Addressing mental and emotional health concerns experienced by nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: Nurses are the majority of the world's health work force and the frontline responders during pandemics. The mental/emotional toll can be profound if it is not identified and treated.

Purpose: In March 2020, with New York City as the epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, Columbia University School of Nursing organized support circles for faculty and students providing clinical care as a healing method to address trauma.

Transforming nursing curricula for a global community.

With nurses and midwives providing the majority of health care globally, nursing education in all countries must prepare students for broader responsibilities to move the agenda forward for equitable care and universal health coverage. Columbia University School of Nursing developed and implemented a vibrant approach to curriculum transformation that included a new didactic course followed by a program of global clinical experiences to expand students' learning environments in global health. Program planning included defining learning objectives, mobilizing support within the school, establishing new sites, recruiting and preparing students, overseeing of students with host institutions, and evaluating the program.

Infant Colonization With Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus or Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococci Preceding Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Discharge.

Rates of colonization with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and/or vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) were determined for 1320 infants within 7 days of neonatal intensive care unit discharge. Overall, 4% and 1% of the infants were colonized with MRSA or VRE, respectively. Predictors identified in fixed-effects models were surgery during hospitalization (for MRSA colonization) and prolonged antimicrobial treatment (for VRE colonization).

Gram-Negative Bacilli in Infants Hospitalized in The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Background: Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) account for a significant burden of infection and colonization in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), and antibiotic resistance among these pathogens is of increasing concern.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was performed in 4 NICUs between May 2009 and April 2012. The body sites from which GNB were isolated, antimicrobial susceptibilities of the GNB isolated, and antimicrobial therapy were assessed.

Colonization With Antimicrobial-Resistant Gram-Negative Bacilli at Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Discharge.

Background: The epidemiology of the colonization of infants with antimicrobial-resistant Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) at discharge from the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is not well understood.

Methods: A multicenter study in which rectal surveillance samples for culture were obtained at NICU discharge from infants hospitalized ≥14 days was performed. Factors associated with colonization with GNB resistant to gentamicin, third/fourth-generation cephalosporin agents, or carbapenem agents were assessed by using a fixed-effects model.

Multicenter Study of Hand Carriage of Potential Pathogens by Neonatal ICU Healthcare Personnel.

A multicenter surveillance study was performed to determine the rates of hand carriage of potential pathogens among healthcare personnel in four neonatal intensive care units. Staphylococcus aureus, enterococci, and gram-negative bacilli were recovered from 8%, 3%, and 2% of 1000 hand culture samples, respectively.

Development of an antimicrobial stewardship intervention using a model of actionable feedback.

We describe the development of an audit and feedback intervention to improve antibiotic prescribing in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) using a theoretical framework. Participants included attending physicians, neonatal fellows, pediatric residents, and nurse practitioners. The intervention was based on the "model of actionable feedback" which emphasizes that feedback should be timely, individualized, nonpunitive, and customized to be effective.

Clinical vignettes provide an understanding of antibiotic prescribing practices in neonatal intensive care units.

Objective: To use clinical vignettes to understand antimicrobial prescribing practices in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs).

Design: Vignette-based survey.

Setting: Four tertiary care NICUs.

Barriers to mask wearing for influenza-like illnesses among urban Hispanic households.

Objectives: To identify barriers to mask wearing and to examine the factors associated with the willingness to wear masks among households.

Design And Sample: We used data sources from a study assessing the impact of 3 nonpharmaceutical interventions on the rates of influenza: exit interviews; home visits with a subset of the mask group; and a focus group.

Measures: Risk perception score, univariate analysis, and logistic regression were conducted to identify the characteristics and predictors of mask use.

Predictors of flu vaccination among urban Hispanic children and adults.

Background: Flu vaccination is effective for preventing infection, but coverage levels in the USA remain low-especially among racial/ethnic minorities. This study examines factors associated with flu vaccination in a predominantly Hispanic community in Manhattan, New York.

Methods: Households were recruited during the 2006-2007 and 2007-2008 flu seasons.

Antibiotic identification, use, and self-medication for respiratory illnesses among urban Latinos.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the extent to which antibiotic and nonantibiotic medications commonly used for upper respiratory infections (URIs) were correctly identified by a sample of urban dwelling Latinas and the association of medication identification with antibiotic use and self-medication.

Data Sources: One hundred women completed an interview and were asked to identify whether a list of 39 medications (17 antibiotics, 22 nonantibiotics) were antibiotics or not, whether anyone in the household had used the medication, their ages, and the source of the medication.

Results: Overall, participants correctly identified 62% of nonantibiotics and 34% of antibiotics.

Impact of non-pharmaceutical interventions on URIs and influenza in crowded, urban households.

Objectives: We compared the impact of three household interventions-education, education with alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and education with hand sanitizer and face masks-on incidence and secondary transmission of upper respiratory infections (URIs) and influenza, knowledge of transmission of URIs, and vaccination rates.

Methods: A total of 509 primarily Hispanic households participated. Participants reported symptoms twice weekly, and nasal swabs were collected from those with an influenza-like illness (ILI).

Research findings from nonpharmaceutical intervention studies for pandemic influenza and current gaps in the research.

In June 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a request for applications to identify, improve, and evaluate the effectiveness of nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs)-strategies other than vaccines and antiviral medications-to mitigate the spread of pandemic influenza within communities and across international borders (RFA-CI06-010). These studies have provided major contributions to seasonal and pandemic influenza knowledge. Nonetheless, key concerns were identified related to the acceptability and protective efficacy of NPIs.

Effect of intensive education on knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding upper respiratory infections among urban Latinos.

Background: Although upper respiratory infections (URIs) take a major social and economic toll, little research has been conducted to assess the impact of educational interventions on knowledge, attitudes, and practices of community members regarding prevention and treatment of URIs, particularly among recently immigrated urban Latinos who may not be reached by the mainstream healthcare system.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to assess the impact of a culturally appropriate, home-based educational intervention on the knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding prevention and treatment of URIs among urban Latinos.

Methods: Using a pretest-posttest design, Spanish-language educational materials available from sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were adapted based on feedback from community focus groups and provided to households during an in-person home visit every 2 months (generally three to four visits).

Low sensitivity of rapid diagnostic test for influenza.

The QuickVue Influenza A+B Test (Quidel) was used to test nasal swab specimens obtained from persons with influenza-like illness in 3 different populations. Compared with reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction, the test sensitivity was low for all populations (median, 27%; range, 19%-32%), whereas the specificity was high (median, 97%; range, 96%-99.6%).

Retention and protocol adherence of Hispanic volunteers in a longitudinal trial.

Objectives: To compare Hispanic research volunteers with high and low levels of study retention and adherence.

Methods: Correlational analysis of demographics, recruitment strategies, knowledge, and attitudes of 470 households in a clinical trial.

Results: Within 12 months, 53 (11.

Preferences among immigrant Hispanic women for written educational materials regarding upper respiratory infections.

The need for culturally appropriate health education materials for Hispanic populations has been widely recognized, and Spanish-language materials are available through a number of private and governmental organizations. We convened two focus groups to elucidate preferences regarding how health-related messages are obtained and to identify which educational materials available in Spanish were preferred by 26 recently immigrated Hispanic homemakers who had received 15 different bimonthly written documents as part of a community-based clinical trial to prevent household transmission of colds and influenza. Participants gave three primary reasons for volunteering to participate in the study: to provide better care for their children (96.

Knowledge and misconceptions regarding upper respiratory infections and influenza among urban Hispanic households: need for targeted messaging.

Background: To characterize knowledge and misconceptions regarding viral upper respiratory infections (URI) among urban Hispanics and identify correlates of greater knowledge.

Methods: In-home interviews conducted by trained research coordinators in 453 primarily Hispanic households (2,386 members) in northern Manhattan.

Results: The majority of respondents attributed URI to weather-related conditions.