Adherence to Antibiotic Prescription Guidelines in Four Community Hospitals in Germany.

This retrospective study aimed to assess and compare guideline adherence and treatment costs in the management of urinary tract infections (UTIs) and bloodstream infections (BSIs) in German tertiary hospitals from January 2019 to December 2020. The study analyzed 586 patient records, with 65% diagnosed with UTIs and 35% with BSIs. Antibiotic treatment was given to 98% of patients, but only 65% received microbiological diagnostics.

[Deep sternal wound infection after sternotomy - Report of the consensus workshop of the German-Speaking Society for Microsurgery of Peripheral Nerves and Vessels (DAM)].

Deep sternal wound infection (TSWI) is a potentially life-threatening complication that may occur after median sternotomy, contributing to prolonged hospital stay and increased health care costs. Bacterial infection is often characterized by biofilm formation on implant material and/or dead bone. Diagnosis is made upon clinical signs and symptoms of local and systemic infection.

Deep Surgical Site Infections after Open Radical Cystectomy and Urinary Diversion Significantly Increase Hospitalisation Time and Total Treatment Costs.

Introduction: Deep surgical site infections (DSSI) usually require secondary treatments. The aim of this study was to compare the total length of hospitalisation (LOH), intensive care unit (ICU) duration, and total treatment costs in patients with DSSI versus without DSSI after open radical cystectomy (ORC) and urinary diversion.

Material And Methods: Prospective case-control study in a tertiary care hospital in patients after ORC with urinary diversion during April 2008 to July 2012.

Intensive care physicians' and nurses' perception that hand hygiene prevents pathogen transmission: Belief strength and associations with other cognitive factors.

Besides habituation, conscious decision-making remains important for healthcare workers' hand hygiene compliance. This study compared 307 physicians and 348 nurses in intensive care at a German university medical centre regarding their belief that hand disinfection prevents pathogen transmission. Physicians perceived less risk reduction ( p < 0.

The prevalence of nosocomial and community acquired infections in a university hospital: an observational study.

Background: Nosocomial infections (NI) increase morbidity and mortality. Studies of their prevalence in single institutions can reveal trends over time and help to identify risk factors.

Methods: In March and April 2010, data were prospectively recorded from all inpatients at the Hannover Medical School (Germany) except those treated in the pediatric, psychosomatic, and psychiatric services.

Hand hygiene compliance in transplant and other special patient groups: an observational study.

Background: This study evaluates hand hygiene behavior of health care workers in a German university hospital stratified for treatment of special patient groups (eg, transplant patients).

Methods: From 2008 to 2010, comprehensive education and training of all health care workers was implemented to improve hand hygiene compliance. Consumption rates of alcohol-based hand rub and gloves were collected and evaluated.

Beliefs about hand hygiene: a survey in medical students in their first clinical year.

Medical students were asked regarding knowledge and beliefs on hand hygiene before entering the clinical phase of education. By this, we noticed a lack of knowledge concerning the correct indications for hand disinfection. Regardless of previous experience in hospitals, the medical students expected that the compliance towards hand hygiene would be worse in more experienced physicians and senior consultants--who are often considered to be role models for medical students.

Antibiotic pretreatment of heart valve prostheses to prevent early prosthetic valve endocarditis.

Background And Aim Of The Study: Prosthetic valve endocarditis (PVE), a rare but major complication after heart valve replacement surgery, has potentially catastrophic consequences despite maximal treatment. Thus, preventive measures are essential. The study aim was to investigate the effect of pretreating heart valve prostheses with the antibiotics baneomycin and daptomycin, with and without surgical sealant fibrin glue as a drug-releasing substance.

Five-years surveillance of invasive aspergillosis in a university hospital.

Background: As the most common invasive fungal infection, invasive aspergillosis (IA) remains a serious complication in immunocompromised patients, leading to increased mortality. Antifungal therapy is expensive and may result in severe adverse effects.The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of invasive aspergillosis (IA) cases in a tertiary care university hospital using a standardized surveillance method.

Surgical site infections--economic consequences for the health care system.

Purposes: Unfortunately, surgical site infections (SSIs) are a quite common complication and represent one of the major causes of postoperative morbidity and mortality, and may furthermore lead to enormous additional costs for hospitals and health care systems.

Methods: In order to determine the estimated costs due to SSIs, a MEDLINE search was performed to identify articles that provide data on economic aspects of SSIs and compared to findings from a matched case-control study on costs of SSIs after coronary bypass grafting (CABG) in a German tertiary care university hospital.

Results: A total of 14 studies on costs were found.

Sternal surgical site infection prevention - is there any room for improvement?

Objective: The objectives of this multicenter study are to evaluate current clinical practices in cardiac surgery concerning the prevention and management of sternal wound infections, to identify room for improvement, and to support implementation of systematic measures.

Methods: As a part of a campaign for infection prevention in cardiac surgery in Germany, a multiple-choice questionnaire with two main sections was developed and submitted to all cardiac surgery units in Germany (79). The project was realized in cooperation with the German Society for Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, the BQS Institute for Quality and Patient Safety, and the National Reference Center for Nosocomial Infection Surveillance.

Prevention of early vascular graft infection using regional antibiotic release.

Background: Infections after prosthetic replacement of the aorta remain a serious and life-threatening complication. The only appropriate treatment is the surgical removal of the infected prosthesis. Accordingly, there is a need for new procedures to prevent the infection of vascular prostheses.

Economic implications of infections of implantable cardiac devices in a single institution.

Introduction: The use of medical devices, such as cardiac pacemakers, prosthetic heart valves and vascular prostheses, has become a routine treatment procedure in cardiovascular medicine. Unfortunately, bacterial infections of these devices are a serious and sometimes life-threatening for the patient, necessitating explantation. Despite implementing different prophylactic strategies to avoid contamination of the device, infections do occur.

Economic aspects of deep sternal wound infections.

Objectives: Surgical-site infections are a very expensive complication in cardiac surgery. Thus, the total costs for coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) surgery may substantially increase when a deep sternal wound infection (DSWI) occurs. This may be due to an extended length of stay (LOS), the need for additional surgical procedures, vacuum-assisted wound dressing and antibiotic therapy.

Decrease of deep sternal surgical site infection rates after cardiac surgery by a comprehensive infection control program.

When we noticed an increasing incidence of deep sternal surgical site infections (DSSI), a bundle of interdisciplinary infection control measures was initiated in order to prevent further cases of DSSI. Adherence to infection control measures was re-inforced, which included (1) methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) screening, (2) bacterial decolonisation measures, (3) hair clipping instead of shaving, (4) education, (5) good stewardship for antibiotic prophylaxis, (6) change of surgical gloves after sternotomy and after sternal wiring, (7) new bandage techniques, (8) leaving the wound primarily covered for at least 48 h. We checked for potential risk factors in a case-control study (120 patients each) by multivariate analysis.