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Implementation of a centralized, web-based surveillance for healthcare associated infections among residents of long-term care facilities in Italy.

Authors :
Vicentini C
Russotto A
Bazzolo S
Rolfini E
Blengini V
Gamba D
Agodi A
Barchitta M
Bellio S
Fabbri E
Forni S
Ricchizzi E
Ripabelli G
Sticchi C
D'Ancona FP
Zotti CM
Source :
Public health in practice (Oxford, England) [Public Health Pract (Oxf)] 2023 Aug 23; Vol. 6, pp. 100421. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Aug 23 (Print Publication: 2023).
Publication Year :
2023

Abstract

Objective: The Italian National Action Plan to contrast AMR identified among its objectives the development and implementation of a national Healthcare-Associated Infection (HAI) surveillance system based on European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) indications, through point prevalence surveys (PPS) of HAIs and antibiotic use in acute-care hospitals and long-term care facilities (LTCFs). We aimed to assess feasibility and appropriateness of proposed tools for a national surveillance system of HAIs and antibiotic use in LTCFs.<br />Study Design: Point prevalence survey.<br />Methods: A pilot PPS was conducted between May-June 2022, among 15 LTCFs of 7 Italian regions. Data were collected in a single day in each LTCF, at the LTCF, ward, and resident levels, using a web-based data collection tool developed ad hoc . Data collector teams of each facility were invited to complete a questionnaire investigating opinions on the proposed tools.<br />Results: Among 1025 included residents, the prevalence of residents with at least one HAI was 2.5% (95% CI 1.7%-3.7%) considering all HAIs and 2.2% (95% CI 1.3%-3%) without considering SARS-CoV-2 infections. The prevalence of antimicrobial use was 3% (95% CI 0.2%-4.3%). Overall, most respondents were satisfied with the web-based software, training and protocol, even though some difficulties were reported.<br />Conclusions: A national surveillance network was established, which will facilitate future surveillance efforts. Further studies are necessary to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on HAI transmission and antibiotic use in LTCFs.<br />Competing Interests: 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.<br /> (© 2023 The Authors.)

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
2666-5352
Volume :
6
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Public health in practice (Oxford, England)
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
37661965
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.puhip.2023.100421