Cost-minimization analysis of oral versus intravenous antibiotic treatment for Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess.

A cost-minimization analysis was conducted for Klebsiella pneumoniae liver abscess (KLA) patients enrolled in a randomized controlled trial which found oral ciprofloxacin to be non-inferior to intravenous (IV) ceftriaxone in terms of clinical outcomes. Healthcare service utilization and cost data were obtained from medical records and estimated from self-reported patient surveys in a non-inferiority trial of oral ciprofloxacin versus IV ceftriaxone administered to 152 hospitalized adults with KLA in Singapore between November 2013 and October 2017. Total costs were evaluated by category and payer, and compared between oral and IV antibiotic groups over the trial period of 12 weeks.

Cost effectiveness of temporary isolation rooms in acute care settings in Singapore.

Objectives: To estimate the change to health service costs and health benefits from a decision to adopt temporary isolation rooms that are effective at isolating the patient within a general ward environment. We assess the cost-effectiveness of a decision to adopt an existing temporary isolation room in a Singapore setting.

Method: We performed a model-based cost-effectiveness analysis to evaluate the impact of a decision to adopt temporary isolation rooms for infection prevention.

A Tool to Guide Creation of Products for Risk Communications and Community Engagement (RCCE).

Using best practices to produce creative, relatable, contextualized health messaging contributes to effective risk communication. During emergency disasters, the landscape of mis- and dis-information demands strategic, collaborative approaches across all stakeholders particularly government and the media to ensure effective public messaging. However, tools for new RCCE practitioners and media agencies such as television producers and advertising firms to rapidly create effective RCCE products are currently not readily available.

Risk Communication and Community Engagement During the Migrant Worker COVID-19 Outbreak in Singapore.

In early phases of the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore, Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) with large, diverse communities of migrant workers living in high-density accommodation was slow to develop. By August 2020, Singapore had reported 55,661 cases of COVID-19, with migrant workers comprising 94.6% of the cases.

Myopericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination and non-COVID-19 vaccination: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Myopericarditis is a rare complication of vaccination. However, there have been increasing reports of myopericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination, especially among adolescents and young adults. We aimed to characterise the incidence of myopericarditis following COVID-19 vaccination, and compare this with non-COVID-19 vaccination.

Discrepant serological findings in SARS-CoV-2 PCR-negative hospitalized patients with fever and acute respiratory symptoms during the pandemic.

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) serology has an evolving role in the diagnosis of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. However, its use in hospitalized patients with acute respiratory symptoms remains unclear. Hospitalized patients with acute respiratory illness admitted to an isolation ward were recruited.

Epidemiological, Clinical, and Phylogenetic Characteristics of the First SARS-CoV-2 Transmission in a Nursing Home of Singapore: A Prospective Observational Investigation.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission has resulted in a significant burden among nursing home facilities globally. This prospective observational cohort study aims to define the potential sources of introduction and characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 transmission of the first nursing home facility in Singapore. An epidemiological serial point-prevalence survey of SARS-CoV-2 was conducted among 108 residents and 56 healthcare staff (HCS).

Acute medical units during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-national exploratory study of impact and responses.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic represents one of the greatest ever challenges for healthcare. In the UK and beyond, acute medical units (AMUs) are the first point of assessment and care for the majority of medical inpatients. By their design and systems, they inevitably played an important role in the COVID-19 response but to date little has been published on how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected how AMUs have reorganised their resources, processes and structure.

Ward-level factors associated with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus acquisition-an electronic medical records study in Singapore.

Background: Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is endemic in hospitals worldwide. Intrahospital transfers may impact MRSA acquisition risk experienced by patients. In this study, we investigated ward characteristics and connectivity that are associated with MRSA acquisition.

MDRO transmission in acute hospitals during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Purpose Of Review: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in necessary modifications of infection control policies and practices in acute healthcare facilities globally. This is often accompanied by infrastructure modifications, ward redesignations, as well as healthcare staff redeployments and changes to infection prevention and control (IPC) practices. We review the potential for both negative and positive impacts these major changes can have on nosocomial transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs).

Training for outbreak response through the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network.

For 20 years, the Global Outbreak Response and Alert Network (GOARN) has been a leader in the coordination of international outbreak response. On the premise that no single institution can provide all capacities required to successfully respond to a complex public health emergency or fulfil all outbreak response training needs, GOARN embarked on a capacity building journey that draws on the unique strengths of more than 250 partner institutions. Through extensive engagement and collaboration, GOARN Partners have created a bespoke, multifaceted, 3-tiered training programme which has evolved over the last 15 years and enhanced the competencies of thousands of multidisciplinary outbreak responders around the world.

International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) report, data summary of 45 countries for 2013-2018, Adult and Pediatric Units, Device-associated Module.

Background: We report the results of INICC surveillance study from 2013 to 2018, in 664 intensive care units (ICUs) in 133 cities, of 45 countries, from Latin-America, Europe, Africa, Eastern-Mediterranean, Southeast-Asia, and Western-Pacific.

Methods: Prospective data from patients hospitalized in ICUs were collected through INICC Surveillance Online System. CDC-NHSN definitions for device-associated healthcare-associated infection (DA-HAI) were applied.