Examining the association between the gastrointestinal microbiota and Gulf War illness: A prospective cohort study.

Gulf War Illness (GWI) affects 25-35% of the 1991 Gulf War Veteran (GWV) population. Patients with GWI experience pain, fatigue, cognitive impairments, gastrointestinal dysfunction, skin disorders, and respiratory issues. In longitudinal studies, many patients with GWI have shown little to no improvement in symptoms since diagnosis.

Engaging veterans in identifying key elements of environmental cleaning and disinfection for preventing healthcare-associated infections: A qualitative study.

Background: Environmental cleaning and disinfection are important for preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) via contaminated surfaces. Hospital cleanliness plays a large role in patient perception and satisfaction regarding their healthcare. However, patient perceptions of environmental cleaning procedures remain unclear.

Nurse practitioners as antibiotic stewards: Examining prescribing patterns and perceptions.

Background: Advanced practice providers in the outpatient setting play a key role in antibiotic stewardship, yet little is known about how to engage these providers in stewardship activities and what factors influence their antibiotic prescribing practices.

Methods: We used mixed methods to obtain data on practices and perceptions related to antibiotic prescribing by nurse practitioners (NP) and Veteran patients. We interviewed NPs working in the outpatient setting at one Veterans Affairs facility and conducted focus groups with Veterans.

Implementing daily chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing in VA settings: The human factors engineering to prevent resistant organisms (HERO) project.

Background: Daily use of chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) has been shown to reduce risk of healthcare-associated infections. We aimed to assess moving CHG bathing into routine practice using a human factors approach. We evaluated implementation in non-intensive care unit (ICU) settings in the Veterans Health Administration.

Colorectal bundles for surgical site infection prevention: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: In colorectal surgery, the composition of the most effective bundle for prevention of surgical site infections (SSI) remains uncertain. We performed a meta-analysis to identify bundle interventions most associated with SSI reduction.

Methods: We systematically reviewed 4 databases for studies that assessed bundles with ≥3 elements recommended by clinical practice guidelines for adult colorectal surgery.

Characterising the gut microbiome in veterans with Gulf War Illness: a protocol for a longitudinal, prospective cohort study.

Introduction: Approximately 25%-35% of the 1991 Gulf War Veteran population report symptoms consistent with Gulf War Illness (GWI), a chronic, multi-symptom illness characterised by fatigue, pain, irritable bowel syndrome and problems with cognitive function. GWI is a disabling problem for Gulf War Veterans, and there remains a critical need to identify innovative, novel therapies.Gut microbiota perturbation plays a key role in the symptomatology of other chronic multi-symptom illnesses, including myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS).

Evaluating antibiotic stewardship in a tertiary care hospital in Kerala, India: a qualitative interview study.

Objectives: To determine what barriers and facilitators to antibiotic stewardship exist within a healthcare facility.

Setting: 1300-bed tertiary care private hospital located in the state of Kerala, India.

Participants: 31 semistructured interviews and 4 focus groups with hospital staff ranging from physicians, nurses, pharmacists and a clinical microbiologist.

Promoting Antimicrobial Stewardship by Incorporating it in Undergraduate Medical Education Curricula.

Background: Education related to antimicrobial stewardship-the judicious use of antimicrobials-is essential to stem the rising tide of resistance.

Methods: Using a scoping review method that includes a consultation component, we explored the extent to which antimicrobial stewardship is incorporated in undergraduate medical education.

Results: We found 4 studies evaluating stewardship content in undergraduate medical school curricula along with 2 studies assessing the effectiveness of specific stewardship training programs in medical education.