The government publishes 3 different public report surgical site infection (SSI) metrics, all called standardized infection ratios (SIRs), that impact perceived hospital quality. We conducted a non-random cross-sectional observational pilot study of 20 California hospitals that voluntarily submitted colon surgery and SSI data. Discordant SIR values, leading to contradictory conclusions, occurred in 35% of these hospitals.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;1–5

A questionnaire-based study was conducted among final-year Thai medical students. The problem of antimicrobial resistance is well recognized, but their knowledge of antimicrobial resistance, appropriate antimicrobial use, and infection control was substantially limited. Only half of these students recognized existence of an antimicrobial stewardship program or infection control unit in their hospitals.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;37:603–605

The costs of antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) in children’s hospitals have not been described previously. We assessed ASP costs using an online survey administered to ASP leaders at U.S. children’s hospitals. ASP costs varied from $17,000 to $388,500 annually (median, $187,400). Overall costs were not correlated with hospital size.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;37:852–854

In an observational study, we found that healthcare personnel frequently acquired Clostridium difficile on their hands when caring for patients with recently resolved C. difficile infection (CDI) (<6 weeks after treatment) who were no longer under contact precautions. Continuing contact precautions after diarrhea resolves may be useful to reduce transmission.

Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 2016;37(4):475–477

Rates of clinically confirmed hospital-onset healthcare facility-associated Clostridium difficile infections from July 1, 2012, through March 31, 2015, in 127 acute care Veterans Affairs facilities were evaluated. Quarterly pooled national standardized infection ratios decreased 15% from baseline by the final quarter of the analysis period (P=.01, linear regression).

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;37:720–722

Genetically distinct isolates of New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase (NDM)–producing Enterobacteriaceae were identified from the clinical cultures of 6 patients. Screening of shared-ward contacts identified 2 additional NDM-positive patients. Phylogenetic analysis proved that 1 contact was a direct transmission while the other was unrelated to the index, suggesting hidden routes of transmission.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;37:987–990

Implementation of an antimicrobial stewardship program bundle for urinary tract infections among 92 patients led to a higher rate of discontinuation of therapy for asymptomatic bacteriuria (52.4% vs 12.5%; P =.004), more appropriate durations of therapy (88.7% vs 63.6%; P =.001), and significantly higher overall bundle compliance (75% vs 38.2%; P < .001).

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;1499–1501

QuantiFERON tuberculosis tests (QFT) reverted in (612) 77% of 1,094 low-risk healthcare workers (HCW) testing less than 1.16 IU/mL. Of HCW testing greater than 1.1 IU/mL, 33 (59%) of 56 with negative tuberculin skin tests (TST) reverted vs 8 (6%) of 125 with positive TSTs. Retesting low-risk QFT-positive and TST-negative HCW is prudent.

Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 2016;37(4):478–482

We assessed the impact of a reflex urine culture protocol, an intervention aimed to reduce unnecessary urine culturing, in intensive care units at a tertiary care hospital. Significant decreases in urine culturing rates and reported rates of catheter-associated urinary tract infection followed implementation of the protocol.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;37:606–609

In a prevalence study of 209 healthcare workers, 18 (8.6%) and 13 (6.2%) carried methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in their nares or on their hands, respectively. However, 100 (62%) of 162 workers completing an associated survey believed themselves to be colonized, revealing a knowledge deficit about methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus epidemiology.

Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 2015;37(1):110–112

In 2013, a before-and-after intervention study was conducted to evaluate the effect 24-hour intensivist coverage on length of stay and rates of catheter-associated urinary tract infection, central-line associated blood stream infection, and ventilator-associated events. Intensivist coverage for 24 hours did not decrease length of stay or result in a decrease in any specific infection rate.

Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol. 2016;37(3):352–354

Overall IDSA/SIS intra-abdominal infection guideline compliance was not associated with improved outcomes; however, there was a longer time to active therapy (P=.024) and higher mortality (P=.077) if empiric therapy was too narrow per guidelines. These findings support the need for the implementation of customized institutional guidelines adapted from the IDSA/SIS guidelines.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;37:855–858

The Birmingham Hip Resurfacing procedure (BHR) is metal-on-metal resurfacing procedure for hip arthritis. BHR was associated with low risk of surgical site infection (SSI; 0.6%). In addition to antimicrobials, superficial SSIs were treated with incision and drainage, whereas deep incisional or organ-space SSIs required removal of prosthesis.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;1–4

We evaluated the collective impact of several infection prevention and control initiatives aimed at reducing acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in a pediatric long-term care facility. ARIs did not decrease overall, though the proportion of infections associated with outbreaks and average number of cases per outbreak decreased. Influenza rates decreased significantly.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;37:859–862

In this retrospective study, we compared automated surveillance with conventional surveillance to detect surgical site infection after primary total hip or knee arthroplasty. Automated surveillance demonstrated better efficacy than routine surveillance in SSI diagnosis, sensitivity, and predictive negative value in hip and knee arthroplasty.

Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2016;37:991–993