Clinical Infectious Diseases: Open Access

Hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) are a significant problem for healthcare systems worldwide, causing significant morbidity, mortality, and financial costs. Outbreak investigations are an essential tool for identifying and controlling HAIs, but they can be complex and challenging to conduct. In this article, we report on the findings of an outbreak investigation of a multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii infection in a long-term care facility and highlight the lessons learned from the investigation.

This retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the impact of a comprehensive infection control program on the rates of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) in a large academic medical center. The program included a range of interventions, such as hand hygiene promotion, environmental cleaning, and disinfection, screening and isolation of patients, and antibiotic stewardship.

The implementation of the infection control program was associated with a significant reduction in the overall incidence of HAIs, from 5.8% before the program to 3.9% after the program (p<0.001). The incidence of specific types of HAIs, including central line-associated bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, and ventilator-associated pneumonia, also decreased significantly after the program was implemented.

Influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a viral infection that affects the respiratory system. The virus can cause mild to severe illness and can lead to hospitalization or even death, especially in vulnerable populations such as elderly patients. Vaccination is one of the most effective ways to prevent the spread of the flu, but the efficacy of existing vaccines in elderly patients can be limited due to age-related changes in the immune system. Therefore, there is a need for a new influenza vaccine that is specifically designed for elderly patients.

Severe infections, such as sepsis, require prompt and aggressive treatment with antibiotics to prevent morbidity and mortality. While intravenous (IV) antibiotics have been the standard of care for treating severe infections, oral antibiotics have the potential to provide a more convenient and cost-effective alternative. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of oral versus IV antibiotics for the treatment of severe infections.

This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with severe infections admitted to a tertiary care hospital over a 2-year period. The study included adult patients with a diagnosis of sepsis, pneumonia, or urinary tract infections requiring hospitalization. Patients were divided into two groups based on the route of antibiotic administration: oral or IV.

Hand hygiene is one of the most important practices for preventing the spread of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs) and ensuring patient safety. Despite this, compliance with hand hygiene guidelines among healthcare workers (HCWs) is often suboptimal. As a result, interventions to improve hand hygiene compliance are important in reducing HAIs and improving patient outcomes.

The impact of a hand hygiene intervention on healthcare worker compliance and reduction of hospital-acquired infection rates would likely involve the implementation of a hand hygiene program or intervention within a healthcare facility or specific department. The study would then assess the impact of this intervention on the compliance of healthcare workers with hand hygiene practices, as well as any resulting changes in the rate of hospital-acquired infections.