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Use of in-house studies of molecular epidemiology and full species identification for controlling spread of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis isolates.

Infection with multidrug-resistant (MDR) organisms is a major clinical challenge, and few, if any, therapeutic options remain available. Increasingly, infection control measures have taken on greater importance in preventing the nosocomial transmission of MDR organisms. During December 1994 and January 1995, we identified a cluster of vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis isolates involving 16 patients situated in different areas of our university-affiliated teaching hospital. Initial review of laboratory requisition forms for the patients' locations revealed no common association, suggesting that the occurrence was not due to horizontal spread. However, using genomic DNA extraction, restriction enzyme analysis, and gel electrophoresis, we found that 12 patients were infected with isolates originating from a single clone, 2 other patients were infected with isolates from a different clone, and the remaining 2 patients were infected with unique strains. Because the typing data suggested nosocomial spread, chart review was undertaken to determine a possible common exposure source. With three exceptions, clonal isolates were linked to patient movement between surgical floors, intensive care units, and a rehabilitation unit. A detailed review of patient records revealing the association would not have been performed without realization of clonality. Thus, the data demonstrate the utility of genomic typing for epidemiological purposes. In turn, targeted infection control measures that halted the spread of the potentially lethal MDR pathogen were instituted.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Antibiotic prophylaxis for infantile pyloromyotomy.

A retrospective study of 50 patients with infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) showed wound infection in six patients. In an attempt to assess the value of antibiotic prophylaxis in infantile pyloromyotomy 150 patients with infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis were entered in a prospective randomized controlled study. The infants were allocated to receive a dose of Cefuroxime (30 mg/kg) at induction of anaesthesia or no antibiotic. Eight infants developed wound infection, five in the control group and three in the antibiotic prophylaxis group. Although the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant there was an overall reduction of wound infection (6.5%) compared with pre-trial figures (12%). In order to study the bacterial flora in the umbilicus in these infants, culture swabs were taken from the umbilicus on admission, immediately prior to surgery and from the wound prior to skin closure. It was shown that the umbilicus was not the source of infection.

Antibiotic Prophylaxis↗

Criteria and benchmarks for laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a free-standing ambulatory center.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Keys to economic survival in an era of decreasing reimbursement include controlling costs and avoiding complications. In an effort to reduce costs, laparoscopic cholecystectomy has been performed with same-day discharge from a hospital setting. The free-standing ambulatory surgery center offers even greater cost savings if safety can be assured. Facility charges, surgical technique and instrument selection influence the costs of the procedure. METHODS: A database was accumulated prospectively on the first 100 laparoscopic cholecystectomies performed in a free-standing ambulatory surgery center to assess costs, logistical constraints, and safety. RESULTS: Laparoscopic cholecystectomies were accomplished in 99 of 100 patients. One patient was suspected of having cancer during laparoscopy and was transferred to a nearby hospital for open cholecystectomy. There were no other postoperative hospitalizations for complications. The fixed facility charge for the procedure was $2,990, and the total costs for all routinely disposable items (gowns, gloves, instruments, and adhesive bandages was $98. The mean OR time was 29 minutes (standard deviation 13.7). CONCLUSIONS: The free-standing ambulatory surgery center is an appropriate facility for an experienced operating team to perform laparoscopic cholecystectomy in selected patients. The surgeon's selection of appropriate energy sources and instruments is essential to complete the operation in a most cost-effective manner.

Adult↗

Innovation in surgery: the rules of evidence.

The intellectual infrastructures of evidence-based medicine (EBM) are the levels of evidence and the grades of recommendation for the following types of research articles: therapy/prevention, etiology/harm, prognosis, diagnosis, differential diagnosis/symptom prevalence study, economic analysis/decision analysis. The levels of evidence for therapy (1 to 5) progress from systematic reviews (with homogeneity) of randomized control trials (RCT) of high quality, level 1, to level 5-expert opinion without explicit critical appraisal, or based on physiology, bench research, or "first principles." The grades of recommendation (A, B, C, D) are founded on the quality of the evidence defined by its level. These grades are aimed at helping clinicians understand the source from whence came statements in, for example, guidelines. The development of surgical procedures and their introduction into practice has not depended upon the RCT but rather upon an enthusiast performing a case series, sometimes with clearly defined results. Should all operations and procedures be evaluated by an RCT? Clearly not, and the levels of evidence support this quite clearly with the "all or none" research category as level 1c. This relates to frequent clinical situations requiring a solution often immediate, eg, pus, a ruptured aneurysm, a sucking chest wound, that do not lend themselves to a trial, as the control regimen (doing nothing) would lead to death. Techniques evolve with experience usually based on an understanding of pathophysiology. At what point should an RCT enter into the resolution of surgical therapies? Can observational studies correctly designed and carried out do the job? Two new study classifications have been introduced: in level 1, category c "all or none" studies; and in level 2, category c "outcomes" research. In neither is there much definition. Are these the areas into which the evaluation of new surgical procedures and technology should be placed? The surgical community is faced with dramatic changes in technology and evolving techniques, and needs to define the rules of evidence applicable to their discipline with the same rigor that the EBM gurus have used, in order for surgeons to define evidence-based surgical practice.

Evidence-Based Medicine↗

Control of an outbreak of multi-drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in an intensive care unit and a surgical ward.

We describe an outbreak of multi-drug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MRAB) that occurred in an intensive care unit (ICU) and a surgical ward from December 2003 to March 2004. Mapping patient movements on a timeline indicated that the outbreak was confined to these two areas. Investigation by the hospital's infection prevention service found that a possible source of spread was improper cleaning methods used on respiratory equipment. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis analysis of available isolates indicated the presence of two distinct strains. One strain was seen in patients from the ICU and the other strain was seen in the surgical ward patients. Cleaning and environmental decontamination as well as staff education were implemented to halt further immediate spread. The deficiencies identified during the investigation were also resolved. The final outcome was the successful termination of this outbreak.

Acinetobacter Infections↗

Surgery and complementary therapies: a review.

The incorporation of complementary therapies into the surgical setting has been slow compared to that of other areas of conventional medicine. This paper summarizes the available information on complementary therapies in surgery from a broad range of sources in the medical literature. The effects of psychological distress on the surgical patient and potential relief from that distress by such methods as relaxation techniques, hypnosis, suggestion, and imagery, as well as the role of coping style and locus of control on choice of therapy are reviewed. The role of acupuncture, music, massage therapy, therapeutic touch, and Reiki, as well as the use of herbs and supplements in modifying surgical outcome, is explored.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

Local recurrence of soft tissue sarcoma. A Scandinavian Sarcoma Group Project.

The aim of this project was to investigate the diagnosis, treatment and consequences of local recurrence of soft tissue sarcoma (STS). It is based on patients reported to the Karolinska Hospital Sarcoma Register and the Scandinavian Sarcoma Group Register. Demographic and treatment data, based on 1613 adult patients reported to the Scandinavian Sarcoma Group Register by sarcoma centers in Norway, Sweden and Finland are presented. They all had STS of the extremities or trunk wall, and were diagnosed between 1986 and 1995. One third of the tumors were subcutaneous and two thirds deep-seated. The median size was 7 (1-35) cm and 75% were high grade. Metastases at presentation were diagnosed in 8% of the patients. Two thirds of the patients were referred to a sarcoma center before surgery. The preoperative morphologic diagnosis was made by fine-needle aspiration cytology in 72%. Among patients with final treatment for primary tumor at a sarcoma center (n = 1331), the surgical margins were wide or better in 76% of subcutaneous lesions, and in 58% of deep-seated lesions. Adjuvant radiotherapy has not generally been considered indicated after wide or compartmental excisions in Scandinavia. Overall, 23% of patients managed by surgery had adjuvant radiotherapy. Among patients with an intralesional or marginal excision, 44% had postoperative radiotherapy. Patients treated outside of sarcoma centers were seldom referred for radiotherapy. The crude local recurrence rate was 225/1331 (17%) among the patients with final treatment for primary tumor at a sarcoma center. The local recurrence rate after local surgery for high-malignant deep-seated STS was 103/391 (26%). The rate was 25/64 (39%) after an intralesional/marginal margin without postoperative radiotherapy versus 28/119 (24%) when radiotherapy was given. Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) was used to diagnose suspected local recurrences. 95 FNAC were performed in 86 patients from Karolinska Hospital. There were 47 local recurrences, of which 44 were diagnosed correctly by FNAC; one biopsy was inconclusive, and two lesions were incorrectly assessed as benign. 39 patients proved to have benign lesions in the scar examined cytologically on 50 occasions. None of the specimens was regarded as malignant, but in 4 cases FNAC was inconclusive. The inconclusive or false cytological diagnoses had no serious clinical consequences. Among 205 patients with local recurrence identified in the SSG Register 1987-1995, 169 patients were surgically treated. An intralesional or marginal margin was achieved in 110 of these patients, 59 of whom were also given radiotherapy. 54 of the 169 patients had a second local recurrence. The second local recurrence rate was 0.50 if the first local recurrence was treated using surgery with a marginal margin alone, compared to 0.28 if treated using either surgery with a marginal margin and radiotherapy, or a wide margin (p = 0.0008). In extremity STS, the amputation rate for local recurrences was 0.22, compared to 0.09 for primary tumors. The overall 5-year MFS was 0.72 (95% CI 0.68-0.76). High histopathological malignancy grade (Relative Risk 3.0; 95% CI 1.5-6.3) and an inadequate surgical margin (2.9; 95% CI 1.8-4.6) were independent risk factors for local recurrence. High histopathological malignancy grade and large tumor size (> 7 cm) were the most important risk factors for metastasis. Local recurrence was associated with an increased risk of metastasis (4.4; 95% CI 2.9-6.8), but an inadequate surgical margin was not a risk factor for metastasis (1.1; 95% CI 0.8-1.7). In conclusion, it is unlikely that local recurrence of STS is a major source of metastases. It nevertheless represents a costly, complicated and emotionally difficult problem. More radical surgical margins would improve the local recurrence rate, but this can hardly be achieved for center-operated patients without increasing the amputation rate. Instead, local control will improve by giving radiotherapy to all patients after marginal surgery, and to selected patients with wide margins. Radiotherapy is indicated especially after a previous open biopsy or when a local recurrence might lead to an amputation. Furthermore, radiotherapy seems indicated after local recurrence, regardless of margin or grade. The most effective way of reducing costs and detriment associated with local recurrence is to increase referral to sarcoma centers before biopsy or surgery as primary surgical margins would then improve.

Adolescent↗

[Risk prevention of transmissible subacute spongiform encephalopathies].

The risk assessment of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs or prion diseases) can be managed at three levels: 1. control of source material that could be potentially infected (biological products of human or animal origin, instruments in contact with these products); 2. control of the processes for the purification of biological products and instrument decontamination techniques; 3. evaluation of invasive medical or surgical acts. Highest infectivity is found in central nervous system. TSE agents do resist to almost all usual decontamination procedures. National recommended procedures include sodium hypochlorite 18,500 ppm or sodium hydroxide 1N for 1 hour and autoclaving at at least 134 degrees C for at least 18 min.

Caustics↗

[Prosthetic possibilities after amputations in the upper extremities].

Whereas passive prostheses are fitted onto the patient after the amputation of an arm, hand or finger and are mostly cosmetic in function, active prostheses have much more potential. They can transform the movements of other body regions to movement in the artificial limb. Belts or harnesses, for example, effect the direct transfer of the power from the muscle to the prosthesis. The range of movement possible depends upon the level of the amputation, the length of the residual limb, the age of the patient, his body build and fitness. Myoelectrically controlled prostheses possess their own drive and power source. They control movement through the electrical action potentials of the residual limb muscles, which are detected, amplified and transmitted with help of electrodes.

Amputation, Surgical↗

Hyperglycemia in the hospital setting: the case for improved control among non-diabetics.

OBJECTIVE: To review studies on the role of hyperglycemia in acutely ill adults, regardless of diabetes diagnosis, and the impact of glucose control on health outcomes. DATA SOURCES: Searches on Ovid MEDLINE, Ovid Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM), and PubMed MEDLINE, limited to articles written in English, trials conducted on adult subjects, and material published between 1994 and April 2004. Search words included the major MeSH term hyperglycemia and title words glucose, hyperglycemia/hyperglycemic, or insulin therapy, with text words admission, hospitalized, in-hospital, or inpatient. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: All articles identified from the data sources were evaluated, and all information deemed relevant was included in this review. DATA SYNTHESIS: Hyperglycemia, even in patients without diabetes, has been shown to be detrimental among inpatients in medical and surgical units, as well as in critical care. A review of 25 outcomes studies indicated that the majority of research on this topic used retrospective or prospective cohort designs; only 2 were conducted as randomized controlled studies. In general, the findings demonstrated negative impact on outcomes among various patient populations with hyperglycemia including increased lengths of stay, health complications, utilization of resources, and risk of mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Studies report that hyperglycemia is a common but detrimental condition and that better control in the hospital setting decreases short- and long-term risk of mortality, illness complications, hospital lengths of stay, and healthcare costs. Increased efforts to treat hyperglycemia and screen for diabetes are needed in the hospital setting. Future studies on cost-effective approaches to glucose control are recommended.

Cardiovascular Diseases↗

Nosocomial outbreaks: the Centers for Disease Control's Hospital Infections Program experience, 1980-1990. Epidemiology Branch, Hospital Infections Program.

From January 1980 to July 1990, the Hospital Infections Program of the Centers for Disease Control conducted 125 on-site epidemiologic investigations of nosocomial outbreaks. Seventy-seven (62%) were caused by bacterial pathogens, 11 (9%) were caused by fungi, 10 (8%) were caused by viruses, five (4%) were caused by mycobacteria, and 22 (18%) were caused by toxins or other organisms. The majority of fungi and mycobacterial outbreaks occurred since July 1985. Fourteen (11%) outbreaks were device related, 16 (13%) were procedure related, and 28 (22%) were product related. The proportion of outbreaks involving products, procedures, or devices increased from 47% during 1980-1985 to 67% between 1986 and July 1990. Recent outbreaks have shown that packed red blood cell transfusion-associated Yersinia enterocolitica sepsis results from contamination of the blood by the asymptomatic donor; that povidone-iodine solutions can become intrinsically contaminated and cause outbreaks of infection and/or pseudoinfection; and that rapidly growing mycobacteria can cause chronic otitis media, surgical wound infection, and hemodialysis-associated infections. These and other outbreaks demonstrate how epidemiologic and laboratory investigations can be combined to identify new pathogens and sources of infection and ultimately result in disease prevention.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.↗

Retention of clients in service under two models of home health care for HIV/AIDS.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if a Transprofessional, care-management approach (experimental group) produces different patterns of retention in home treatment as compared to a Traditional treatment approach (control group). The care-management approach utilizes an interdisciplinary mix of allied health professionals who adhere to a service delivery protocol based on active medical, surgical treatment (curative services) as well as on pain, symptoms, and emotional care (palliative services). Initially, the Transprofessional Model should lead to a greater retention rate in the program as patients bond to blended care managers, but in later stages clients needing hospice should be moved off-services resulting in lower retention rates in the medical-surgical home care venue. DATA SOURCES AND STUDY SETTING: Data were collected from 549 AIDS patients admitted for medical/surgical home-care services to the Visiting Nurse Association of Los Angeles (VNA-LA). Demographic and disease-specific data were collected from admitting records; service-utilization data were collected from the VNA-LA's computerized data system. STUDY DESIGN: Upon admission for home-care services, patients were randomly assigned to an experimental (Transprofessional) or control (Traditional) treatment group. Service levels were comparable. PRIMARY FINDING: In the earliest stages, Transprofessional patients tend to be more likely to stay in treatment, probably due to the greater bonding to the program. After about one year, the Transprofessional patients are more likely to leave the program as they are transitioned into hospice care. CONCLUSIONS: An integrated model of service delivery, which is based on interdisciplinary care-management and blended modalities of service, provides a quality of life enhancing and a cost-effective method in the provision of home-care services for terminally ill AIDS patients.

Continuity of Patient Care↗

The management of patients with arteriovenous malformations and associated intracranial aneurysms.

OBJECTIVE: Few published studies have focused specifically on the unique management issues encountered in treating patients with arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) and associated intracranial aneurysms. The primary objective of this study was to retrospectively review the clinical and radiographic features of these patients. METHODS: Medical records of all patients seen at Stanford University Hospital between 1988 and 1996 with a diagnosis of AVMs were retrospectively reviewed. Aneurysms were identified by conventional angiography and characterized by size, number, and location relative to the AVMs. AVMs were graded according to the Spetzler-Martin scale. Odds ratios were calculated for the risk of intracranial hemorrhage. Variables included age, sex, number of aneurysms, and AVM grade. RESULTS: Forty-five of 600 patients (7.5%) were identified as having coexisting intracranial aneurysms. All 45 patients had high-flow malformations, and 58% had AVMs of Spetzler-Martin Grade IV or higher. A majority of patients had multiple aneurysms. There was a statistically significant increase in AVM hemorrhage in female patients (odds ratio, 8.53 [1.87-38.98]; P < 0.005). There was no statistically significant correlation between the development of hemorrhage and either age, AVM grade, or the number of aneurysms. Twenty-three patients (51%) presented with intracranial hemorrhage: bleeding occurred from the AVMs in 15 and from ruptured aneurysms in 5, and the source of the bleeding could not be determined in 3. Overall, nine patients (20%) bled from ruptured aneurysms: five at presentation, two during or within 3 weeks of AVM treatment, and two from new aneurysms. Two of these nine patients died as a direct result of aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage. Five patients (11%) developed new aneurysms. CONCLUSION: Aneurysms associated with AVMs are at risk for rupture before, during, and immediately after treatment of the AVMs. New aneurysms may arise in patients with high-flow AVMs. The risk of intracranial hemorrhage from either source is higher in female patients. To reduce the complications of intracranial hemorrhage in these patients, we recommend a management protocol designed to treat the aneurysms by surgical or endovascular means before administering definitive therapy for the AVMs. Meticulous intraoperative blood pressure control and fluid management during aneurysm surgery is critical to avoid hemorrhage from the AVMs.

Adolescent↗

The isolated perfused lung.

The unique nonrespiratory functions of the lungs have become more apparent in recent years. The isolated perfused lung model offers many advantages over other methods for the study of pulmonary metabolism, xenobiotic disposition and the influence of interactions among agents of different physical forms. Detailed descriptions of the experimental preparation are elements in evaluating and comparing data from various sources but these are frequently neglected. A discussion and critique of the following elements are provided in this review in order to elucidate the typical problems one might encounter in evaluating data: perfusate type, perfusion method, construction materials, ventilation method, temperature control, surgical procedure, microbiological contamination and evaluation criteria of the preparation. Examples are given where the IPL method has been applied and suggestions are made for future research efforts.

Air Microbiology↗

Re-exploration for hemorrhage following open heart surgery differentiation on the causes of bleeding and the impact on patient outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To differentiate surgical bleeding requiring re-exploration from postoperative coagulopathy and determine the differences in patient outcomes. METHODS: This was a retrospective chart review of 2,263 adult patients undergoing elective and emergency open heart procedures encompassing coronary artery bypass, valvular, and a combined procedure to determine the impact of source of bleeding leading to re-exploration. RESULTS: Eighty-two patients (3.6%) required re-exploration. Sixty-six percent had surgical bleeding; the remaining 34% were coagulopathic. Postoperative coagulopathy was associated with preoperative heparin use (37% vs. 19.9% for controls p<0.05). Re-operative procedures combined bypass/ valve (p<0.001) and prolonged cardiopulmonary bypass and aortic cross-clamp times (p<0.05) were more prevalent in the coagulopathy group. Postoperative inotrope use was increased in patients who were re-explored (p<0.001), as were cardiac, pulmonary, renal and abdominal complications (p<0.001), and in all cases those patients with medically related bleeding had worse acute outcomes than the group with surgical causes for re-exploration. The hospital stay was prolonged for both patients with surgical bleeding (23.5 days) and patients with coagulopathy (27.1 days) compared to patients not undergoing re-exploration for bleeding (12.0 days, p<0.001). Survival was 91.3% for patients with surgical bleeding, 87.5% for patients with coagulopathy, and 98.0% for all others (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Severe postoperative hemorrhage is associated with significant morbidity and increased mortality. Postoperative hospital stay, morbidity, and mortality were significantly worse in patients suffering from coagulopathy when compared to those patients with hemorrhage from surgical causes.

Cardiac Surgical Procedures↗

The anesthesia machine and circle system are not likely to be sources of bacterial contamination.

Patients who had upper respiratory tract gram-negative bacillary colonization and noncolonized patients were followed through surgical procedures to determine what bacterial organisms would be deposited in anesthesia apparatus. Anesthesia machines were cultured for bacteria in many locations before and after each surgical procedure. Six machines in routine operating room use were studied after use on six colonized patients and nine uncolonized patients. Sixteen corrugated tubes from unopened packages served as controls. The results indicated that the machines remained free of bacteria of patient origin. Levels of contamination were only slightly higher in the expiratory tubing, and the bacterial species most commonly recovered were environmental in origin. Even after periods of anesthetic administration as long as six hours in patients heavily colonized with gram-negative bacilli, contamination of the anesthesia apparatus with the colonizing organisms did not occur. Intentional contamination of a sterilized anesthesia machine with two gram-negative organisms confirmed the clinical observations. Analysis of oxygen and nitrous oxide gas sources for bacteria had negative results. Basic hygienic management of anesthesia machines will ensure safety from the standpoint of cross-infection.

Anesthesiology↗

Legionnaires' disease in a Johannesburg teaching hospital. Investigation and control of an outbreak.

During the period 11 November 1985 - 21 February 1986, 12 cases of Legionnaires' disease were identified at a Johannesburg teaching hospital. Only 2 patients definitely acquired the disease in hospital. Both responded well to treatment. An epidemiological investigation was initiated to determine the source of infection and mode of transmission of the causative agent (Legionella pneumophila), which may be recovered from a wide variety of water sources. Although L. pneumophila was cultured from the hospital hot-water system, there was no association between the location of patients and culture-positive water sites. Cases were clustered in the medical and surgical intensive care units. Being on a ventilator was a significant risk factor for acquiring Legionnaires' disease (relative risk 18,4; 95% confidence interval 2,4 - 142,2). The potential role of ventilators in the transmission of the disease is discussed together with the infection control measures adopted to interrupt the outbreak. To our knowledge this is the first investigation of an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease in South Africa.

Adult↗

Transmission of hepatitis C virus from a surgeon to a patient. The Incident Control Team.

An investigation was carried out to find the source of infection in a patient who developed hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection after cardiothoracic surgery, and to determine whether other patients had become infected. Virological tests on specimens from the patient and potential sources (blood donors and members of the surgical team) showed that the patient and the surgeon who acted as first assistant were infected with HCV of the same genotype: 4a. No other source of infection was identified. Ninety-one per cent (277) of the 304 other exposed patients available for follow up were tested--none had antibody to HCV. It was concluded that hepatitis C may be transmitted from surgeon to patient during exposure prone procedures, and that the transmission rate in this incident was 0.36% (1/278; 95% confidence interval 0.0061%-1.98%).

Coronary Artery Bypass↗