Risk of Aerosol Formation During High-Flow Nasal Cannula Treatment in Critically Ill Subjects.

Background: There is a persistent concern over the risk of respiratory pathogen transmission, including SARS-CoV-2, via the formation of aerosols (ie, a suspension of microdroplets and residual microparticles after evaporation) generated during high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy in critically ill patients. This concern is fueled by limited available studies on this subject. In this study, we tested our hypothesis that HFNC treatment is not associated with increased aerosol formation as compared to conventional oxygen therapy.

Determination of Pathogens in Postoperative Wound Infection After Surgically Reduced Calcaneal Fractures and Implications for Prophylaxis and Treatment.

High rates of postoperative wound infection (POWI) have been reported after surgery for calcaneal fractures. This is a retrospective cohort study to determine the causative pathogens of these infections and subsequent treatment strategies. In addition, microbacterial growth from superficial wound swabs and deep fluid or tissue cultures were compared.

De-implementation strategy to Reduce the Inappropriate use of urinary and intravenous CATheters: study protocol for the RICAT-study.

Background: Urinary and (peripheral and central) intravenous catheters are widely used in hospitalized patients. However, up to 56% of the catheters do not have an appropriate indication and some serious complications with the use of these catheters can occur. The main objective of our quality improvement project is to reduce the use of catheters without an appropriate indication by 25-50%, and to evaluate the affecting factors of our de-implementation strategy.

Eradication of carriage with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: effectiveness of a national guideline.

Background: We evaluated the effectiveness of eradication of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriage in the Netherlands after the introduction of a guideline in 2006. The guideline distinguishes complicated (defined as the presence of MRSA infection, skin lesions, foreign-body material, mupirocin resistance and/or exclusive extranasal carriage) and uncomplicated carriage (not meeting criteria for complicated carriage). Mupirocin nasal ointment and chlorhexidine soap solution are recommended for uncomplicated carriers and the same treatment in combination with two oral antibiotics for complicated carriage.

Eradication of carriage with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: determinants of treatment failure.

Background: Using data from an observational study in which the effectiveness of a guideline for eradication of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) carriage was evaluated, we identified variables that were associated with treatment failure.

Methods: A multivariate logistic regression model was performed with subgroup analyses for uncomplicated and complicated MRSA carriage (the latter including MRSA infection, skin lesions, foreign-body material, mupirocin resistance and/or exclusive extranasal carriage) and for those treated according to the guideline (i.e.

Treatment of acute hepatitis C virus infection in HIV-infected MSM: the effect of treatment duration.

We evaluated hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment and the effect of treatment duration (24 versus 48 weeks) on treatment outcome among 50 HIV-infected men who have sex with men with acute HCV infection in Amsterdam. Overall sustained virological response (SVR) rate was 76%. Treatment duration was not significantly associated with SVR (adjusted odds ratio = 2.

Human parechoviruses as an important viral cause of sepsislike illness and meningitis in young children.

Background: Enteroviruses (EVs) belong to the family Picornaviridae and are a well-known cause of neonatal sepsis and viral meningitis. Human parechoviruses (HPeVs) type 1 and 2, previously named echovirus 22 and 23, have been associated with mild gastrointestinal or respiratory symptoms in young children. Six HPeV genotypes are currently known, of which HPeV3 is associated with neonatal sepsis and meningitis.

Transmission of hepatitis B virus from a surgeon to his patients during high-risk and low-risk surgical procedures during 4 years.

Objective: We investigated cases of acute hepatitis B in The Netherlands that were linked to the same general surgeon who was infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV).

Design: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of 1,564 patients operated on by the surgeon. Patients were tested for serologic HBV markers.