is not always realistic . One value analysis director stated that the antibiotic-coated catheter they had standardized to was discontinued ; however , the manufacturer offered another one using a different antibiotic . This could create short- and long-term effects on acquiring / treating central line-associated bloodstream infections ( CLABSIs ) and potentially imbalance an organizations antibiotic stewardship in this one goal .
A paper in JAMA 3 reported that of the 1,566 patients that met the study criteria during a six-month period in 2015 showed 55.9 percent of unsupported treatment with antibiotics for the conditions selected . In 2015 , the study ’ s baseline year , only 150 hospitals submitted data to the National Healthcare Safety Network ( NHSN ), compared to more than 2,000 in 2019 with 49 states performing better on at least two infection types . 4
A New Jersey hospital identified a new challenge related to the protocols in settings where patients are being treated for COVID-19 . 5 The article reported a cluster of 34 hospital-acquired carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii ( CRAB ) cases during a surge in COVID-19 hospitalizations . This investigation highlighted the potential that this multidrug-resistant organism ( MDRO ) incidence peaked when there was a convergence of shortages in staff , personal protective equipment ( PPE ) and equipment that prevented standard practices from being followed . The researchers reported that once conventional IP & C strategies
were reinstated , the CRAB rate returned to pre-COVID-19 incidence of fewer than two cases per month .
The link between products , equipment , and practice compliance especially during disruptive periods can have an impact on infection prevention and control as well as antibiotic stewardship efforts .
Barbara Strain , MA , SM ( ASCP ), CVAHP , is an independent healthcare value consultant whose clients range from new emerging and disruptive technology to Fortune 500 companies . Strain honed her expertise over a 40-year career as a healthcare provider across multiple specialties first in clinical laboratory operations , microbiology , disinfection and sterilization , and infection control , then as a value analysis professional . She is a founding member and past-president of the Association of Healthcare Value Analysis Professionals ( AHVAP ).
References :
1 . https :// www . cdc . gov / antibiotic-use / healthcare / pdfs / hospital-core-elements-H . pdf 2 . https :// www . cms . gov / newsroom / fact-sheets / cms-issues-proposed-ruleprohibits-discrimination-reduces-hospital-acquired-conditions-and-promotes 3 . https :// jamanetwork . com / journals / jamanetworkopen / fullarticle / 2777635 4 . https :// www . cdc . gov / hai / pdfs / progress-report / 2018-Progress-Report-
Executive-Summary-H . pdf 5 . https :// www . cdc . gov / mmwr / volumes / 69 / wr / mm6948e1 . htm
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