Pseudo-outbreak of Parengyodontium album related to contaminated saline used in specimen processing in the microbiology laboratory.

We report a cluster of 9 isolates of Parengyodontium album recovered from 4 patients who had surgical tissue specimens processed after dilution with a multiuse diluent saline solution. P album was also identified from a nonclinical sample on agar prepared with the same lot number of saline solution. Our epidemiological investigation revealed this to represent a pseudo-outbreak related to contaminated saline used to process specimens in the microbiology laboratory.

Disinfection of Virtual Reality Devices in Health Care Settings: In Vitro Assessment and Survey Study.

Background: Virtual reality (VR) devices are increasingly used in health care settings. The use among patients has the potential to unintentionally transmit pathogens between patients and hospital staff. No standard operating procedure for disinfection exists to ensure safe use between patients.

In-use contamination of a hospital-grade disinfectant.

Background: Microbiological monitoring of disinfection of high-touch surfaces identified heavy growth of Serratia marcescens and Achromobacter xylosoxidans not present on surfaces before disinfection, suggesting contamination of the disinfectant used.

Methods: An investigation included interview of the housekeeper involved, level of bacterial contamination of the in-use quaternary ammonium (Quat) disinfectant, bactericidal activity of the contaminated disinfectant, pulsed field gel electrophoresis of S.marcescens and Achromobacter isolates, survival of S.

Microbial burden on environmental surfaces in patient rooms before daily cleaning-Analysis of multiple confounding variables.

Objectives: Estimated levels of microbial burden on hospital environmental surfaces vary substantially among published studies. Cultures obtained during a cluster-controlled crossover trial of a quaternary ammonium (Quat) disinfectant versus an improved hydrogen peroxide (IHP) disinfectant provided additional data on the amount of microbial burden on selected surfaces.

Methods: RODAC plates containing D/E neutralizing agar were used to sample a convenience sample of 5-8 high-touch surfaces in patient rooms on 2 medical wards, an intensive care unit, and a step-down unit at a large hospital.

A multi-center outbreak of Candida tropicalis bloodstream infections associated with contaminated hemodialysis machine prime buckets.

Background: Outbreaks of fungal bloodstream infection (BSI) are uncommon among hemodialysis patients. We investigated an outbreak of Candida tropicalis BSIs involving patients at 3 of 4 affiliated hemodialysis units.

Methods: An investigation included a review of records of patients with C tropicalis BSI, a case-control study, and cultures of medications, hands of personnel, dialysis equipment, and water samples.

Hydrogen peroxide vapor decontamination of N95 respirators for reuse.

Objective: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has led to global shortages of N95 respirators. Reprocessing of used N95 respirators may provide a higher filtration crisis alternative, but whether effective sterilization can be achieved for a virus without impairing respirator function remains unknown. We evaluated the viricidal efficacy of Bioquell vaporized hydrogen peroxide (VHP) on contaminated N95 respirators and tested the particulate particle penetration and inhalation and exhalation resistance of respirators after multiple cycles of VHP.

Parenting behaviors and the well-being of children with a chronic physical condition.

Introduction: Numerous studies have identified the importance of parenting behaviors to the well-being of children with chronic physical conditions. Synthesizing the findings of these studies has potential to identify which parenting behaviors are associated with specific aspects of child well-being.

Method: We retrieved research reports addressing the relationship between parenting behaviors and well-being in children with chronic physical conditions, and categorized parenting behaviors based on Skinner, Johnson, and Snyder's (2005) core dimensions of parenting (warmth, rejection, structure, chaos, autonomy support, and coercion) Through meta-analysis, we examined relationships between parenting dimension and child well-being variables.

Prospective cluster controlled crossover trial to compare the impact of an improved hydrogen peroxide disinfectant and a quaternary ammonium-based disinfectant on surface contamination and health care outcomes.

Background: Quaternary ammonium-based (Quat) disinfectants are widely used, but they have disadvantages.

Methods: This was a 12-month prospective cluster controlled crossover trial. On 4 wards, housekeepers performed daily cleaning using a disinfectant containing either 0.

The Nature of Family Engagement in Interventions for Children With Chronic Conditions.

Recognizing the bi-directional relationship between family functioning and child well-being in the context of childhood chronic conditions, researchers have tested family-focused interventions aimed at promoting both child and family well-being through improving the family's condition management capacity. Based on a sample of 70 interventions for families in which there was a child with a chronic physical condition, this analysis examined the nature of family engagement in the interventions. Data were extracted from the intervention reports using a standardized template; conventional content analysis was used to describe family engagement.

The Contribution of Parent and Family Variables to the Well-Being of Youth With Arthritis.

Among developed countries, the reported prevalence of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) varies from 16 to 150 per 100,000. Previous reviews have identified risks faced by children with chronic conditions and indicate a relationship between parent/family characteristics and child adaptation. This analysis provides a mixed-methods synthesis of 29 research reports addressing the intersection of family life and JIA.

Parent-to-Child Transition in Managing Cystic Fibrosis: A Research Synthesis.

Although parents and children must adhere to five primary treatments for cystic fibrosis (CF), and their roles transition over time, the scope of CF studies often has been limited to one treatment regimen or to children within a specified age range. The purpose of this mixed research synthesis study is to integrate findings from qualitative and quantitative studies addressing the transition of CF management from parent to child, as well as factors related to adherence across treatments and over time. An existing grounded theory was used as a framework to synthesize findings in 17 reports from 16 studies.

Pseudo-outbreak of Actinomyces graevenitzii associated with bronchoscopy.

Outbreaks and pseudo-outbreaks of infection related to bronchoscopy typically involve Gram-negative bacteria, Mycobacterium species or Legionella species. We report an unusual bronchoscopy-related pseudo-outbreak due to Actinomyces graevenitzii. Extensive epidemiological and microbiological investigation failed to identify a common source.

Evaluation of two organosilane products for sustained antimicrobial activity on high-touch surfaces in patient rooms.

A controlled trial of applying 2 organosilane-based products with antimicrobial properties to high-touch surfaces was conducted in 9 patient rooms. Cultures of surfaces obtained before daily cleaning with a quaternary ammonium disinfectant showed no significant residual antimicrobial activity of the organosilane products, although a modest reduction could not be excluded.

Managing large-volume literature searches in research synthesis studies.

Background: Systematic reviews typically require searching for, retrieving, and screening a large volume of literature, yet little guidance is available on how to manage this volume.

Purpose: We detail methods used to search for and manage the yield of relevant citations for a mixed-methods, mixed research synthesis study focused on the intersection between family life and childhood chronic physical conditions.

Methods: We designed inclusive search strings and searched nine bibliographic databases to identify relevant research regardless of methodological origin.

Best practices in disinfection of noncritical surfaces in the health care setting: creating a bundle for success.

Because increasing evidence suggests that the environment plays a role in transmission of health care-associated infections, more attention is focusing on environmental cleaning and improving its efficacy. Creating and sustaining a successful cleaning and disinfection program should include several key components using a bundle approach and requires ongoing commitment within the institution.

Evaluation of a new hydrogen peroxide wipe disinfectant.

A new activated hydrogen peroxide wipe disinfectant was used to disinfect 10 high-touch surfaces in 72 patient rooms. After cleaning, 99% of surfaces yielded less than 2.5 colony-forming units/cm(2), 75% yielded no growth, and 70% yielded adenosine triphosphate counts of less than 250 relative light units.

Comparison of the microbiological efficacy of hydrogen peroxide vapor and ultraviolet light processes for room decontamination.

Objective: To compare the microbiological efficacy of hydrogen peroxide vapor (HPV) and ultraviolet radiation (UVC) for room decontamination.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: 500-bed teaching hospital.

Continued development of the family management style framework.

Based on a review of 64 published reports, this article addresses the implications of current research for the further development of the Family Management Style Framework (FMSF). Articles are published in 46 different journals, including 13 in nursing and 12 in interdisciplinary outlets. Most studies are based on samples of less than 50 individuals.

Comparison of fluorescent marker systems with 2 quantitative methods of assessing terminal cleaning practices.

Objective: To compare fluorescent markers with aerobic colony counts (ACCs) and an adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence assay system for assessing terminal cleaning practices.

Design: A prospective observational survey.

Setting: A 500-bed university-affiliated community teaching hospital.

Terminal decontamination of patient rooms using an automated mobile UV light unit.

Objective: To determine the ability of a mobile UV light unit to reduce bacterial contamination of environmental surfaces in patient rooms.

Methods: An automated mobile UV light unit that emits UV-C light was placed in 25 patient rooms after patient discharge and operated using a 1- or 2-stage procedure. Aerobic colony counts were calculated for each of 5 standardized high-touch surfaces in the rooms before and after UV light decontamination (UVLD).

Cleanliness of portable medical equipment disinfected by nursing staff.

Increased attention has been focused on disinfection by housekeepers, but few data are available on disinfection of equipment by nurses. We used adenosine triphosphate bioluminescence assays and aerobic cultures to assess the cleanliness of portable medical equipment disinfected by nurses between each patient use. We found that the equipment was not being disinfected as per protocol and that education and feedback to nursing are warranted to improve disinfection of medical equipment.