Control method exploration of nosocomial bloodstream infection and its effect evaluation

Background  Currently, slightly more than 50% of bloodstream infections (BSIs) are hospital acquired. When these infections occur in patients in intensive care units, they are associated with a high mortality rate, additional hospital days and excess hospital costs. Because of multifactor of nosocomial BSIs, measurements of control nosocomial BSIs are wide variety and lead to some confusion in practice. The aim of this study was to explore special way in accordance with self-hospital base on common principle.

Methods  In one ward of the Intensive Care Unit, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, at first, we divided the all operation about bloodstream way into three sections used as keypoints. By surveying keypoints respectively, some operation faults of blood way were discovered. For decreasing the mobidity of nosocomial BSIs, some intervention measurements were executed. The rate of nosocomial BSIs was analyzed by chi-square test.

Results  According to the statistics from January to June, we received and cured 618 patients in total; among them, there were 13 cases of nosocomial BSI and the average occurrence was 2.3 cases/month. After intervention measurements from July to December 2011, we received and cured 639 patients in total with seven cases of nosocomial BSI, and the average occurrence was 1.2 cases/month (P <0.05). From January to April 2012, no nosocomial BSI occurred in the investigated ward.

Conclusion  Removing the operation faults of bloodstream way might decrease the nosocomial BSI rapidly and efficiently by utilizing a key point survey.

     

重症监护病房血流感染危险因素的Meta分析

目的 探讨重症监护病房(intensive care unit,ICU)患者发生血流感染(blood stream infection,BSI)的危险因素。方法 在英文数据库Cochrane Library、PubMed、Embase、Web of Science及中文数据库CBM、中国知网、万方、维普检索关于BSI危险因素的相关文献,检索时间为从各数据库建库至2021年4月,通过双人交叉纳入、排除、提取最终获得文献的效应量,使用Revman 5.0进行数据分析,评估了研究异质性和偏倚风险。结果 获得参考文献13 691篇,经过纳入、排除后最终获得符合要求的文献11篇,采用(Newcastle-Ottawa Scale,NOS)量表对纳入研究的方法学质量进行评分,最终结果显示危重症患者发生BSI的危险因素有以下8项:肠外营养(OR=5.07,95%CI:2.89~9.10)、呼吸衰竭(OR=3.03,95%CI:1.90~4.83)、脓毒症(OR=2.13,95%CI:1.50~3.01)、深静脉置管(OR=3.57,95%CI:2.16~5.90)、免疫抑制(OR=3.52,95%CI:1.72~7.20)、机械通气(OR=5.28,95%CI:2.05~13.62)、心脏事件(OR=3.07,95%CI:1.68~5.62)、既往暴露于抗生素(OR=2.46,95%CI:1.14~5.33)。结论 初步阐明重症监护病房患者发生BSI的危险因素包括肠外营养、呼吸衰竭、脓毒症、深静脉置管、免疫抑制、机械通气、心脏事件、既往暴露于抗生素。     

Clinical and microbiological features of community acquired and nosocomial bloodstream infections in the surgical department of a tertiary care hospital in Beijing

Background Bloodstream infections （BSls） remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing surgery. This study aimed at elucidating the clinical characteristics of community-acquired BSIs （CABs） and nosocomial BSIs （nBSIs） in patients admitted to the surgical wards of a teaching hospital in Beijing, China. Methods This cross-sectional study compared 191 episodes of BSIs in 4074 patients admitted to the surgical wards between January 2008 and December 2011. Cases of BSIs were classified as CABs or nBSIs, and the characteristics, relevant treatments, and outcomes of CABs and nBSIs were compared. Results Of the 191 BSIs, 52 （27.2%） and 139 （72.8%）were CABs and nBSIs, respectively. Escherichia coli, coagulasenegative staphylococci, and Klebsiella spp, were the most frequently isolated microorganisms. There were significant differences between CABs and nBSIs with respect to the use of hormonal drugs, ventilation, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation （APACHE） Ⅱand American Society of Anesthesiologists scores, and prevalence of cancer （P 〈0.05）. Empirical antibacterial therapy did not decrease the crude mortality, but multivariate analysis showed that high APACHE Ⅱwas independently associated with a risk of mortality （odds ratio =0.97, 95% confidence interval： 0.93-1.02 for APACHE Ⅱ）. Conclusions We found significant differences in the clinical characteristics of surgical patients with CABs and nBSIs. The outcome of patients seems to be related to hiah APACHE Ⅱ scores.     

The use of facemasks to prevent respiratory infection: a literature review in the context of the Health Belief Model

INTRODUCTION

Acute respiratory infections are prevalent and pose a constant threat to society. While the use of facemasks has proven to be an effective barrier to curb the aerosol spread of such diseases, its use in the local community is uncommon, resulting in doubts being cast on its effectiveness in preventing airborne infections during epidemics. We thus aimed to conduct a literature review to determine the factors that influence the use of facemasks as a primary preventive health measure in the community.

METHODS

A search for publications relating to facemask usage was performed on Medline, PubMed, Google, World Health Organization and Singapore government agencies’ websites, using search terms such as ‘facemask’, ‘mask’, ‘influenza’, ‘respiratory infection’, ‘personal protective equipment’, ‘disease prevention’, ‘compliance’ and ‘adherence’. Findings were framed under five components of the Health Belief Model perceived susceptibility, perceived benefits, perceived severity, perceived barriers and cues to action.

RESULTS

We found that individuals are more likely to wear facemasks due to the perceived susceptibility and perceived severity of being afflicted with life-threatening diseases. Although perceived susceptibility appeared to be the most significant factor determining compliance, perceived benefits of mask-wearing was found to have significant effects on mask-wearing compliance as well. Perceived barriers include experience or perception of personal discomfort and sense of embarrassment. Media blitz and public health promotion activities supported by government agencies provide cues to increase the public’s usage of facemasks.

CONCLUSION

Complex interventions that use multipronged approaches targeting the five components of the Health Belief Model, especially perceived susceptibility, are needed to increase the use of facemasks in the community. Further studies are required to evaluate the effectiveness of implemented interventions.     

感控督导员的质量管理对新型冠状病毒肺炎院内感染防控工作的影响

目的探讨感控督导员制度在新型冠状病毒肺炎（新冠肺炎）医院感染防控质量持续改进中的作用。方法在荆州市第一人民医院新冠肺炎重症救治中心实施感控督导员制度,并比较实施前后新冠肺炎病区医务和保洁人员的医院感染防控能力。结果实施感控督导员制度后,医务人员和保洁人员在手卫生依从性、穿脱防护用品步骤、护目镜穿戴、口罩穿戴、医疗废物处理和物表消毒合格率等方面均高于实施前,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05)。结论在新冠肺炎隔离病区实施感控督导员制度,能明显提高工作人员的医院感染防控能力,对降低一线人员感染风险,实现医务人员零感染目标,发挥了重要作用。     

Multidrug-resistant acinetobacter infection and their susceptibility patterns in a tertiary care hospital

Background:

Antibiotic-resistant Acinetobacter nosocomial infection is a leading problem. It acts as an opportunistic pathogen to cause a wide spectrum of infection including nosocomial pneumonia, meningitis, endocarditis, skin and soft tissue infections, urinary tract infection, conjunctivitis, burn wound infection and bacteremia. Multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter infection creates a great problem in hospital setting.

Materials and Methods:

The clinical specimens obtained from ICU and different surgical and medical wards were investigated using standard microbiological techniques to know the distribution of and their resistant profile. Antimicrobial resistance was studied using the modified Kirby Bauer disk diffusion technique following the CLSI protocol.

Results:

Major infections found in different medical wards, surgical wards and ICU were due to Acinetobacter baumannii (74.02%), A. lowfii (14.2%), A. haemolyticus (7.79%), A. junii (3.8%) among Acinetobacter spices. Acinetobacter showed increased resistant against majority of commercially available drugs imipenem (5.2%), meropenem (9.75%), piperacillin-tazobactum (18.2%), netilmicin (16.24%), amikacin (14.29%), ceftazidime (74.1%), gentamicin (70.13%), ofloxacin (42.21%).

Conclusion:

A. baumannii was found to be associated with UTI, RTI, septicemia, bacteremia, and meningitis and wound infection. A. baumannii displayed higher resistance to more number of antibiotics than other nosocomial pathogens from ICU.     

The potential for a controlled human infection platform in Singapore

For over 100 years, controlled human infection (CHI) studies have been performed to advance the understanding of the pathogenesis, treatment and prevention of infectious diseases. This methodology has seen a resurgence, as it offers an efficient model for selecting the most promising agents for further development from available candidates. CHI studies are utilised to bridge safety and immunogenicity testing and phase II/III efficacy studies. However, as this platform is not currently utilised in Asia, opportunities to study therapeutics and vaccines for infections that are important in Asia are missed. This review examines the regulatory differences for CHI studies between countries and summarises other regulatory differences in clinical trials as a whole. We found that the regulations that would apply to CHI studies in Singapore closely mirror those in the United Kingdom, and conclude that the regulatory and ethical guidelines in Singapore are compatible with the conduct of CHI studies.     

Education and training in family medicine: progress and a proposed national vision for 2030

This review provides an update of education and training in family medicine in Singapore and worldwide. Family medicine has progressed much since 1969 when it was recognised as the 20th medical discipline in the United States. Three salient changes in the local healthcare landscape have been noted over time, which are of defining relevance to family medicine in Singapore, namely the rise of noncommunicable chronic diseases, the care needs of an expanding elderly population, and the care of a larger projected population in 2030. The change in the vision of family medicine into the future refers to a new paradigm of one discipline in many settings, and not limited to the community. Family medicine needs to provide a patient-centred medical home, and the discipline’s education and training need to be realigned. The near-term training objectives are to address the service, training and research needs of a changing and challenging healthcare landscape.     

Detection of Strongyloides stercoralis infection among cancer patients in a major hospital in Kelantan,Malaysia

INTRODUCTION

Strongyloidiasis is one of the most commonly neglected but clinically important parasitic infections worldwide, especially among immunocompromised patients. Evidence of infection among immunocompromised patients in Malaysia is, however, lacking. In this study, microscopy, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were used to detect Strongyloides stercoralis (S. stercoralis) infection among cancer patients in a Malaysian hospital.

METHODS

A total of 192 stool and serum samples were collected from cancer patients who were receiving chemotherapy with or without steroid treatment at a hospital in northeastern Malaysia. Stool samples were examined for S. stercoralis using parasitological methods and real-time PCR. Serology by ELISA was performed to detect parasite-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgG4 and immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies. For comparison, IgG4- and IgG-ELISAs were also performed on the sera of 150 healthy individuals from the same area.

RESULTS

Of the 192 samples examined, 1 (0.5%) sample was positive for S. stercoralis by microscopy, 3 (1.6%) by real-time PCR, 8 (4.2%) by IgG-ELISA, 6 (3.1%) by IgG4-ELISA, and none was positive by IgE-ELISA. In comparison, healthy blood donors had significantly lower prevalence of parasite-specific IgG (2.67%, p < 0.05) and IgG4 (2.67%, p < 0.05) responses.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that laboratory testing may be considered as a diagnostic investigation for S. stercoralis among immunocompromised cancer patients.     

Clinical profile and visual outcome of traumatic paediatric cataract in suburban Malaysia: a ten-year experience

INTRODUCTION

Available data on traumatic cataract in Asian children is primarily confined to South Asian countries. We aimed to describe the demographics, nature of injury and visual outcomes of Malaysian children with traumatic cataract from a suburban area, and discuss the literature on Asian children with this condition.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective study of 29 children below 17 years of age who were diagnosed with traumatic paediatric cataract and who attended Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia, between January 2000 and December 2010. Follow-up periods ranged from 12 to 120 months. Demographic data, clinical features, mechanism and extent of injury, and final visual outcome were recorded.

RESULTS

The study population was predominantly male. The right eye was injured in 62.07% of patients. A majority of patients had penetrating injuries, with the most common cause being injury by an organic foreign body (24.14%). Presenting visual acuity worse than 6/60 was observed in 68.97% of patients. Only 34.48% of patients had a final corrected visual acuity of 6/12 and better. 55.18% of patients were operated on within less than one month of their injuries. A majority of children sustained concurrent injuries to the anterior segment structures. Corneal opacity and amblyopia were the most common causes of poor final visual acuity.

CONCLUSION

Health education and awareness are essential tools that can prevent avoidable blindness due to traumatic cataract in the paediatric population. The importance of rehabilitation programmes for these patients should be emphasised.     

PAIR UP for primary care excellence: perspectives from a primary healthcare provider in Singapore

Singapore is facing an increasing noncommunicable disease burden due to its ageing population. Singapore’s primary healthcare services, provided by both polyclinic physicians and private general practitioners, are available to the public at differential fees for service. The resultant disproportionate patient loads lead to dissatisfaction for both healthcare providers and consumers. This article describes the ‘PAIR UP’ approach as a potential endeavour to facilitate primary care physicians (PCPs) in public and private sectors to collaborate to deliver enhanced primary care in Singapore. PAIR UP is an acronym referring to Policy, Academic development, Integration of healthcare information system, Research in primary care, Utility and safety evaluation, and Practice transformation. The current healthcare landscape is favourable to test out this multipronged approach. PCPs in both sectors can ride on it and work together synergistically to provide quality primary care in Singapore.     

Burden of blood transmitted infections in substance users admitted for inpatient treatment in Singapore and the associated factors

INTRODUCTION

There is a paucity of local data on the prevalence of blood transmitted infections (BTIs), such as hepatitis B, hepatitis C and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections, among illicit drug users. This study aimed to examine the prevalence of BTIs among substance-dependent inpatients and identify the factors associated with BTIs.

METHODS

We conducted a retrospective case note analysis of 170 inpatients who had a history of substance dependence and were seen at the National Addictions Management Service, Singapore, between 1 June 2009 and 31 May 2010.

RESULTS

The majority of the 170 inpatients were male (88.2%) and Chinese (58.2%). The mean age of the patients was 43.1 years, and the main drug of abuse was opioids (86.5%). BTIs were found in 70 (41.2%) inpatients; the prevalence of hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV infections was 3.7%, 39.6% and 0%, respectively. Lifetime intravenous drug use, but not needle-sharing, was more common among inpatients who were positive for BTIs (p < 0.01). Logistic regression analysis showed that lifetime intravenous drug use (OR 4.3, 95% CI 1.7–10.8, p < 0.01) was the only significant predictor of BTI.

CONCLUSION

41.2% of the substance users seeking help were positive for at least one BTI. Lifetime intravenous drug users were found to be more than four times more likely to have a BTI. Early detection and prevention is essential to improve prognosis.     

Risk factors of surgical site infections in hip hemiarthroplasty: a single-institution experience over nine years

INTRODUCTION

This study aims to describe the factors associated with surgical site infection (SSI) in elderly patients who underwent hip hemiarthroplasty following a hip fracture, in a single institution over a nine-year period.

METHODS

All patients who underwent hip hemiarthroplasty between 1 January 2004 and 31 December 2012 in our hospital were included in the present study. The detection of SSI was carried out by a trained, independent infection control nurse using the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria. Demographic and clinical data were collected retrospectively. Demographics and clinical factors were analysed for potential associations with SSI.

RESULTS

Among the 1,320 patients who met the study inclusion criteria, a total 57 SSIs were documented, giving an infection rate of 4.3%. Patients who waited for more than one week for surgery had a statistically significantly higher risk of SSI (odds ratio 3.030, 95% confidence interval 1.075–8.545, p = 0.036). The presence of SSI was also significantly associated with increased length of hospital stay (p < 0.001). The two main microorganisms detected were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which accounted for 50.9% and 26.3% of the SSIs, respectively.

CONCLUSION

We concluded that the number of days from admission to surgery is a main risk factor for the development of SSI. Steps should, therefore, be taken to prevent unnecessary delay of surgery in elderly patients requiring hip hemiarthroplasty.     

Perioperative glycaemic control in diabetic patients undergoing cataract surgery under local anaesthesia: a survey of practices of Singapore ophthalmologists and anaesthesiologists

INTRODUCTION

Perioperative glycaemic control is an important aspect of clinical management in diabetic patients undergoing cataract surgery under local anaesthesia. While poor long-term glycaemic control has significant implications for surgery, perioperative hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia may also compromise patient safety and surgical outcomes. We aimed to survey ophthalmologists and anaesthesiologists on their approach and to identify the prevalent practice patterns in Singapore.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey conducted in four public hospitals in Singapore with established ophthalmology and anaesthesia units. Respondents were approached individually, and the self-administered questionnaires comprised questions related to practice patterns, clinical scenarios and awareness of pre-existing guidelines.

RESULTS

A total of 129 doctors responded to the questionnaire survey. 76 (58.9%) were from ophthalmology departments and 53 (41.1%) were from anaesthesia departments. The majority chose to withhold oral hypoglycaemic agents (82.9%) and/or insulin (69.8%), and keep the patient fasted preoperatively. A blood glucose level ≥ 17 mmol/L prompted 86.0%–93.8% of respondents to adopt a treat-and-defer strategy, while a level ≥ 23 mmol/L prompted 86.0%–96.9% of respondents to cancel the cataract surgery. The respondents were consistently more concerned about perioperative hyperglycaemia (n = 99, 76.7%) than intraoperative hypoglycaemia (n = 83, 64.3%).

CONCLUSION

The current study presented the prevalent practice patterns of ophthalmologists and anaesthesiologists in the perioperative management of diabetic patients undergoing cataract surgery in four public hospitals in Singapore. Further research in this field is required, and may be useful for the future formulation of formal guidelines and protocols.     

Polymorphism of ZBTB17 gene is associated with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy: a case control study in a Han Chinese population

Background

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) has been extensively investigated for many years, but its pathogenesis remains uncertain. The ACTC1 gene was the first sarcomeric gene whose mutation was shown to cause DCM; recent studies have indicated that the HSPB7 and ZBTB17 genes are also associated with DCM. To assess the potential role of these three genes in DCM, we examined 11 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the ZBTB17, HSPB7 and ACTC1 genes: namely, rs10927875 in ZBTB17; rs1739843, rs7523558, and rs6660685 in HSPB7; rs533021, rs589759, rs1370154, rs2070664, rs3759834, rs525720 and rs670957 in ACTC1.

Methods

A total of 97 DCM patients and 189 controls were included in the study. All SNPs were genotyped by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS).

Results

The genotype of SNP rs10927875 in ZBTB17 (OR=5.19, 95% CI =1.00 to 27.03, P=0.05) was associated with DCM in a Han Chinese population. There was no difference in genotype or allele frequencies in ACTC1 or HSPB7 between DCM patients and control subjects.

Conclusion

The ZBTB17 polymorphism rs10927875 appears to play a role in the susceptibility of the Han Chinese population to DCM.     

某综合医院医院感染现况调查与分析

目的：调查并分析医院感染的发生情况,指导医院感染预防与控制工作。方法：对2011年11月10日所有住院患者采用床旁调查表和病历查阅相结合的方法进行现况调查分析。结果：2006例患者中,医院感染48例,医院感染现患率2．39％,例次感染率2．54％,感染率最高科室是ICU;感染部位主要是下呼吸道;培养出病原菌14株;抗菌药物使用率是40．13％,使用率最高的科室是ICU和儿科。结论：对感染率较高科室进行重点监测及干预,预防和控制医院感染的暴发。