American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC)

?? New Research Alert in AJIC! ?? ?? Tracking SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the Air: Lessons from a COVID-19 Outbreak in an Infirmary Unit ?? Key Highlights: ? Evaluated the impact of mobile modular healthcare units (MMHUs) on SARS-CoV-2 air dispersal during a nosocomial outbreak. ? 44 out of 63 patients acquired COVID-19 within four days of the outbreak declaration. ? SARS-CoV-2 viral load remained detectable in the air until day 11 (Ward 2B) and day 20 (Ward 2C). ? MMHUs significantly reduced airborne SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentration, lowering levels by five times in Ward 2B. ? All detected strains were Omicron variant KP.3.1.1, genetically linked to community strains. This study highlights the importance of air monitoring and modular containment strategies in mitigating SARS-CoV-2 transmission in healthcare settings. ?? Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/epBFmkmu #InfectionPrevention #COVID19 #AirborneTransmission #Omicron #HealthcareResearch #InfectionControl APIC

?? Comparative Analysis of Hospital-Acquired and Community-Acquired Infections at a Tertiary Hospital in China (2017-2023): A 7-Year Longitudinal Study ?? Key Highlights: ? A declining trend in the point prevalence of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) was observed from 2017 to 2023. ? During COVID-19, HAI prevalence decreased, likely due to enhanced infection prevention measures. ? In contrast, community-acquired infections (CAIs) increased in 2023 compared to 2020–2022. ? Hospitalization between 2020 and 2023 was associated with a lower risk of HAIs, emphasizing the impact of pandemic-driven infection control protocols. This study provides valuable insights into infection trends pre- and post-pandemic, highlighting the shifting epidemiology of HAIs and CAIs. ?? Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eEJDup8a #InfectionPrevention #HAI #CAI #COVID19 #HealthcareResearch #InfectionControl APIC

?? Elizabethkingia meningoseptica in Dubai, United Arab Emirates: A 7-Year Multicenter Study ?? Key Highlights: ? Elizabethkingia meningoseptica is an emerging nosocomial pathogen in hospital environments. ? Over seven years, 23 cases were identified in Dubai, primarily in immunocompromised neonates and elderly patients. ? 91% of cases exhibited multidrug resistance, with susceptibility to quinolones, piperacillin-tazobactam, and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole. ? More than half of the patients required intensive care and mechanical ventilation, highlighting the severity of infections. This study underscores the clinical challenges posed by multidrug-resistant Elizabethkingia meningoseptica and the need for enhanced infection control measures in hospital settings. ?? Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eAy4-NfA #InfectionPrevention #MultidrugResistance #HospitalEpidemiology #Elizabethkingia #HealthcareResearch #InfectionControl APIC

?? Persistent Carbapenem Resistance in Mechanically Ventilated ICU Patients: A Before-and-After Analysis of the COVID-19 Surge ?? Key Highlights: ? Study analyzed 9,780 ventilated ICU patients across pre-surge, surge, and post-surge periods. ? Carbapenem resistance increased during the COVID-19 surge and remained higher post-surge than pre-surge. ? Gram-negative bacterial isolation remained high post-surge, while rates of candidemia and MRSA remained unchanged. ? Findings highlight the need for adaptive antimicrobial stewardship programs to control resistance and optimize antibiotic use. This study underscores the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on antimicrobial resistance trends and the urgent need for strengthened infection control and stewardship strategies. ?? Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eJbrZn2c #InfectionPrevention #AntimicrobialResistance #ICU #CarbapenemResistance #Stewardship #HealthcareResearch APIC

?? Antifungal Use and Mortality Risk Factors in Invasive Candidiasis and Aspergillosis: A Retrospective Cohort Study ?? Key Highlights: ? Pre-emptive antifungal therapy became more common during the COVID-19 pandemic. ? Presence of a central venous catheter was identified as a preventable risk factor for mortality in invasive fungal infections. ? Optimizing antifungal use is critical, especially in resource-limited settings. ? Hospital construction contributed to pulmonary Aspergillus infections, highlighting the need for environmental infection control measures. This study underscores the importance of infection prevention, antimicrobial stewardship, and infrastructure considerations in managing invasive fungal infections. ?? Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eRKT7r6K #InfectionPrevention #AntifungalStewardship #InvasiveFungalInfections #HealthcareResearch #InfectionControl APIC

?? Targeting Prolonged Short-Term Central Venous Catheters to Reduce Hospital-Wide Catheter Days and CLABSI Rates ?? Key Highlights: ? Data on CLABSI rates and prevention outside the ICU remain limited. ? CLABSI risk increases with prolonged central venous catheter (CVC) duration. ? Targeting prolonged short-term CVCs may be an effective prevention strategy. ? Educating staff on CVC necessity and duration can help reduce catheter utilization. ? Routine CVC replacement practices should be reconsidered. Optimizing CVC management is critical for reducing hospital-wide CLABSI rates. This study provides key insights into improving infection prevention strategies beyond the ICU. ?? Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/ejxKDmTb #InfectionPrevention #CLABSI #PatientSafety #HealthcareResearch #InfectionControl APIC

?? Estimating Individual Risk of Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections Using Explainable Artificial Intelligence on Clinical Data ?? Key Highlights: ? Developed an AI-based tool to predict catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTIs) within 6 days. ? High accuracy: 97.63% of CAUTIs detected, with 97.36% of negative cases correctly ruled out. ? Designed for all hospitalized individuals receiving urinary catheterization, enhancing early prevention strategies. Harnessing AI for infection prevention can improve patient safety and clinical decision-making. This study highlights how explainable AI can support proactive infection control measures. ?? Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eEUfrknj #InfectionPrevention #AIinHealthcare #CAUTI #PatientSafety #HealthcareResearch APIC

?? Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Emergent Congregate Settings: A Case of Refugee Settlement to “Safe Haven” ?? Key Highlights: ? Infection prevention experts identified critical gaps in infection control practices within an emergent congregate setting. ? These gaps likely contributed to the spread of communicable diseases among residents. ? An executive summary provides key recommendations to enhance infection prevention measures in similar settings. Ensuring effective infection control in emergent congregate settings is essential for safeguarding public health. This study highlights important lessons learned and strategies for improving conditions in future response efforts. ?? Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eGcV58sr #InfectionPrevention #RefugeeHealth #PublicHealth #HealthcareResearch #InfectionControl APIC

?? Infection Preventionists’ Experiences and Perceptions of Health Equity and the Development of Healthcare-Associated Infections: Focus Group Findings ?? Key Highlights: ? Explores how infection preventionists perceive health equity in relation to HAIs. ? Focus group findings from APIC members highlight barriers and opportunities for integrating health equity into IPC practices. ? Understanding these perspectives can inform strategies to reduce disparities in infection prevention and patient outcomes. Addressing health equity is essential for effective infection prevention. This study sheds light on how IPC professionals can play a role in mitigating disparities in healthcare-associated infections. ?? Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eq8jBWpe #HealthEquity #InfectionPrevention #HAI #HealthcareResearch #InfectionControl APIC Jessica Tarabay, MPH,MHR,CIC,CPHQ,FAPIC

?? Survey Said! LTC-CIP Certificant’s Perspective on Passing the Certification Exam ?? Key Highlights: ? The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the urgent need for infection prevention expertise in long-term care. ? This study explores motivators for obtaining the LTC-CIP certification and its impact on infection prevention programs. ? Certificants reported enhanced confidence, stronger leadership roles, and improved IPC programs in long-term care settings. As infection prevention in long-term care evolves, certification plays a crucial role in strengthening workforce competency and program effectiveness. ?? Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/eHpcVBWK #LTC #InfectionPrevention #LTC-CIP #HealthcareResearch #InfectionControl APIC Monika Pogorzelska-Maziarz