To describe the characteristics and the problems arising from the use of vascular catheterization in a general hospital and to identify avoidable risk factors associated with catheter-related infections.

Cross-sectional, including the entire hospitalized population.

A university-affiliated hospital.

Three-hundred fifty-three intravascular catheters were implanted in 315 of a total of 1,838 hospitalized patients (17.1%, confidence interval [CI] = 15.7-18.5). Of the 353 intravascular catheters, 26 (7.3%) were intraarterial, 273 (77.3%) were peripheral, and 54 (15.3%) were central. The median (range) duration of the catheterization was 3 (1-1 1) days for arterial catheters, 1 (1-24) for peripheral catheters, and 5 (1- 130) for central catheters. Fifty-three (15%, CI = 11.5-19.5) showed signs of infection. Independent risk factors associated with infection were the presence of infection located elsewhere (odds ratio [OR]=8.7, CI=4.13-18.3, p<.0001), inappropriate catheter care (OR= 5.3, CI = 2.5-11.2, p<.0001), inappropriate length of catheter use (OR= 3.5, CI = 1.4-9.02, p<.01), and duration of hospitalization exceeding 14 days (OR=2.6, CI=O.9-7.83,p=.07).

The risk factors associated with catheter-related infections suggest that many are preventable by improved protocols for management. This hypothesis can easily be tested.

The mechanical/chemical infectious waste disposal system (IWDS), model Z-5000 HC, manufactured by Medical SafeTEC Inc. (Indianapolis, Indiana) was evaluated for its ability to disinfect biomedical waste.

The IWDS was operated with a sodium hypochlorite solution and tested with loads consisting of microbial cultures and blood. During and after processing, samples of liquid, milled solid waste, and leachate were collected to determine the efficacy of disinfection and the chemical by-products released. An inactivation factor was calculated. Aerosol emission was studied. All tests were done in triplicate.

Our results showed the expected level of disinfection (inactivation factor >5 log,,) for all tests carried out with Bacillus subtilis, Enterococcus faecalis, Candida albicans, and Serratia marcescens, and for most of the tests with Mycobacterium fortuitum and bacteriophages 0X174 and f2. Further tests performed in the absence of blood resulted in an inactivation factor 35 log,, for all tests with M fortuitum, but not for those of the milled solids with bacteriophage f2. Aerosols were found to escape the apparatus when the IWDS was operated in the absence of chlorine. The liquid effluent contained an average of 17,600, and 15 mg/l of free chlorine, chloramines, and trihalomethanes (THM), respectively. The air effluent contained 1.1 mg/m3 of total chlorine and 1.4 kg/m3 of THM.

Under our study conditions and except for certain tests with bacteriophage f2, the IWDS reduced the microbial populations tested by a factor of 5 log10. The aerosol dispersion problem remains to be solved, and the significance of the chemical by-products released will require further investigation.

To estimate seroprevalence of antibodies to hepatitis C virus in healthcare workers at high risk for blood exposure.

A prospective anonymous seroprevalence survey of 243 healthcare workers.

A large referral hospital and 2 community hospitals in Connecticut.

Healthcare workers, including surgical personnel, dentists, hemodialysis workers, laboratory workers, and emergency room staff.

Antibody to hepatitis C virus was found in 1.6% (95% confidence interval [CI95] = 03.2%) of healthcare workers. None of the prevalent seropositives had a past history of clinical hepatitis or blood transfusion.

We conclude that the sero-prevalence of hepatitis C virus in healthcare workers with a high degree of blood exposure is low and is similar to seroprevalence rates reported for volunteer blood donors. However, first-generation hepatitis C serologic tests may underestimate the true prevalence of infection. Further studies, including prospective cohort studies, will be required to determine if the low seroprevalence is from low risk of acquisition of disease or from loss of measurable humoral antibody response to the virus.

Current efforts to contain antimicrobial costs in hospitals are based on restricting drugs. We explored the effects of unsolicited case-specific recommendations to physicians to discontinue parenteral antimicrobial therapy in medically stable patients with pneumonia, in order to shorten hospital length of stay

A nurse-interventionist, working as an emissary of an appropriate committee in 3 nonteaching community hospitals, presented randomly assigned physicians with nonconfrontational suggestions to substitute comparable oral antimicrobials for parenteral antimicrobials. Blinded observers evaluated in-hospital and 30-day postdischarge courses of patients of physicians who had been contacted by the nurse (cases) and those who had not (controls).

Eighty-two patient episodes (47 physicians) met study criteria. There were 53 cases and 29 controls. In 42 of 53 (79%) case episodes, physicians discontinued parenteral antimicrobials; patients' mean length of stay was 2.4 days less than for 29 control episodes (estimated cost savings was $884/patient). In 11 (21%) episodes, case physicians continued parenteral therapy; patients' mean length of stay was 1.9 days longer than for controls (estimated cost excess was $704/patient). Education, training and practice characteristics were comparable in physician groups. Severity of illness indicators and postdischarge outcomes were comparable in patient groups.

The major cost-saving potential for shifting from par-enter-al to oral antimicrobial therapy is shortened length of stay. Timely information about alternative drug therapies, offered on a patient-specific basis, appears to modify the treating behavior of physicians. The program as currently conducted is cost-effective, with an estimated net savings of $50,000 per 100 interventions.

To study an increase of antimicrobial-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and to assess reasons for the delayed detection of this increase.

Review of medical, laboratory, and infection control records. Plasmid profile analysis of available A baumannii isolates.

A 340-bed trauma and intensive care hospital in Detroit, Michigan.

The number of hospitalized patients with resistant A baumannii increased during late 1989 and early 1990: 4 in September, 10 in October, 12 in November, 18 in December, and 23 in January (chi square for trend = 14.6, p= .0001). Forty-four (66%) of the 67 patients culture-positive for resistant A baumannii had respiratory tract colonization or infection. Of 11 resistant isolates, 6 had a similar plasmid profile and 5 had no plasmids. Under the hospital's targeted surveillance system, only positive cultures from blood or wounds were investigated; this largely respiratory increase of resistant A baumannii went unrecognized until January 1990.

Antimicrobial resistance in A baumannii is an important concern. Such resistance is not necessarily plasmid mediated. Tar geted surveillance for this and other agents of nosocomial infection should be used with caution, particularly in hospitals with many debilitated patients.

To investigate reported needlestick injuries in hospital workers from an adult learner theory perspective: identifying safe needle device knowledge and practice, and flaws in needle designs and management practices surrounding such problems.

Exploratory descriptive study of reported needlestick injuries from hollow needled devices in a hospital. Injured healthcare workers were counseled via hospital protocol, then a survey was filled out containing no identifiers of individual or institution.

Seventeen Metropolitan Washington, DC, area hospitals.

All workers reporting needlestick injuries during February 1-28, 1990.

Seventy-two injuries were reported; there were no multiple injuries to any individual. Thirty-three (45.8%) were to registered nurses (RNs)-more than any other group of workers. Recapping accounted for a higher percentage than any other activity (10 sticks, 14.1%). Of workers incurring recapping injuries, 3 identified a knowledge of a one-handed spearing technique and did not practice it; 4 neither knew nor practiced it. Eighteen (25.0%) were to “down-stream” housekeepers and aides who did not use such devices in their practice. Disposable needle/syringes caused 49.3% of injuries; hypodermic needles on intravenous lines caused 16.9%. Of the needlesticks, 60.6% were after use and before disposal, 4.2% occurred as the worker was putting an item into a needlebox, and 9.9% occurred from needles protruding from inappropriate bags. Many injuries occurred in the first 2 hours of work after being off the previous day, on Sunday, and on Monday

Of nurses and medical technologists reporting knowledge of a spearing recapping technique, 97.3% suffered injury via other methods. This strongly suggests that knowledge leads to different action. Safer needled devices and needle-free systems would make a safer workplace. Further study is indicated to identify if and why the first two hours after returning to work on Sunday or Monday are risky for needlestick injuries. Management practices must ensure compliance to safe practice both by employees and related medical staff.

To describe the epidemiology of a cluster of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VAREC) in a cardiothoracic surgery intensive care unit.

A case series of patients identified through review of surveillance data on nosocomial infections, review of microbiologic records, and culture survey of patients in the unit.

Six patients in the cardiothoracic surgery intensive care unit had VAREC with identical antimicrobic susceptibility patterns over a 6-month period. Four patients were identified with VAREC through prospective surveillance and 2 through retrospective review. Prior vancomycin use was seen more commonly in patients with VAREC (6/6,100%) than in those without VAREC (3/12, 25%) (Fisher’s exact test, p= .01). Six of the 7 patients with prior infection developed VAREC (85.7%). A prior nosocomial infection and prior exposure to vancomycin were found to be important variables in a logistic regression analysis. VAREC also was isolated from the environment. Acombination of cohorting of patients and staff, and modifications of standard contact isolation practices eliminated the presence of VAREC from the cardiothoracic surgery intensive care unit.

The results suggest that prior administration of vancomycin, especially in the patient who develops nosocomial infection, can influence the acquisition of vancomycin-resistant enterococci and that VAREC may be transmitted from patient to patient. Using a modification of the standard infection control practice of isolation, we were able to control the spread of this resistant strain of E faecium.