Clinical and microbiological profile of urinary tract infection at a tertiary-care center in Lebanon.

We compared community-acquired urinary tract infection (UTI) with hospital-acquired UTI at the American University of Beirut Medical Center. Escherichia coli was the most frequently isolated organism. Hospital-acquired E. coli isolates were often multidrug resistant. These results can be used to improve empiric treatment of UTI.     

Prevalence of hospital infection and antibiotic use at a university medical center in Hong Kong

Hospital infection prevalence surveys were performed in our 1400-bed University medical centre in Hong Kong from 1985 to 1988. We investigated the rates of four major hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) (pneumonia, symptomatic urinary tract infection, surgical site infection and laboratory-confirmed bloodstream infection) in order to identify current distribution and any changes after 15 years. A one-day point prevalence study was performed on 7 September 2005. All inpatients were surveyed for HAIs, community-acquired infections (CAIs), risk factors, pathogenic isolates and antibiotics prescribed. Infections were diagnosed according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria. In total, 1021 patients were surveyed; of these, 41 had 42 HAIs (4% prevalence) and 389 (38%) were receiving antibiotics. The commonest HAI was pneumonia (1.4%) followed by bloodstream infection (0.9%) and symptomatic urinary tract infection (0.8%). The prevalence of postoperative surgical site infection was 5.6%. The nosocomial prevalence rate was highest in the Intensive Care Unit, followed by the Pediatric and Neonatal Intensive Care Units, Children's Cancer Centre/Bone Marrow Transplant Unit and Orthopaedics with Traumatology. Meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were the commonest pathogens. The rates are significantly lower than previously and reflect the increased resources for infection control made available following the outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).     

Prevalence of nosocomial infection and antibiotic use at a university medical center in Malaysia.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Most reports of nosocomial infection (NI) prevalence have come from developed countries with established infection control programs. In developing countries, infection control is often not as well established due to lack of staff and resources. We examined the rate of NI in our institution. METHODS: A point-prevalence study of NI and antibiotic prescribing was conducted. On July 16 and 17, 2001, all inpatients were surveyed for NI, risk factors, pathogens isolated, and antibiotics prescribed and their indication. NIs were diagnosed according to CDC criteria. Cost of antibiotic acquisition was calculated by treatment indication. SETTING: Tertiary-care referral center in Malaysia. PATIENTS: All inpatients during the time of the study. RESULTS: Five hundred thirty-eight patients were surveyed. Seventy-five had 103 NIs for a prevalence of 13.9%. The most common NIs were urinary tract infections (12.2%), pneumonia (21.4%), laboratory-confirmed bloodstream infections (12.2%), deep surgical wound infections (11.2%), and clinical sepsis (22.4%). Pseudomonas aeruginosa, MRSA, and MSSA were the most common pathogens. Two hundred thirty-seven patients were taking 347 courses of antibiotics, for an overall prevalence of antibiotic use of 44%. NI treatment accounted for 36% of antibiotic courses prescribed but 47% of antibiotic cost. Cost of antibiotic acquisition for NI treatment was estimated to be approximately 2 million per year (Malaysian dollars). CONCLUSION: Whereas the rate of NI is relatively high at our center compared with rates from previous reports, antibiotic use is among the highest reported in any study of this kind. Further research into this high rate of antibiotic use is urgently required.     

评估不同麻醉时点的微生物感染风险情况

摘要:目的　了解麻醉不同时点（期间）手术环境致病微生物的检出情况,从而评估不同麻醉时点的微生物感染风险,为今后控制因麻醉过程导致的患者医院感染提供参考依据。方法　对全院手术室每日第一例全麻手术的相关器材进行采样,规定预计手术时间≥2 h以上者可以进行采样,采样对象有静脉三通旋转阀、氧气流量调节钮、减压阀门、螺纹管接口、麻醉机呼出气入口、麻醉机呼吸回路氧气入口,共采集了84例手术的504个采样点（84例手术,每例手术均采集上述6个采样点,共504个采样点）,并在麻醉操作前（时点0）、麻醉操作后5 min（时点1 麻醉操作后5 min）、麻醉操作后2 h（时点2 麻醉操作后2 h）进行采样和细菌培养检测。结果　静脉三通旋转阀在时点0的标本未培养出细菌,合格率为100.0%,但时点1检出阳性61例,合格率为27.4%,时点2检出阳性84例,合格率为0.0%;氧气流量调节钮、减压阀门、螺纹管接口、麻醉机呼出气入口以及麻醉机呼吸回路氧气入口的细菌数均在允许范围内,各时点的合格率均为100.0%。静脉三通旋转阀及螺纹管接口时点0时无细菌检出,其余检测点在各时点均有细菌检出。在检出的细菌中,3个时点均以凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌所占比例最高,其次为棒状杆菌,鲍曼不动杆菌。棒状杆菌在静脉三通旋转阀、螺纹管接口及麻醉机呼出气入口时点1时未检出,但在麻醉操作后5 min及麻醉操作后2 h各采样点均被检出。鲍曼不动杆菌在静脉三通旋转阀时点1及时点2及减压阀门各时点均被检出。结论　在手术患者麻醉过程中,静脉三通旋转阀污染比例较高,致病菌主要为凝固酶阴性葡萄球菌、棒状杆菌及鲍曼不动杆菌。在麻醉过程中应严格执行无菌操作规范,控制因麻醉过程引起的医院感染。     

Risk of infection from heavily contaminated air.

In a factory processing shea nuts the dust concentrations were found to be up to 145 mg/m3 [80% respirable (1--5 micrometer)]. Bacterial examination of the dust revealed that under the worst conditions observed a worker might inhale 350,000 bacteria per 8 h. Of these, 3,000 were Ps. aeruginosa and 1,500 Salmonella spp. of nine different types. The possible health effects of these findings are discussed.     

Behavioral risk factors for HIV infection among homosexual men at a Boston community health center.

Social and behavioral factors associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection were analyzed using cross-sectional data from homosexual and bisexual male clients of a Boston community health center. Partners from California, and a previous period of greater sexual activity (a "high period"), were independently associated with positive HIV antibody status, as were the frequency of receptive anogenital contact, both during the "high period" and during the last six months.     

View from a cancer center

As part of Healthplan's genomics series, we have sought opinion and perspective from various sectors of health care. Articles in past issues have reflected both the enthusiasm and optimism of the genomics industry as well as the caution and concerns of health plan medical directors confronted with the question of who will pay for the new genetic services and treatments and--more importantly--how they will truly benefit patients. In this issue, we publish the perspective and goals of doctors and researchers at a renowned cancer center. As our series unfolds, it is becoming increasingly clear that a national dialogue is needed on the important questions raised by the authors in our genomic series. Readers are encouraged to send their views on this topic to Healthplan.     

Promoting breastfeeding at a migrant health center

A program to promote breastfeeding was introduced at a migrant health center in North Carolina. Strategies for promoting breastfeeding as a feeding method particularly suited to the migrant lifestyle were identified and implemented. Donated layettes were used to encourage attendance of prenatal patients at a class on breastfeeding. Women planning to breastfeed were given cards to alert the delivering hospital of their intention. These hospitals were provided with bilingual flipcharts to use in communicating with non-English speaking patients. Of the 158 women who came to the center for one or more prenatal visits, 101 attended a class or received individual counseling on breastfeeding; during this 13-month period, 52 per cent of 64 women who attended the class were breastfeeding at time of their hospital discharge (Mexican-Americans 60%, Black Americans 44%). In a comparison of similar ethnic distribution, the corresponding rate was 10%.     

Underdiagnosis of obesity at a community health center

BACKGROUND: Obesity is at epidemic proportions. This study examined the extent to which obesity is being diagnosed at a community health center residency-training site. Results were examined by provider type. Characteristics of patients with obesity diagnosed by primary care providers were compared with characteristics of patients determined to be obese by body mass index (BMI) calculation exclusively. METHODS: A cross-sectional design was used. Medical records of 465 adult patients were audited. Data collected included diagnosis of obesity, height and weight, demographics, and comorbidity. RESULTS: Of the 465 patients' charts audited, 83 contained a provider diagnosis of obesity, and 74 additional patients were determined to be obese by BMI calculation exclusively. Significant underdiagnosis occurred among all provider types (P = .036). Patients with a diagnosis of obesity had significantly higher BMI scores (38.4 vs 34.4, P = .002). Obesity was more likely to be diagnosed in female than in male patients (P = .001). Differences related to age, insurance coverage, and comorbidity were not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Obesity was found to be an underdiagnosed condition among all provider types. As evidenced by significantly higher BMI scores for provider-diagnosed obesity, the data suggest that the obesity diagnosis is made by appearance. The importance of teaching and modeling the use of BMI to diagnose obesity is underscored.     

长沙地区某医院血液透析患者HCV感染危险因素研究

目的了解长沙地区某医院血液透析患者丙型肝炎病毒（HCV）感染现患率以及影响HCV感染发生的危险因素。方法收集2010年1-7月在该院长期进行血液透析治疗的74例患者的一般情况和临床资料,用单因素和多因素Logistic回归分析了解其感染HCV的危险因素。结果74例患者中,HCV抗体阳性23例,HCV感染率31.08%。单因素分析筛选出的危险因素包括血液透析持续时间、输血史、接受透析治疗医院数、每周血液透析次数;多因素分析表明,血液透析持续时间和接受透析治疗医院数是影响HCV感染发生的主要危险因素。结论血液透析持续时间和接受透析治疗医院数是血液透析患者发生HCV感染的直接危险因素。     

Lessons learned from a peri-urban needle exchange

Background  

Injection drug users continue to be at high risk of HIV and HCV. Research has shown that needle exchange programs (NEP) decrease injection frequency, reduce syringe reuse, and reduce needle sharing, though some results have been mixed.