duration of therapy. Methods: Retrospective review of cases during the first wave of COVID-19 in a 151-bed urban safety-net community hospital from March to June 2020. EMR order sets (Figure 1) and prospective audit and feedback by ASPs targeting empiric antimicrobial selection and duration were implemented as part of the COVID-19 response. Hospitalized patients with COVID-19 were reviewed retrospectively. Demographic information was collected. Data on antimicrobial use were tabulated, including selection and duration of antimicrobials (Figure 1). Results: In total, 302 patients were reviewed, of whom 221 (73%) received empiric antimicrobials. The most commonly used antimicrobials were ceftriaxone and azithromycin (Figure 2). Days of therapy per 1,000 patient days (DOT/1,000 PD) for ceftriaxone increased from 71 in the quarter prior to 113 during the study period. Average duration of therapy was 6 days. In the ICU, average duration was 8 days compared to 5 days in non-ICU settings. Average durations of parenteral therapy were 5.54 days in the ICU and 3.36 days in non-ICU settings. Procalcitonin was obtained in 37 cases (17%) and ranged from 0.09 to 12.57 ng/mL, with an average of 1.21 ng/mL. No cases had documented bacterial coinfection (Figure 1). Conclusions: Antimicrobials were commonly prescribed during the first wave of COVID-19 in a safety-net community hospital. Procalcitonin did not guide therapy nor did lack of documented coinfection change physician behavior. With limited resources, ASP successfully guided clinicians toward IDSA guideline recommendations for selection and duration, as evidenced by antimicrobial use. During this unprecedented surge of LRTIs, a multimodal approach to antimicrobial stewardship was used and guided toward early transition to oral agents and shorter durations.Funding: NoDisclosures: None more...

Background Lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) are one of the most common infectious disease-related emergency department (ED) visits in the United States. The ID Society of America and the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality support the use of procalcitonin (PCT) for antimicrobial stewardship (ASP) in LRTI. Though not widely available, awareness and access to PCT is rising. At our facility, PCT became available in February 2018. The aim of our study is to assess the impact of PCT at an urban community hospital and identify possible targets for ASP interventions. Methods Retrospective review of cases from February to August 2018. Cases from the ED were selected for review. Appropriateness of testing was assessed, defined as guideline-based use for cessation of antibiotics in uncomplicated LRTIs without critical illness or immunosuppression. Demographic variables and clinical characteristics, such as, diagnosis, antimicrobial use and PCT levels were obtained. Results PCT was ordered 268 times hospital-wide, of which 160 (60%) were in the ED. Ages ranged from 0–90, with an average of 47. Most cases were male (51%). Appropriate testing for LRTI occurred in 33 (29%) cases. Antimicrobials were used in 75% of cases with low (< 0.5) PCT levels (Figure 1). Length of stay (LOS) was higher in groups that received antimicrobials (Figure 2). Testing was not appropriate in 127 cases (71%), with upper respiratory (21%), soft-tissue (17%), genitourinary (15%) and abdominal (13%) infections as the most common reasons for testing. Other diagnosis included alcohol withdrawal, seizures and altered mental status. Cumulative cost of PCT testing was $24000, of which $19050 was not consistent with guidelines. Conclusion Clinicians routinely ordered PCT in the ED. Antimicrobials were used for LRTIs despite low PCT levels. This may have contributed to higher LOS and excess antimicrobial use. Unwarranted PCT testing had a cost of $19050. As PCT becomes widely available in hospitals across the United States, education and decision support by ASP to clinicians may be needed to enhance guideline-appropriate evidence-based use of PCT. Targeted ASP interventions in the ED may have cost savings by reducing excess testing, length of stay and improving antimicrobial use. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures. more...

Background The prevalence of multi-drug-resistant organisms (MDRO) is on the rise globally. MDRO infections carry high morbidity and mortality. There is a paucity of data on Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKp) in the Dominican Republic (DR). Evaluating CRKp in various settings will provide data on contrasting epidemiologic risk factors. We evaluated the epidemiology of CKRp in three contrasting settings, a 495-bed urban academic center (AC), a 151-bed urban community hospital (CH) and a 200 bed teaching hospital in the DR (DRH). Methods We performed a retrospective cohort study of patients with CRKp cultures from 2014 to 2016 from AC, CH and DRH. A comparative evaluation of the epidemiology of CRKp between the cohorts was performed. Demographics, co-morbid conditions, antibiotic sensitivity, and outcomes were compared between hospital cohorts. Results Cohort AC had 64 patients, compared with eight from CH and eight from DRH. AC (59%) and CH (62%) cohorts included more men than the DRH cohort (25%). Average age was 62, 66, and 51, respectively. History of MDRO, antibiotic use in the past 6 months and hospitalization within the past year were common risk factors (Figure 1). Diabetes and end-stage renal disease were common comorbidities at all facilities (Figure 2). Charleston Comorbidity Index (CCI) score was highest at AC (6.6) and DRH (6.4) compared with CH (4). Mortality was highest in DRH (63%, 6/8) and AC (11%, 7/64) while CH had no deaths. Urine was the most common source at AC (67%) and CH (75%) while blood was most common at DRH (62.5%). CRKp isolates were susceptible to colistin at varying rates (AC=85%, CH = 63%, DRH = 80%). Conclusion Prior antibiotic use and hospitalization were common risk factors in all settings. Mortality and CCI scores for CRKp was highest at AC and DRH, which are tertiary referral centers. CH had less overall mortality and higher rates of colistin resistance. Further studies are needed to understand these risk factors. Strengthening antimicrobial stewardship and infection control practices in the United States and abroad may help curb the spread of resistance in different clinical settings. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures. more...

Background Establishing antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASP) in community hospitals with limited resources can be challenging. Many hospitals do not have infectious disease (ID) trained pharmacists (PharmD) available. We implemented a comprehensive ASP with syndrome-based prospective audit and feedback at an urban community hospital. Methods ASP was implemented at a 151-bed urban community hospital in October 2017. PharmD training on syndrome-based treatment guidelines, including definitions, severity, empiric regimens, de-escalation, and duration was created. Prospective audit by PharmDs was established. This program was implemented and overseen by an ID physician. Days of therapy per 1,000 patient-days (DOT/1,000) was assessed 3 months before and after ASP. Prospective audit and feedback data were reviewed. Results At 3 months, antimicrobial use decreased (370 vs. 350 DOT/1,000) while the proportion of oral antimicrobials used increased (32% vs. 43%). Antibiotic expenditures decreased by 11% ($42,500 vs. $37,900). Most cases reviewed by prospective audit (58%) fit pre-determined syndromes (Figure 1). Soft tissue and urinary tract infections were the most common syndromes. Interventions occurred in 53% of cases. De-escalation from broad-spectrum agents was more successful in noncritical care settings (Figure 2). Figure 1. ASP syndrome-based prospective audit and feedback. Figure 2. Antimicrobial use in medical surgical units after implementation of ASP. Conclusion Syndrome-based prospective audit and feedback was successfully implemented in an urban community hospital with non-ID trained PharmDs using ID physician leadership. Our program led to a decrease in antibiotic use, increase use of oral alternatives, and decreased antibiotic expenditures. Empiric use of broad-spectrum agents was common at our facility. ASP likely contributed to an increase in ceftriaxone and decrease in piperacillin–tazobactam use in medical-surgical floors. Stewardship in critically ill patients remains a challenge. Clear guidelines and access to an ID physician are necessary to provide adequate support for PharmDs without ID-specific training and can help curb antibiotic use. Expanding the list of syndromes may further impact antimicrobial use. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures. more...