A prospective multicentre study of the epidemiology and outcomes of bloodstream infection in cirrhotic patients

ObjectivesTo describe the current epidemiology of bloodstream infection (BSI) in patients with cirrhosis; and to analyse predictors of 30-day mortality and risk factors for antibiotic resistance.MethodsCirrhotic patients developing a BSI episode were prospectively included at 19 centres in five countries from September 2014 to December 2015. The discrimination of mortality risk scores for 30-day mortality were compared by area under the receiver operator risk and Cox regression models. Risk factors for multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) were assessed with a logistic regression model.ResultsWe enrolled 312 patients. Gram-negative bacteria, Gram-positive bacteria and Candida spp. were the cause of BSI episodes in 53%, 47% and 7% of cases, respectively. The 30-day mortality rate was 25% and was best predicted by the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) and Chronic Liver Failure–SOFA (CLIF-SOFA) score. In a Cox regression model, delayed (>24 hours) antibiotic treatment (hazard ratio (HR) 7.58; 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.29–18.67; p < 0.001), inadequate empirical therapy (HR 3.14; 95% CI 1.93–5.12; p < 0.001) and CLIF-SOFA score (HR 1.35; 95% CI 1.28–1.43; p < 0.001) were independently associated with 30-day mortality. Independent risk factors for MDRO (31% of BSIs) were previous antimicrobial exposure (odds ratio (OR) 2.91; 95% CI 1.73–4.88; p < 0.001) and previous invasive procedures (OR 2.51; 95% CI 1.48–4.24; p 0.001), whereas spontaneous bacterial peritonitis as BSI source was associated with a lower odds of MDRO (OR 0.30; 95% CI 0.12–0.73; p 0.008).ConclusionsMDRO account for nearly one-third of BSI in cirrhotic patients, often resulting in delayed or inadequate empirical antimicrobial therapy and increased mortality rates. Our data suggest that improved prevention and treatment strategies for MDRO are urgently needed in the liver cirrhosis patients.     

Staphylococcus aureus colonization at ICU admission as a risk factor for developing S. aureus ICU pneumonia

ObjectiveTo quantify the incidence of intensive care unit (ICU)-acquired pneumonia caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and its association with S. aureus colonization at ICU admission.MethodsThis was a post-hoc analysis of two cohort studies in critically ill patients. The primary outcome was the incidence of microbiologically confirmed S. aureus ICU-acquired pneumonia. Incidences of S. aureus ICU pneumonia and associations with S. aureus colonization at ICU admission were determined using competing risks analyses. In all ICUs, patients were screened for respiratory tract S. aureus carriage on admission as part of infection control policies. Pooling of data was not deemed possible because of heterogeneity in baseline differences in patient population.ResultsThe two cohort studies contained data of 9156 ICU patients. The average carriage rate of S. aureus among screened patients was 12.7%. In total, 1185 (12.9%) patients developed ICU pneumonia. Incidences of S. aureus ICU pneumonia were 1.33% and 1.08% in cohorts 1 and 2, respectively. After accounting for competing events, the adjusted subdistribution hazard ratio (SHR) of S. aureus colonization at admission for developing S. aureus ICU pneumonia was 9.55 (95% CI 5.31-17.18) in cohort 1 and 14.54 (95% CI 7.24-29.21) in cohort 2.ConclusionThe overall cumulative incidence of S. aureus ICU pneumonia in these ICUs was low. Patients colonized with S. aureus at ICU admission had an up to 15 times increased risk for developing this outcome compared with non-colonized patients.     

Clinical course and outcomes of critically ill patients with COVID-19 infection: a systematic review

ObjectivesCoronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is a major cause of hospital admission and represents a challenge for patient management during intensive care unit (ICU) stay. We aimed to describe the clinical course and outcomes of COVID-19 pneumonia in critically ill patients.MethodsWe performed a systematic search of peer-reviewed publications in MEDLINE, EMBASE and the Cochrane Library up to 15th August 2020. Preprints and reports were also included if they met the inclusion criteria. Study eligibility criteria were full-text prospective, retrospective or registry-based publications describing outcomes in patients admitted to the ICU for COVID-19, using a validated test. Participants were critically ill patients admitted in the ICU with COVID-19 infection.ResultsFrom 32 articles included, a total of 69 093 patients were admitted to the ICU and were evaluated. Most patients included in the studies were male (76 165/128 168, 59%, 26 studies) and the mean patient age was 56 (95%CI 48.5–59.8) years. Studies described high ICU mortality (21 145/65 383, 32.3%, 15 studies). The median length of ICU stay was 9.0 (95%CI 6.5–11.2) days, described in five studies. More than half the patients admitted to the ICU required mechanical ventilation (31 213/53 465, 58%, 23 studies) and among them mortality was very high (27 972/47 632, 59%, six studies). The duration of mechanical ventilation was 8.4 (95%CI 1.6–13.7) days. The main interventions described were the use of non-invasive ventilation, extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, renal replacement therapy and vasopressors.ConclusionsThis systematic review, including approximately 69 000 ICU patients, demonstrates that COVID-19 infection in critically ill patients is associated with great need for life-sustaining interventions, high mortality, and prolonged length of ICU stay.     

Exposure to World Health Organization's AWaRe antibiotics and isolation of multidrug resistant bacteria: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundAntibiotic use drives antibiotic resistance.ObjectivesTo systematically review the literature and estimate associations between prior exposure to antibiotics across World Health Organization's (WHO) AWaRe categories (Access, Watch, Reserve) and isolation of critical and high-priority multidrug resistant organisms (MDROs) on the WHO priority pathogen list.Data SourcesEmbase, Ovid Medline, Scopus, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov (from inception to 20/08/2020).Study eligibility criteriaCase-control, cohort, or experimental studies that assessed the risk of infection/colonization with MDROs.ParticipantsInpatients or outpatients of any age and sex.InterventionsPrior exposure to antibiotics that could be categorized into the AWaRe framework.Data analysisTailored design-specific checklists applied to each included study. For each antibiotic/class, crude odds ratios (ORs) were pooled through random-effects meta-analyses, both overall and by MDRO. Heterogeneity was examined.ResultsWe identified 349 eligible studies. All were observational, prone to bias due to design and lack of adjustment for confounding, and not primarily designed to compare associations across AWaRe categories. We found statistically significant associations between prior exposure to almost all antibiotics/classes across AWaRe categories and colonization/infection with any MDRO. We observed higher ORs for Watch and Reserve antibiotics than with Access antibiotics. First generation cephalosporins (Access) had the least association with any MDRO colonization/infection (58 studies; OR = 1.2 [95% CI: 1.0–1.4]), whereas strongest associations were estimated for linezolid (Reserve) (22 studies; OR = 2.6 [95% CI: 2.1–3.1]), followed by carbapenems (Watch) (237 studies; OR = 2.3 [95% CI: 2.1–2.5]). There was high heterogeneity for all antibiotic/MDRO associations.ConclusionsOptimising use of Access antibiotics is likely to reduce the selection of MDROs and global antibiotic resistance. Despite data limitations, our study offers a strong rationale for further adoption of AWaRe as an important tool to improve antibiotic use globally.     

Influenza and rhinovirus viral load and disease severity in upper respiratory tract infections

BackgroundThe role of viral load in respiratory viral infection is unclear. It is proposed that the viral load of some, but not all respiratory viruses correlate with disease severity.ObjectivesWe aimed to determine if an association exists between viral loads among patients in ambulatory settings, compared to those requiring hospitalization/intensive care unit (ICU) admission with influenza A/H3N2, influenza B, or human rhinovirus (HRV); we also explored the impact of age, gender and co-detection of Streptococcus pneumoniae on patient setting. We hypothesized that hospitalized/ICU patients have higher respiratory virus viral loads compared to ambulatory (e.g. walk-in clinics, family practices)/ER patients.Study designWe quantified viral load by in-house real-time RT-PCR in 774 nasopharyngeal swabs with influenza A/H3N2, or B or HRV viruses from various patient settings in Ontario, Canada.ResultsMean viral load (log₁₀ copies/ml) of influenza A/H3N2 (6.94) was higher than influenza B (4.96) and HRV (5.58) (p < 0.0001). Influenza A/H3N2 viral loads were highest in infants and the elderly; however, increased A/H3N2 viral loads were not associated with hospitalization/ICU admission compared to swabs collected in ambulatory/ER settings. Influenza B viral loads were higher in patients in hospital/ICU settings compared to those in ambulatory settings (OR 1.28, 95% CI 1.11–1.47). HRV viral loads did not differ by age (p = 0.67) or setting (p = 0.54); there was no association between S. pneumoniae colonization and setting for any virus.ConclusionWhen compared to ambulatory/ER patients, viral load was higher in hospitalized/ICU patients with influenza B, but not influenza A or HRV.     

Healthcare personnel intestinal colonization with multidrug-resistant organisms

ObjectivesThis study aims to assess the association between patient contact and intestinal carriage of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) by sampling healthcare personnel (HCP) and staff without patient contact.MethodsFor this observational study, we recruited 400 HCP who worked in our 200-bed research hospital and 400 individuals without patient contact between November 2013 and February 2015. Participants submitted two self-collected perirectal swabs and a questionnaire. Swabs were processed for multidrug-resistant Gram-negative bacteria and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). Questionnaires explored occupational and personal risk factors for MDRO carriage.ResultsAmong 800 participants, 94.4% (755/800) submitted at least one swab, and 91.4% (731/800) also submitted questionnaires. Extended spectrum β-lactamase-producing organisms were recovered from 3.4% (26/755) of participants, and only one carbapenemase-producing organism was recovered. No VRE were detected. The potential exposure of 68.9% (250/363) of HCP who reported caring for MDRO-colonized patients did not result in a rate of MDRO carriage among HCP (4.0%; 15/379) significantly higher than that of staff without patient contact (3.2%; 12/376; p 0.55).ConclusionsThis is the largest US study of HCP intestinal MDRO carriage. The low colonization rate is probably reflective of local community background rates, suggesting that HCP intestinal colonization plays a minor role in nosocomial spread of MDROs in a non-outbreak setting.Trial Registration. clinicaltrials.gov Identifier: NCT01952158.     

Contribution of the Pittet's index,antigen assay,IgM, and total antibodies in the diagnosis of invasive candidiasis in intensive care unit

ObjectiveNosocomial invasive candidiasis is about 15% of nosocomial infections in patients in intensive care units (ICUs). Clinical signs of severe infection lack specificity, and bloodstream lack of sensitivity. Suggested tools for improving the prognosis by providing an early diagnosis include the colonization index (CI), mannan antigenemia, and anti-Candida antibodies.MethodsWe evaluated these three tools in an ICU. Patients at risk for candidiasis were screened for colonization at ICU admission, and then once a week. The CI was determined at each timepoint. Serum was collected at the same timepoints for determination of mannan antigen (ELISA Platelia^®, Bio-Rad, France), anti-Candida IgM (ELISA, Candiquant-IgM^®, Biomerica distributed by Biotrin, Lyon, France), and total anti-Candida antibodies (immunofluorescence).ResultsDuring the 2-year study period, there were 75 eligible patients. In the 46 medical patients, antigenemia had the best sensitivity and specificity (75% and 57%) but failed to separate infected from non-infected patients (Fisher exact test, 0.240). In the 29 surgical patients, the CI allow us to differentiate infected patients (Fisher exact test, P = 0.052).ConclusionSerological tests failed to differentiate infected from non-infected patients. The Pittet's CI identified infected surgical patients (Fisher exact test, 0.052), which are in the population with CI > 0.5.     

Postoperative nutrition practices in abdominal surgery patients in a tertiary referral hospital Intensive Care Unit: A prospective analysis

Background:Benefit of early enteral feeds in surgical patients admitted to Intensive Care Units (ICUs) has been emphasized by several studies. Apprehensions about anastomotic leaks in gastrointestinal surgical patients prevent initiation of early enteral nutrition (EN). The impact of these practices on outcome in Indian scenario is less studied.Aims:This study compares the impact of early EN (within 48 h after surgery) with late EN (48 h postsurgery) on outcomes in abdominal surgical ICU patients.Methods:Only patients directly admitted to ICU after abdominal surgery were included in this study. ICU stay>3 days was considered as prolonged; with average ICU length of stay (LOS) for this ICU being 3 days. The primary outcome was in-patient mortality. ICU LOS, hospital LOS, infection rates, and ventilator days were secondary outcome measures. Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II scores were calculated. SPSS and Microsoft Excel were used for analysis.Results:Of 91 ICU patients included, 58 received early EN and 33 late EN. Hospital LOS and infection rates were less in early EN group. Use of parenteral nutrition (odds ratio [OR] 5.25, 95% confidence interval (CI); P = 0.003) and number of nil-per-oral days (OR 8.25, 95% CI; P ≤ 0.001) were other predictors of prolonged LOS.Conclusions:Early EN in postabdominal surgery ICU patients was associated with reduced hospital LOS and infection rates. ICU LOS, duration of mechanical ventilation and mortality rates did not vary.     

Appropriate antibiotic therapy is a predictor of outcome in patients with Stenotrophomonas maltophilia blood stream infection in the intensive care unit

Background/purposeThe study was to assess the relationship between antibiotic therapy and the outcome in intensive care unit (ICU) patients with Stenotrophomonas maltophilia bloodstream infection (BSI).MethodsICU patients with monomicrobial S. maltophilia BSI from January 2004 to December 2019 were included and divided into two groups—those with- and without appropriate antibiotic therapy after BSI—for comparison. The primary outcome was the relationship between appropriate antibiotic therapy and 14-day mortality. The secondary outcome was the influence of different antibiotic therapies: levofloxacin- and trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole (TMP/SMX)-containing regimens, on 14-day mortality.ResultsA total of 214 ICU patients were included. Patients received appropriate antibiotic therapy (n = 133) after BSI had a lower 14-day mortality than those (n = 81) without appropriate antibiotic therapy (10.5% vs. 46.9%, p < 0.001). No difference on 14-day mortality between groups of patients by time of appropriate antibiotic therapy was observed (p > 0.05). After a propensity score matching, the results is consistent that 14-day mortality were lower in patients with appropriate antibiotic therapy than those without appropriate antibiotic therapy (11.5% vs. 39.3%, p < 0.001). Among patients with S. maltophilia BSI receiving appropriate antibiotic therapy, there was a trend levofloxacin-containing regimens is associated with lower mortality than TMP/SMX-containing regimens (HR 0.233, 95% CI 0.050–1.084, p = 0.063).ConclusionAppropriate antibiotic therapy was associated with decreased 14-day mortality in ICU patients with S. maltophilia BSI regardless of time. Levofloxacin-containing regimens may be better choice than TMP/SMX -containing regimens in treating ICU patients with S. maltophilia BSI.     

Accuracy of American Thoracic Society/Infectious Diseases Society of America criteria in predicting infection or colonization with multidrug-resistant bacteria at intensive-care unit admission

The aim of this prospective observational study was to determine the accuracy of American Thoracic Society (ATS)/Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) criteria in predicting infection or colonization related to multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria at intensive-care unit (ICU) admission. MDR bacteria were defined as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, ceftazidime-resistant or imipenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, and extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Gram-negative bacilli. Screening for MDR bacteria (using nasal and rectal swabs and tracheal aspirates from intubated patients) was performed at ICU admission. Risk factors for infection or colonization with MDR bacteria at ICU admission were determined using univariate and multivariate analyses. The accuracy of ATS/IDSA criteria in predicting infection or colonization with these bacteria at ICU admission was calculated. Eighty-three (13%) of 625 patients were infected or colonized with MDR bacteria at ICU admission. Multivariate analysis allowed identification of prior antimicrobial treatment (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.2–4.3; p 0.008), residence in a nursing home (OR 2, 95% CI 1.1–3.7; p <0.001), and prior hospitalization (OR 3.9, 95% CI 1.7–8.8; p <0.001) as independent predictors of infection or colonization with MDR bacteria at ICU admission. Although sensitivity (89%) and negative predictive values (96%) were high, low specificity (39%) and a positive predictive value (18%) were found when ATS/IDSA criteria were used in predicting infection or colonization with MDR bacteria at ICU admission. In patients with pneumonia, adherence to guidelines was associated with increased rates of appropriate initial antibiotic treatment and de-escalation. ATS/IDSA criteria had an excellent negative predictive value and a low positive predictive value concerning infection or colonization with MDR bacteria at ICU admission.     

Do Intensive Care Unit treatment modalities predict mortality in geriatric patients: An observational study from an Indian Intensive Care Unit

Background:Ageing being a global phenomenon, increasing number of elderly patients are admitted to Intensive Care Units (ICU). Hence, there is a need for continued research on outcomes of ICU treatment in the elderly.Objectives:Examine age-related difference in outcomes of geriatric ICU patients. Analyze ICU treatment modalities predicting mortality in patients >65 years of age.Results:The observed overall ICU mortality rate in the study population was 19.6%; no statistical difference was observed between the control and geriatric age group in overall mortality (P > 0.05). Mechanical ventilation (P = 0.003, odds ratio [OR] =0.573, 95% confidence interval [CI] =0.390–0.843) and use of inotropes (P = 0.018, OR = 0.661, 95% CI = 0.456–0.958) were found to be predictors of mortality in elderly population. On multivariate analysis, inotropic support was found to be an independent ICU treatment modality predicting mortality in the geriatric age group (β coefficient = 1.221, P = 0.000).Conclusion:Intensive Care Unit mortality rates increased in the geriatric population requiring mechanical ventilation and inotropes during ICU stay. Only inotropic support could be identified as independent risk factor for mortality.     

Faecal microbiota transplantation for eradicating carriage of multidrug-resistant organisms: a systematic review

BackgroundMultidrug-resistant (MDR) microorganism development in the gut is frequently the result of inappropriate antibiotic use. Faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) restores normal gut microbiota in patients with Clostridium difficile infection. We hypothesized that it may help in decolonizing MDR organisms (MDROs) and in preventing recurrent MDR infections.ObjectivesTo assess FMT efficacy (eradication rate) for decolonizing MDROs and preventing recurrent MDR infections.Data sourcesMedline, Embase and Web of Science (inception through 11 February 2019).Study eligibility criteriaClinical trials, retrospective studies, case reports and case series.ParticipantsPatients with MDR infections or MDRO colonization treated with FMT.InterventionsFMT.MethodsSystematic review.ResultsTwenty-one studies (one randomized clinical trial, seven uncontrolled clinical trials, two retrospective cohort studies, two case series, nine case reports) assessing 192 patients were included. Three studies assessed FMT efficacy in preventing MDR infections; 16 assessed its effect on MDRO colonization; two assessed both. Data from 151 patients were included in the final analyses. In studies with low to moderate risk of bias, the eradication rate was 37.5% to 87.5%. Efficacy was similar in studies looking at infection or colonization and did not differ by length of follow-up. No serious adverse events from FMT were reported. Seven patients died of other causes.ConclusionsFMT could be used as a treatment for eradicating MDR colonization and possibly preventing recurrent MDR infections, once more supporting efficacy and safety data are available. Larger well-designed randomized controlled trials are needed to further explore this therapy.     

L’âge des culots globulaires transfusés influence-t-il toujours le pronostic des patients en réanimation ?

ObjectiveFew studies have shown that aged packed red blood cells (RBC) transfusion negatively influenced the outcome of ICU patients, probably related to storage lesions which could be decreased by leukodepletion of RBC. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of aged leukodepleted-RBC pack, on the outcome of ICU patients.DesignRetrospective, observational, cohort study in a Medical Intensive Care Unit.PatientsConsecutive patients admitted during the years 2005 and 2006, and requiring a transfusion. We recorded patient's demographic data, number of RBC unit and age of each RBC, length of ICU, mortality during ICU stay.ResultsFive hundred and thirty-four patients were included with global mortality was 26.6%, length of stay in ICU six days (3–14) and SAPS II 48 (35–62). RBC equaling to 5.9 were transfused per patients (22.7% < 14 days and 57.3% < 21 days). The number of RBC was significantly higher in the dead patients group, but the rate of RBC stored less than 21 days was not different (54% versus 60%; p = 0.21). In a multivariate logistic model, independent predictors of ICU death were SAPS II (OR = 1.02 per point, p < 0.001), number of RBC (OR = 1.08 per RBC, p < 0.001), length of stay in ICU (p < 0.001). Similar results were obtained while introducing the age of RBC as time dependent covariates in a multivariate Cox's model.ConclusionsRBC transfused in our ICU are old. The ICU outcome is independently associated with the number of leucodepleted RBC transfused, but not with their age.     

Fungal colonization and/or infection in non-neutropenic critically ill patients: results of the EPCAN observational study

The purpose of this paper is to determine the incidence of fungal colonization and infection in non-neutropenic critically ill patients and to identify factors favoring infection by Candida spp. A total of 1,655 consecutive patients (>18 years of age) admitted for ≥7 days to 73 medical-surgical Spanish intensive care units (ICUs) participated in an observational prospective cohort study. Surveillance samples were obtained once a week. One or more fungi were isolated in different samples in 59.2% of patients, 94.2% of which were Candida spp. There were 864 (52.2%) patients with Candida spp. colonization and 92 (5.5%) with proven Candida infection. In the logistic regression analysis risk factors independently associated with Candida spp. infection were sepsis (odds ratio [OR] = 8.29, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.07–13.6), multifocal colonization (OR = 3.49, 95% CI 1.74–7.00), surgery (OR = 2.04, 95% CI 1.27–3.30), and the use of total parenteral nutrition (OR = 4.37, 95% CI 2.16–8.33). Patients with Candida spp. infection showed significantly higher in-hospital and intra-ICU mortality rates than those colonized or non-colonized non-infected (P < 0.001). Fungal colonization, mainly due to Candida spp., was documented in nearly 60% of non-neutropenic critically ill patients admitted to the ICU for more than 7 days. Proven candidal infection was diagnosed in 5.5% of cases. Risk factors independently associated with Candida spp. infection were sepsis, multifocal colonization, surgery, and the use of total parenteral nutrition.     

Maternal colonization and early-onset neonatal bacterial sepsis in the Gambia,West Africa: a genomic analysis of vertical transmission

ObjectivesTo define bacterial aetiology of neonatal sepsis and estimate the prevalence of neonatal infection from maternal genital tract bacterial carriage among mother-newborn pairs.MethodsWe carried out a cross-sectional study of newborns with clinical sepsis admitted to three hospitals in the Gambia neonatal wards. Neonatal blood cultures and maternal genital swabs were obtained at recruitment. We used whole-genome sequencing to explore vertical transmission for neonates with microbiologically confirmed bloodstream infection by comparing phenotypically-matched paired neonatal blood cultures and maternal genital tract bacterial isolates.ResultsWe enrolled 203 maternal-newborn pairs. Two-thirds (67%; 137/203) of neonates presented with early-onset sepsis (days 0–6 after birth) of which 26% (36/137) were because of a clinically-significant bacterial pathogen. Blood culture isolates from newborns with early-onset sepsis because of Staphylococcus aureus (n = 5), Klebsiella pneumonia (n = 2), and Enterococcus faecalis (n = 1), phenotypically matched their maternal genital tract isolates. Pairwise single-nucleotide variants comparisons showed differences of 12 to 52 single-nucleotide variants only between maternal and newborn S. aureus isolates, presumably representing vertical transmission with a transmission rate of 14% (5/36).ConclusionsWe found a low prevalence of vertical transmission of maternal genital tract colonization in maternal-newborn pairs for early-onset neonatal sepsis in the West African context. Identifying infection acquisition pathways among newborns is essential to prioritize preventive interventions, which could be targeted at the mother or infection control in the hospital environment, depending on the major pathways of transmission.     

Clinical and microbiological features of drowning-associated pneumonia: a retrospective multicentre cohort study

ObjectivePneumonia is the most frequent infectious complication in patients who have experienced drowning that requires intensive care unit (ICU) admission. We aimed to describe clinical, microbiological, and therapeutic data as well as predictors and impacts of such pneumonia on patients' outcomes.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective, multicentre study (2013–2020) of 270 consecutive patients admitted for drowning to 14 ICUs in Western France. Their baseline characteristics and outcomes were compared according to the occurrence of drowning-associated pneumonia (DAP), defined as pneumonia diagnosed within 48 hours of ICU admission. A Cox regression model was used to compare survival on day 28, and logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for DAP. Microbiological characteristics and empirical antibacterial treatment were also analysed.ResultsAmong the 270 patients admitted to the ICU for drowning, 101 (37.4%) and 33 (12.2%) experienced pneumonia and microbiologically proven DAP, respectively. The occurrence of pneumonia was associated with higher severity scores at ICU admission (median Simplified Acute Physiology Score II, 34 [interquartile range {IQR}, 25–55] vs. 45 [IQR, 28–67]; p 0.006) and longer ICU length of stay (2 days [IQR, 1–3] vs. 4 days [IQR, 2–7]; p < 0.001). The 28-day mortality rate was higher among these patients (29/101 [28.7%] vs. 26/169 [15.4%]; p 0.013). Microbiologically proven DAP remained associated with higher 28-day mortality after adjustments for cardiac arrest and water salinity (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.86 [95% CI, 1.06–3.28]; p 0.03). A microbiological analysis of respiratory samples showed a high proportion of gram-negative bacilli (23/56; 41.1%), with a high prevalence of amoxicillin-clavulanate resistance (12/33; 36.4%).ConclusionsPneumonia is a common complication in patients admitted in the ICU for drowning and is associated with increased mortality.     

Length of hospital stay and risk of intensive care admission and in-hospital death among COVID-19 patients in Norway: a register-based cohort study comparing patients fully vaccinated with an mRNA vaccine to unvaccinated patients

ObjectivesWe estimated the length of stay (LoS) in hospital and the intensive care unit (ICU) and risk of admission to ICU and in-hospital death among COVID-19 patients ≥18 years in Norway who had been fully vaccinated with an mRNA vaccine (at least two doses or one dose and previous SARS-CoV-2 infection), compared to unvaccinated patients.MethodsUsing national registry data, we analyzed SARS-CoV-2–positive patients hospitalized in Norway between 1 February and 30 November 2021, with COVID-19 as the main cause of hospitalization. We ran Cox proportional hazards models adjusting for vaccination status, age, sex, county of residence, regional health authority, date of admission, country of birth, virus variant, and underlying risk factors.ResultsWe included 716 fully vaccinated patients (crude overall median LoS: 5.2 days; admitted to ICU: 103 (14%); in-hospital death: 86 (13%)) and 2487 unvaccinated patients (crude overall median LoS: 5.0 days; admitted to ICU: 480 (19%); in-hospital death: 102 (4%)). In adjusted models, fully vaccinated patients had a shorter overall LoS in hospital (adjusted log hazard ratios (aHR) for discharge: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.24–2.08), shorter LoS without ICU (aHR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.07–1.52), and lower risk of ICU admission (aHR: 0.50, 95% CI: 0.37–0.69) compared to unvaccinated patients. We observed no difference in the LoS in ICU or in risk of in-hospital death between fully vaccinated and unvaccinated patients.DiscussionFully vaccinated patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Norway have a shorter LoS and lower risk of ICU admission than unvaccinated patients. These findings can support patient management and ongoing capacity planning in hospitals.     

Impact of Intensivist and Nursing Staff on Critically Ill Patient Mortality: A Retrospective Analysis of the Korean NHIS Cohort Data, 2011–2015

PurposeCritical care medicine continues to evolve. However, critical care cases require increasing amount of medical resources. Intensive care unit (ICU) mortality significantly impacts the overall efficiency of healthcare resources within a system of limited medical resources. This study investigated the factors related to ICU mortality using long-term nationwide cohort data in South Korea.Materials and MethodsThis retrospective cohort study used data of 14905721 patients who submitted reimbursement claims to the Korean Health Insurance Service between January 1, 2011 and December 31, 2015. A total of 1498102 patients who were admitted to all ICU types, except neonatal and long-term acute care hospitals, were enrolled.ResultsOf the total 1498102 participants, 861397 (57.5%) were male and 636705 (42.5%) were female. The mean age at admission was 63.4±18.2 years; most of the subjects were aged over 60 years. During the 5-year period, in-hospital mortality rate was 12.9%. In Cox analysis, both in-hospital and 28-day mortality rates were significantly higher in male patients and those of lower socioeconomic status. As age increased and the number of nursing staff decreased, the mortality risk increased significantly by two or three times. The mortality risk was lower in patients admitted to an ICU of a tertiary university hospital and an ICU where intensivists worked.ConclusionThe number of nursing staff and the presence of an intensivist in ICU were associated with the ICU mortality rate. Also, increasing the number of nursing staff and the presence of intensivist might reduce the mortality rate among ICU patients.