Evaluation of cleaning process efficacy of instruments for robotic surgery using the adenosine triphosphate test.

Background: Despite the advances in robotic surgery and its benefits for the patient and surgeon, there are difficulties and challenges in reprocessing surgical instruments, including with regard to patient safety, such as the risk of infection. The aim of this article is to evaluate the effectiveness of manual plus ultrasonic cleaning of EndoWrist devices used in robotic surgery using the adenosine triphosphate bioluminescence quantitative test.

Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study assessed the cleanliness of robotic instrumentals used in surgeries.

Assessment of the Hawthorne effect during central venous catheter manipulation.

Objectives: To describe the compliance to the practices of hand hygiene and hub disinfection before manipulation of the central venous catheter in two moments: before and after educational intervention. Adherence to hand hygiene was assessed with two methods: direct observation and video camera.

Methods: Before and after study conducted with the nursing team in an adult intensive care unit, in São Paulo, Brazil, including 180 observations using video cameras and direct observation.

SARS-Cov-2 seroprevalence and risk factors among health care workers: Estimating the risk of COVID-19 dedicated units.

We evaluated the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 and risk factors among 1,996 oligo/asymptomatic health care workers. The seroprevalence was 5.5% and risk factors associated with being infected with SARS-CoV-2 was professional category of cleaning (adj odds ratio 2.

Psychological characteristics are associated with healthcare worker adherence to infection control practices.

Background: Most bloodstream infections related to vascular catheters can be avoided if evidence-based practices are applied during insertion and maintenance. In practice, adherence by health care workers (HCWs) is unsatisfactory and is the main current challenge. The objective of this study is to investigate associations between adherence to infection control practices and performance in psychological tests.

Influenza A (H1N1): outbreak management in a dialysis unit and clinical outcomes of infection in chronic hemodialysis patients.

Introduction: Chronic hemodialysis (HD) patients are considered to be at high risk for infection. Here, we describe the clinical outcomes of chronic HD patients with influenza A (H1N1) infection and the strategies adopted to control an outbreak of influenza A in a dialysis unit.

Methods: Among a total of 62 chronic HD patients, H1N1 infection was identified in 12 (19.

The Impact of Restricting Over-the-Counter Sales of Antimicrobial Drugs: Preliminary Analysis of National Data.

To describe the nationwide impact of a restrictive law on over-the-counter sales of antimicrobial drugs, implemented in Brazil in November 2010. Approximately 75% of the population receives healthcare from the public health system and receives free-of-charge medication if prescribed. Total sales in private pharmacies as compared with other channels of sales of oral antibiotics were evaluated in this observational study before and after the law (2008-2012).

Non-multidrug-resistant, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in a neonatal unit.

Background: In the last decade, non-multiresistant methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (NM-MRSA) has been described as an important agent in bloodstream infections in our hospital.

Methods: This prospective cohort study, conducted from February 2009 through January 2010 in the neonatal unit, evaluated 403 newborns (NB), their 382 mothers and 148 health care workers (HCW).

Results: Approximately 217 NB (54%), 187 mothers (48%) and 87 HCW (59%) were colonized by S.

Colonization pressure as a risk factor for colonization by multiresistant Acinetobacter spp and carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa in an intensive care unit.

Objective: To determine factors associated with colonization by carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa and multiresistant Acinetobacter spp.

Methods: Surveillance cultures were collected from patients admitted to the intensive care unit at admission, on the third day after admission and weekly until discharge. The outcome was colonization by these pathogens.

Multi-institutional outbreak of Burkholderia cepacia complex associated with contaminated mannitol solution prepared in compounding pharmacy.

Background: Burkholderia cepacia complex (BCC) has been described as a cause of nosocomial outbreaks. We describe an outbreak of and identify risk factors for nosocomial BCC infections associated with intrinsically contaminated mannitol 3% solution.

Methods: Urinary and bloodstream infection caused by BCC were identified in hospitalized patients who underwent urologic surgery and received intraoperative irrigation of 3% mannitol solution in February 2009.

Pandemic 2009 H1N1 influenza among health care workers.

To evaluate factors associated with pandemic influenza among health care workers (HCWs), a case-case-control study was conducted with 52 confirmed cases, 120 influenza-negative cases, and 102 controls. Comorbidities (odds ratio [OR], 19.05; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 4.

Performance of surveillance cultures at different body sites to identify asymptomatic Staphylococcus aureus carriers.

The objective was to evaluate the performance of surveillance cultures at various body sites for Staphylococcus aureus colonization in pregnant women and newborns (NB) and the factors associated with nasal colonization. For NB, 4 sites were evaluated: nares, oropharynx, perineum, and umbilical stump (birth, third day, and weekly). For pregnant women, 4 sites during labor: anterior nares, anus, perineum, and oropharynx.

Candida parapsilosis candidaemia in a neonatal unit over 7 years: a case series study.

Objective: To evaluate Candida parapsilosis candidaemia in a neonatal unit over 7 years.

Design: Case series study.

Setting: A 2000-bed tertiary-care university hospital at São Paulo, Brazil.

Cost-effectiveness of sick leave policies for health care workers with influenza-like illness, Brazil, 2009.

We describe the effect of influenza-like illness (ILI) during the outbreak of pandemic (H1N1) 2009 on health care worker (HCW) absenteeism and compare the effectiveness and cost of 2 sick leave policies for HCWs with suspected influenza. We assessed initial 2-day sick leaves plus reassessment until the HCW was asymptomatic (2-day + reassessment policy), and initial 7-day sick leaves (7-day policy). Sick leaves peaked in August 2009: 3% of the workforce received leave for ILI.

Evaluation of interventions to reduce catheter-associated bloodstream infection: continuous tailored education versus one basic lecture.

Background: This study evaluated the impact of 2 models of educational intervention on rates of central venous catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CVC-BSIs).

Methods: This was a prospective observational study conducted between January 2005 and June 2007 in 2 medical intensive care units (designated ICU A and ICU B) in a large teaching hospital. The study was divided into in 3 periods: baseline (only rates were evaluated), preintervention (questionnaire to evaluate knowledge of health care workers [HCWs] and observation of CVC care in both ICUs), and intervention (in ICU A, tailored, continuous intervention; in ICU B, a single lecture).

Impact of an educational program and policy changes on decreasing catheter-associated bloodstream infections in a medical intensive care unit in Brazil.

Background: Central venous catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CVC-BSI) are a frequent cause of morbidity and mortality in intensive care settings. Many strategies have been used to decrease the risk of CVC-BSI; however, few studies have explored the educational intervention as an approach to reduce the CVC-BSI rates.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of an educational program targeted to specific points observed during CVC care practices on decreasing CVC-BSI in a medical intensive care unit.