Impact of a PCR point of care test for influenza A/B on an acute medical unit in a large UK teaching hospital: results of an observational, pre and post intervention study.

Background: Influenza viruses is a leading cause of acute respiratory infection, placing a significant burden on healthcare. To reduce hospital transmission, patients clinically suspected of having influenza are isolated and offered empirical antiviral treatment. Here we report the use of a point of care test (POCT) for influenza viruses in an acute medical unit (AMU) at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham for patients presenting with influenza-like illness.

The value of the infection prevention and control nurse led MRSA ward round.

Meticillin-resistant (MRSA) is prevalent in most parts of the world. The study took place at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham (QEHB) a UK tertiary referral hospital. At QEHB innovative nurse led daily ward rounds for patients that acquire hospital acquired MRSA during their hospital stay are undertaken.

Wiping out MRSA: effect of introducing a universal disinfection wipe in a large UK teaching hospital.

Background: Contamination of the inanimate environment around patients constitutes an important reservoir of MRSA. Here we describe the effect of introducing a universal disinfection wipe in all wards on the rates of MRSA acquisitions and bacteraemias across a large UK teaching hospital.

Methods: A segmented Poisson regression model was used to detect any significant changes in the monthly numbers per 100,000 bed days of MRSA acquisitions and bacteraemias from April 2013 - December 2017 across QEHB.

Outbreak of clonal complex 22 Panton-Valentine leucocidin-positive methicillin-resistant .

Aims: We describe the investigation and control of a nosocomial outbreak of Sequence Type (ST) 22 MRSA containing the Panton-Valentine leucocidin (PVL) toxin in an acute multispecialty surgical ward at University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust.

Methods: A patient was classed as acquiring methicillin-resistant (MRSA) if they had a negative admission screen and then had MRSA isolated from a subsequent screen or clinical specimen. Spa typing and pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) was undertaken to confirm MRSA acquisitions.

Can a toxin gene NAAT be used to predict toxin EIA and the severity of infection?

Background: Diagnosis of infection (CDI) is controversial because of the many laboratory methods available and their lack of ability to distinguish between carriage, mild or severe disease. Here we describe whether a low toxin B nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) cycle threshold (CT) can predict toxin EIA, CDI severity and mortality.

Methods: A three-stage algorithm was employed for CDI testing, comprising a screening test for glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH), followed by a NAAT, then a toxin enzyme immunoassay (EIA).

Waterborne Pseudomonas aeruginosa transmission in a hematology unit?

Background: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an important nosocomial pathogen that commonly colonizes hospital water supplies, including in taps and sinks. We report the transmission of P. aeruginosa from water to patients in a clinical hematology setting.

Decontamination of an Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenator Contaminated With Mycobacterium chimaera.

Water samples taken from extracorporeal membrane oxygenator (ECMO) devices used at University Hospitals Birmingham yielded high total viable counts (TVCs) containing a variety of microorganisms, including M. chimaera. Disinfection resulted in the reduction of TVCs and eradication of Mycobacterium chimaera.

Engineering waterborne Pseudomonas aeruginosa out of a critical care unit.

Objective: To describe engineering and holistic interventions on water outlets contaminated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and the observed impact on clinical P. aeruginosa patient isolates in a large Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Design: Descriptive study.

A Year in the Life of a Contaminated Heater-Cooler Unit With Mycobacterium chimaera?

OBJECTIVE Heater-cooler units (HCUs) have been shown to be a source of Mycobacterium chimaera infections. For the past year, weekly water samples have been taken from HCUs used at University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) NHS Foundation Trust. We report the microbial contamination of the HCUs over a year detailing the decontamination regimes applied at UHB to reduce the microbial load.

The Effect of Universal Decolonization With Screening in Critical Care to Reduce MRSA Across an Entire Hospital.

OBJECTIVE To describe the effect of universal methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) decolonization therapy in a large intensive care unit (ICU) on the rates of MRSA cases and acquisitions in a UK hospital. DESIGN Descriptive study. SETTING University Hospitals Birmingham (UHB) NHS Foundation Trust is a tertiary referral teaching hospital in Birmingham, United Kingdom, that provides clinical services to nearly 1 million patients every year.