Healthcare-associated infections during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the modulating effect of centralized surveillance.

We analyzed efficacy of a centralized surveillance infection prevention (CSIP) program in a healthcare system on healthcare-associated infection (HAI) rates amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. HAI rates were variable in CSIP and non-CSIP facilities. Central-line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI), infection (CSI), and surgical-site infection (SSI) rates were negatively correlated with COVID-19 intensity in CSIP facilities.

Development and implementation of a centralized surveillance infection prevention program in a multi-facility health system: A quality improvement project.

Objective: To develop, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of a unique centralized surveillance infection prevention (CSIP) program.

Design: Observational quality improvement project.

Setting: An integrated academic healthcare system.

Assessment of the effectiveness of ultraviolet-C disinfection on transmission of hospital-acquired pathogens from prior room occupants.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of ultraviolet-C (UV-C) disinfection as an adjunct to standard chlorine-based disinfectant terminal room cleaning in reducing transmission of hospital-acquired multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) from a prior room occupant.

Design: A retrospective cohort study was conducted to compare rates of MDRO transmission by UV-C status from January 1, 2016, through December 31, 2018.

Setting: Acute-care, single-patient hospital rooms at 6 hospitals within an academic healthcare system in Pennsylvania.

Discontinuing MRSA and VRE contact precautions: Defining hospital characteristics and infection prevention practices predicting safe de-escalation.

Objective: To define conditions in which contact precautions can be safely discontinued for methicillin-resistant (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant (VRE).

Design: Interrupted time series.

Setting: 15 acute-care hospitals.

Use of personal protective equipment among health care personnel: Results of clinical observations and simulations.

Background: Very little is known about how health care personnel (HCP) actually use personal protective equipment (PPE).

Methods: The clinical PPE practices of 50 HCP from selected units at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC) Presbyterian Hospital were videotaped with HCP consent. For 2 PPE simulation sessions (simple and full-body sets), 82 HCP were recruited throughout the UPMC system.