Antimicrobial-resistant central line-associated bloodstream infections in adult intensive care units: findings from an Australian surveillance network, 2011-2022.

Objective: We aimed to describe the incidence, pathogens, and antimicrobial susceptibility of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) in adult intensive care units (ICU).

Design: State surveillance data from 2011 to 2022 were analyzed to identify patient and device days and CLABSI events. Pathogen data were analyzed to determine the most common organisms and patterns of antimicrobial resistance grouped into 3-year time epochs.

Evaluation of an Infection surveillance program in residential aged care facilities in Victoria, Australia.

Background: Infection surveillance is a key element of infection prevention and control activities in the aged care sector. In 2017, a standardised infection surveillance program was established for public residential aged care services in Victoria, Australia. This program will soon be expanded to a national level for all Australian residential aged care facilities.

Developing expert scientific consensus on the environmental and societal effects of marine artificial structures prior to decommissioning.

Thousands of artificial ('human-made') structures are present in the marine environment, many at or approaching end-of-life and requiring urgent decisions regarding their decommissioning. No consensus has been reached on which decommissioning option(s) result in optimal environmental and societal outcomes, in part, owing to a paucity of evidence from real-world decommissioning case studies. To address this significant challenge, we asked a worldwide panel of scientists to provide their expert opinion.

Applying the standardized infection ratio for reporting surgical site infections in Australian healthcare facilities.

Objective: We explored the utility of the standardized infection ratio (SIR) for surgical site infection (SSI) reporting in an Australian jurisdiction.

Design: Retrospective chart review.

Setting: Statewide SSI surveillance data from 2013 to 2019.

To what extent can decommissioning options for marine artificial structures move us toward environmental targets?

Switching from fossil fuels to renewable energy is key to international energy transition efforts and the move toward net zero. For many nations, this requires decommissioning of hundreds of oil and gas infrastructure in the marine environment. Current international, regional and national legislation largely dictates that structures must be completely removed at end-of-life although, increasingly, alternative decommissioning options are being promoted and implemented.

An evaluation of influenza, pneumococcal and herpes zoster vaccination coverage in Australian aged care residents, 2018 to 2022.

Background: For older persons, vaccination mitigates the harmful impact of vaccine preventable infections. Our study objectives were to evaluate in the Victorian public sector residential aged care services (PSRACS) (1) the existence of local vaccination policies and admission assessment practices, (2) the current documented status of resident influenza, pneumococcal and herpes zoster vaccination uptake and (3) changes in documented resident vaccination uptake over time.

Methods: Standardised data were annually reported by all PSRACS between 2018 and 2022.

Hepatitis B immune status of staff in smaller acute healthcare facilities.

Objective To determine the proportion of staff employed in smaller Victorian public acute healthcare facilities with evidence of immunity to hepatitis B. Methods For optimal long-term immunity, a completed hepatitis B vaccination course and post vaccination hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) level ≥10 mIU/mL is desirable for all high-risk staff employed in healthcare facilities. For the financial years 2016/17-2019/20, a standardised surveillance module developed by the Victorian Healthcare Associated Infection Surveillance System (VICNISS) Coordinating Centre was completed by the smaller Victorian public acute healthcare facilities (individual hospitals with Results A total of 88 healthcare facilities reported hepatitis B immunity status of high-risk (Category A) staff (n  = 29 920) at least once over 5 years; 55 healthcare facilities reported more than once.

Influence of offshore oil and gas structures on seascape ecological connectivity.

Offshore platforms, subsea pipelines, wells and related fixed structures supporting the oil and gas (O&G) industry are prevalent in oceans across the globe, with many approaching the end of their operational life and requiring decommissioning. Although structures can possess high ecological diversity and productivity, information on how they interact with broader ecological processes remains unclear. Here, we review the current state of knowledge on the role of O&G infrastructure in maintaining, altering or enhancing ecological connectivity with natural marine habitats.

Antimicrobial stewardship in Australia: the role of qualitative research in programme development.

Antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) in Australia is supported by a number of factors, including enabling national policies, sectoral clinical governance frameworks and surveillance programmes, clinician-led educational initiatives and health services research. A One Health research programme undertaken by the National Centre for Antimicrobial Stewardship (NCAS) in Australia has combined antimicrobial prescribing surveillance with qualitative research focused on developing antimicrobial use-related situational analyses and scoping AMS implementation options across healthcare settings, including metropolitan hospitals, regional and rural hospitals, aged care homes, general practice clinics and companion animal and agricultural veterinary practices. Qualitative research involving clinicians across these diverse settings in Australia has contributed to improved understanding of contextual factors that influence antimicrobial prescribing, and barriers and facilitators of AMS implementation.

Measuring Healthcare-Associated Infection Outcomes: Enhanced Surveillance to Include Process Adherence for Quality Improvement.

To prevent healthcare-associated infections, there are a range of clinical practices that should be followed. For example, appropriate administration of prophylactic antibiotics [process] is essential to reduce risks of surgical site infections post-operatively [outcome]. Monitoring adherence to these processes provides insights into potential causes of infection.

Group B Streptococcus in surgical site and non-invasive bacterial infections worldwide: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: The epidemiology of disease caused by group B Streptococcus (GBS; Streptococcus agalactiae) outside pregnancy and the neonatal period is poorly characterized. The aim of this study was to quantify the role of GBS as a cause of surgical site and non-invasive infections at all ages.

Methods: A systematic review (PROSPERO CRD42017068914) and meta-analysis of GBS as a proportion (%) of bacterial isolates from surgical site infection (SSI), skin/soft tissue infection (SSTI), urinary tract infection (UTI), and respiratory tract infection (RTI) was conducted.

Prevalence of infections and antimicrobial prescribing in Australian aged care facilities: Evaluation of modifiable and nonmodifiable determinants.

Background: Infections in aged care residents are associated with poor outcomes, and inappropriate antimicrobial prescribing contributes to adverse events, such as the emergence of antimicrobial resistance. The objective of this study was to identify resident- and facility-level factors associated with infection and antimicrobial prescribing in Australian aged care residents.

Methods: Using data captured by a national point-prevalence survey (the Aged Care National Antimicrobial Prescribing Survey), risk and protective factors were determined by multivariate Poisson regression.

Antibiotic Prescribing Practices for Prevention of Surgical Site Infections in Australia: Increased Uptake of National Guidelines after Surveillance and Reporting and Impact on Infection Rates.

Background: Antimicrobial prophylaxis is the single most effective intervention to reduce risk of surgical site infections (SSIs); however, prescribing practices should be aligned with accepted and recommended surgical antibiotic prophylaxis (SAP) regimens to be effective. As part of a comprehensive surveillance network, SAP data are collated and analyzed for compliance with recommendations. Results are reported to hospitals for quality improvement purposes.

Influenza vaccination uptake among Victorian healthcare workers: evaluating the success of a statewide program.

Objective: Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all Australian healthcare workers (HCWs). In 2014, a target vaccination uptake of 75% was set for Victorian healthcare facilities. This study aimed to determine the 2014 uptake, describe trends over time and propose an enhanced reporting framework.

Impacts from Partial Removal of Decommissioned Oil and Gas Platforms on Fish Biomass and Production on the Remaining Platform Structure and Surrounding Shell Mounds.

When oil and gas platforms become obsolete they go through a decommissioning process. This may include partial removal (from the surface to 26 m depth) or complete removal of the platform structure. While complete removal would likely eliminate most of the existing fish biomass and associated secondary production, we find that the potential impacts of partial removal would likely be limited on all but one platform off the coast of California.

Central line-associated bloodstream infections in Australian intensive care units: Time-trends in infection rates, etiology, and antimicrobial resistance using a comprehensive Victorian surveillance program, 2009-2013.

Background: The epidemiology of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) in Australian intensive care units (ICUs) has not previously been reported. We sought to describe time-trends in CLABSI rates, infections by ICU peer-groups, etiology, and antimicrobial susceptibility of pathogens in a large cohort of Australian ICUs for the period January 1, 2009-December 31, 2013.

Methods: Using National Healthcare Safety Network methods, CLABSI surveillance in adult patients was performed by hospitals participating in the Victorian Healthcare Associated Infection Surveillance System (n = 29).

Diminishing surgical site infections in Australia: time trends in infection rates, pathogens and antimicrobial resistance using a comprehensive Victorian surveillance program, 2002-2013.

Objective: To evaluate time trends in surgical site infection (SSI) rates and SSI pathogens in Australia.

Design: Prospective multicenter observational cohort study.

Setting: A group of 81 Australian healthcare facilities participating in the Victorian Healthcare Associated Infection Surveillance System (VICNISS).

Oil platforms off California are among the most productive marine fish habitats globally.

Secondary (i.e., heterotrophic or animal) production is a main pathway of energy flow through an ecosystem as it makes energy available to consumers, including humans.