Outbreak of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in hospitalized hemodialysis patients: An epidemiologic and genomic investigation.

We performed an epidemiological investigation and genome sequencing of severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) to define the source and scope of an outbreak in a cluster of hospitalized patients. Lack of appropriate respiratory hygiene led to SARS-CoV-2 transmission to patients and healthcare workers during a single hemodialysis session, highlighting the importance of infection prevention precautions.

Implementation of standardized color-coded isolation signs at a teaching hospital and their effect on compliance with isolation precautions.

Issue: In an effort to increase knowledge regarding infection prevention and compliance with isolation precautions among our staff in a 722 bed tertiary referral teaching hospital, we created a standardized color-coded isolation signs.

Project: Different versions of isolation precaution signs existed at our institution. Concerns in regards to these signs included being in a neutral color and easily overlooked, providing insufficient information regarding isolated pathogen, ignoring appropriate isolation garb, and technique required for performing hand hygiene.

Cost-benefit and effectiveness analysis of rapid testing for MRSA carriage in a hospital setting.

A cost-effectiveness analysis was conducted comparing the polymerase chain reaction assay and traditional microbiological culture as screening tools for the identification of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in patients admitted to the pediatric and surgical intensive care units (PICU and SICU) at a 722 bed academic medical center. In addition, the cost benefits of identification of colonized MRSA patients were determined. The cost-effectiveness analysis employed actual hospital and laboratory costs, not patient costs.

Increasing hand hygiene compliance by use of a novel hand held device at a university hospital - biomed 2013.

Issue: Hand hygiene (HH) is the single most effective modality to prevent the spread of infection in healthcare. HH is also one of the most difficult quality measures to monitor. In a 722 bed tertiary referral teaching hospital, collection of accurate and timely HH compliance data on 25 inpatient units was problematic.