SARS-CoV-2 Polymerase Chain Reaction Cycle Threshold Trends in Patients Who Are Immunocompromised and Implications for Isolation Precautions.

Among 495 patients who were immunocompromised and tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, polymerase chain reaction cycle thresholds remained <33 beyond 20 days more frequently in patients with hematologic malignancies, particularly those receiving B-cell-depleting or Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitor therapy, as compared with those with solid organ malignancy (26% vs 5%).

Impact of SARS-CoV-2 Prevention Measures on Non-SARS-CoV-2 Hospital-Onset Respiratory Viral Infections: An Incidence Trend Analysis From 2015-2023.

We reviewed hospital-onset respiratory viral infections, 2015-2023, in one hospital to determine whether Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission prevention measures prevented non-SARS-CoV-2 respiratory viral infections. Masking, employee symptom attestations, and screening patients and visitors for symptoms were associated with a 44%-53% reduction in hospital-onset influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), accounting for changes in community incidence.

Ralstonia pickettii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa Bloodstream Infections Associated With Contaminated Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Water Heater Devices.

We report on probable factory-based contamination of portable water heaters with waterborne pathogens and 2 bloodstream infections potentially attributable to off-label use of these water heaters to warm extracorporeal membrane oxygenation circuits. Great caution is warranted when using water-based devices to care for critically ill patients.

Cluster of Burkholderia cepacia Complex Infections Associated With Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Water Heater Devices.

Background: Burkholderia cepacia complex is a group of potential nosocomial pathogens often linked to contaminated water. We report on a cluster of 8 B. cepacia complex infections in cardiothoracic intensive care unit patients, which were attributed to contaminated extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) water heaters.

Rapid Control of Hospital-Based Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Omicron Clusters Through Daily Testing and Universal Use of N95 Respirators.

The highly contagious severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 Omicron variant increases risk for nosocomial transmission despite universal masking, admission testing, and symptom screening. We report large increases in hospital-onset infections and 2 unit-based clusters. The clusters rapidly abated after instituting universal N95 respirators and daily testing.

Association Between Airborne Infection Isolation Room Utilization Rates and Healthcare Worker Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Infections in 2 Academic Hospitals.

We compared healthcare worker severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection rates between March and August 2020 in 2 similar hospitals with high vs low airborne infection isolation room utilization rates but otherwise identical infection control policies. We found no difference in healthcare worker infection rates between the 2 hospitals, nor between patient-facing vs non-patient-facing providers.

Prospective Clinical Assessments of Hospitalized Patients With Positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR Tests for Necessity of Isolation.

We prospectively assessed 536 hospitalized patients with positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) polymerase chain reaction tests for infectiousness based on symptoms, cycle thresholds, and SARS-CoV-2 history, with repeat testing and serologies in select cases. One hundred forty-eight (28%) patients were deemed noninfectious, most with evidence of prior infection, and managed on standard precautions without evidence of transmission.

The Risk of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Transmission from Patients With Undiagnosed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) to Roommates in a Large Academic Medical Center.

We assessed severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission between patients in shared rooms in an academic hospital between September 2020 and April 2021. In total, 11 290 patients were admitted to shared rooms, of whom 25 tested positive. Among 31 exposed roommates, 12 (39%) tested positive within 14 days.

Incidence of Nosocomial COVID-19 in Patients Hospitalized at a Large US Academic Medical Center.

Importance: Some patients are avoiding essential care for fear of contracting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in hospitals. There are few data, however, on the risk of acquiring COVID-19 in US hospitals.

Objective: To assess the incidence of COVID-19 among patients hospitalized at a large US academic medical center in the 12 weeks after the first inpatient case was identified.

Hospital Length of Stay With a Proactive Psychiatric Consultation Model in the Medical Intensive Care Unit: A Prospective Cohort Analysis.

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that proactive psychiatric consultation reduces hospital length of stay (LOS) in the general medical setting; however this model has not been studied in the intensive care unit (ICU).

Objective: To compare outcomes between a conventional consultation model and a proactive psychiatric consultation model.

Methods: Two medical ICUs (MICUs) were randomized to proactive psychiatric consultation vs conventional consultation psychiatric models.

ED-based care coordination reduces costs for frequent ED users.

Objectives: We evaluated a pilot quality improvement intervention implemented in an urban academic medical center emergency department (ED) to improve care coordination and reduce ED visits and hospitalizations among frequent ED users.

Study Design: Randomized controlled trial.

Methods: We identified the most frequent ED users in both the 30 days prior to the intervention and the 12 months prior to the intervention.