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Surgical wound infections: an overview.

There have been three major avenues by which control over infection has been increased: (1) Preservation of host defenses, (2) antisepsis and (3) asepsis. Despite the major successes we have had, infection remains the major limitor of surgical horizons. Asepsis, the newest but long the mainstay of infection control, has probably been developed to nearly its greatest capacity. Its forefronts lie in laminar flow ventilation, ultraviolet radiation and operating theater design, all expensive and relatively inefficient. Cost and the problem of endogenous bacteria limit further advances. Antisepsis, including preventive antibiotics, is also reaching its zenith. Resistant organisms, toxicity and cost limit further applications. We desperately need a "social contract" among surgeons to limit, by defined rules, the choice of agent, the total dose and the indications for use. Controlled studies of the effects of "preventive antibiotics" on hospital ecology and infection are needed. A return to antiseptics is being and should be explored. Preservation and enhancement of host defenses is the oldest but the most neglected of these ideas. It appears to be the most exploitable now. Enhancement by nutrition, maintenance of tissue perfusion, oxygenation and immune stimulation appear to have contributed to reduction of infection rates. More success in this area seems distinctly possible.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

Catheter manipulations and the risk of catheter-associated bloodstream infection in neonatal intensive care unit patients.

A prospective cohort study was performed to evaluate the influence of catheter manipulations on catheter associated bloodstream infection (CABSI) in neonates. Neonates admitted between 1 November 1993 and 31 October 1994 at the neonatal intensive care unit of a university hospital were included in the study. Seventeen episodes of CABSI occurred in 357 central catheters over a period of 3470 catheter-days, with a cumulative incidence of 4.7/100 catheters and an incidence density of 4.9/1000 catheter-days. Patient and catheter-related risk factors independently associated with CABSI were: catheter hub colonization (odds ratio [OR] = 32.6, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 4.3-249), extremely low weight (</= 1000 gram) at time of catheter insertion (OR = 9.1, 95% CI = 1.9-42.2). Catheter manipulations independently associated with CABSI were disinfection of the catheter hub (OR = 1.2, 95% CI = 1.1-1.3), blood sampling (OR = 1.4, 95% CI = 1.1-1.8), heparinization (OR = 0.9, 95% CI = 0.8-1.0) and antisepsis of exit site (OR = 0.9, 95% CI = 0.8-1.0). This study indicates that certain manipulations (e.g. blood sampling through the central line) and disconnection of the central venous catheter, which necessitates disinfection of the catheter hub, increase the risk of CABSI, while other procedures (e.g. heparinization and exit site antisepsis), protect against CABSI in neonates.

Analysis of Variance↗

Expectations and perceptions of Greek patients regarding the quality of dental health care.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the perceptions and expectations of patients regarding the quality of dental health care they received and the criteria they used to select a dentist. DESIGN: Descriptive study. METHODS: Two questionnaires referring to the expectations and the perceptions of dental health care were handed to patients. Likert-type scales were used to evaluate the characteristics examined. These characteristics have been classified in four quality dimensions: 'assurance', 'empathy', 'reliability' and 'responsiveness'. STUDY PARTICIPANTS AND SETTING: Two hundred consecutive patients who visited the Dental Clinic of the School of Dentistry, University of Athens, Greece, in 1998-1999. RESULTS: The patients' top priority was adherence to the rules of antisepsis and sterilization. Women of the middle and lower socio-economic groups were more demanding than men of the same groups, while men of the upper socio-economic group appeared to be more demanding than women (P = 0.02). Their perceptions of the dental service provided reflected their satisfaction regarding the adherence to the rules of antisepsis and sterilization, but also showed their moderate satisfaction regarding most of the other characteristics and their dissatisfaction regarding information on oral health and hygiene. CONCLUSION: Expectations and demands regarding empathy (approach to the patient) and assurance were placed at the top of the patients' priorities. A highly significant quality gap was observed between the desires of the patients and their perceptions (P< 0.01) and the largest gap was noted concerning information they received about oral health diseases. The largest quality gap was also observed in characteristics regarding responsiveness.

Adolescent↗

Antibiotic prophylaxis in vascular surgery.

Preoperative and intraoperative antibiotic prophylaxis of infection in peripheral vascular surgery has been widely used although controlled studies have been lacking. A randomized, a prospective, double-blind study of cefazolin versus placebo during 565 arterial reconstructive operations was performed at this hospital from February 1976 through August 1977. Among the 462 patients undergoing surgery of the abdominal aorta and lower extremity vasculature, there was a highly significant difference in the infection rates: 6.8% for placebo recipients versus 0.9% for cefazolin recipients (p less than .001). Of the 18 infections, four involved vascular grafts and all four graft infections occurred in the placebo group. Over 8% of abdominal wounds of patients receiving placebo became infected versus 1.2% of cefazolin patients (p less than .05). Groin wounds were infected infrequently, 1.1% for placebo patients versus none for cefazolin patients. No infections occurred among 103 brachiocephalic procedures. Skin antisepsis was analyzed retrospectively. Infection rates were significantly higher (p less than .01) following hexachlorophene-ethanol versus a povidone-iodine skin preparation. Adverse effects of cefazolin were carefully monitored: no rash, phlebitis, or emergence of resistant strains was observed. A breif perioperative course of cefazolin and povidone-iodine skin antisepsis are recommended in vascular reconstructive surgery of the abdominal aorta and lower extremity vasculature.

Antisepsis↗

Prevention of catheter-associated urinary tract infection by meatal disinfection.

The incidence of catheter-associated urinary tract infections (UTIs) becomes higher with prolongation of the indwelling period of a catheter. As to the entry of bacteria, ascending UTIs have now attracted attention. In the present study. the metal area was examined bacteriologically and the possibility to use antiseptics for blocking the route of developing infections was investigated. The subjects included 72 patients with an indwelling, urethral catheter inserted post-operatively. These patients were divided into three groups treated with once or twice daily application of povidone-iodine or once daily application of povidone-iodine cream. In these groups, the relation between changes in isolation of bacteria from the meatal area and the incidence of UTI was evaluated. It was found that reduction in bacterial count by antisepsis is effective to prevent ascending UTIs. Moreover, once daily application of povidone-iodine was proven to be effective in male patients. The effective antisepsis in females was twice daily application of povidone-iodine.

Anti-Infective Agents, Local↗

Guidelines for the prevention of intravascular catheter-related infections. The Hospital Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee, Center for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.

These guidelines have been developed for practitioners who insert catheters and for persons responsible for surveillance and control of infections in hospital, outpatient, and home health-care settings. This report was prepared by a working group comprising members from professional organizations representing the disciplines of critical care medicine, infectious diseases, health-care infection control, surgery, anesthesiology, interventional radiology, pulmonary medicine, pediatric medicine, and nursing. The working group was led by the Society of Critical Care Medicine (SCCM), in collaboration with the Infectious Disease Society of America (IDSA), Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA), Surgical Infection Society (SIS), American College of Chest Physicians (ACCP), American Thoracic Society (ATS), American Society of Critical Care Anesthesiologists (ASCCA), Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), Infusion Nurses Society (INS), Oncology Nursing Society (ONS), Society of Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiology (SCVIR), American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and is intended to replace the Guideline for Prevention of Intravascular Device-Related Infections published in 1996. These guidelines are intended to provide evidence-based recommendations for preventing catheter-related infections. Major areas of emphasis include 1) educating and training health-care providers who insert and maintain catheters; 2) using maximal sterile barrier precautions during central venous catheter insertion; 3) using a 2% chlorhexidine preparation for skin antisepsis; 4) avoiding routine replacement of central venous catheters as a strategy to prevent infection; and 5) using antiseptic/antibiotic impregnated short-term central venous catheters if the rate of infection is high despite adherence to other strategies (ie, education and training, maximal sterile barrier precautions, and 2% chlorhexidine for skin antisepsis). These guidelines also identify performance indicators that can be used locally by health-care institutions or organizations to monitor their success in implementing these evidence-based recommendations.

Adult↗

Skin preparation in the surgical patient.

A historical review of skin antisepsis is given. Current practices, rationales for skin antisepsis as a segment of total wound care, and bacteriological factors are discussed. The results of a telephone survey of current practices of 16 medical centers around the country are presented. Discussion and conclusions relative to survey results and skin care agents are given. Characteristics of an ideal skin preparation yet to be obtained and some common myths relating to this subject are discussed.

Antisepsis↗

Efficacy and local tolerability of povidone iodine and octenidine hydrochloride solution for the antiseptic preparation of the orificium urethrae.

In a randomized clinical study, 61 hospitalized men were examined to test the local tolerability and antimicrobial efficacy of antiseptic treatment of the genitals with povidone iodine versus octenidine hydrochloride solution. Antibacterial efficacy was established by comparing the total aerobic bacterial colony count from standardized swabs from the orificium urethrae externum before, immediately after, and 30 and 60 min after antisepsis. Tolerability was assessed by dermatoscopy, applying a scale to rate the criteria of reddening, erosions and microbleeding. pH-value was taken and the nitracin yellow test carried out at several intervals. Patients assessed sensations (itching, burning, warmth, cold tension) in visual analogue scales. The test for equivalence in efficacy of both antiseptic agents produced no significant result (P = 0.3). The sum score of tolerability produced a better result for povidone iodine. In addition, the drop in the pH value after observed antisepsis with povidone iodine provides an additional protective mechanism against bacterial colonization.

Administration, Cutaneous↗

Disinfection and sterilization practices in Mexico.

We evaluated antisepsis, disinfection, and sterilization procedures at 22 hospitals in the state of Yucatan, Mexico, which provide services for approximately 80% of the population. The percentage of hospitals that followed standard recommendations for diverse antisepsis procedures were as follows: surgical scrub, 41%; surgical site preparation, 68%; central intravenous (iv) catheters, 61%; peripheral iv catheters, 86%; urinary catheters, 41%, and umbilical cord care, 5%. Inappropriate procedures typically involved the use of benzalkonium chloride and mercury compounds. Adequate sterilization procedures were observed for sharp surgical instruments in 9%, for blunt surgical instruments in 81%; for linen in 90%; for surgical brushes in 9%; for metal prostheses in 100%; for plastic prostheses in 57%; and for disinfection of endoscopes in 30%. The most common errors were the use of too short an exposure time in steam sterilizers or dry heat sterilizers, and the use of benzalkonium chloride as a sterilizing agent. Only 14% of hospitals used commercial spore preparations for autoclave monitoring. For the reuse of disposables, 50-94% of hospitals employed inappropriate sterilization or low-level disinfection procedures. Similar conditions are likely to exist in hospitals throughout the country. The establishment of strict regulations and hospital training programmes for disinfection and sterilization procedures, and the reuse of disposable devices is urgently needed in Mexico.

Cross Infection↗

Translating evidence into practice to prevent central venous catheter-associated bloodstream infections: a systems-based intervention.

BACKGROUND: The central venous catheter (CVC) is a necessary, yet inherently risky, modern medical device. We aimed to carry out a systems-based intervention designed to facilitate the use of maximal sterile barrier precautions and the use of chlorhexidine for skin antisepsis during insertion of CVC. METHODS: All patients in whom a CVC was inserted at a medical-surgical intensive care unit at a university-affiliated public hospital were included in a before-after trial. The standard CVC kit in routine use before the intervention included a small sterile drape (24" by 36") and 10% povidone-iodine for skin antisepsis. We special ordered a customized kit that, instead, included a large sterile drape (41" by 55") and 2% chlorhexidine gluconate in 70% isopropyl alcohol. Both the standard kit in use before the intervention and the customized kit included identical CVCs. Baseline data included the quarterly CVC-associated bloodstream infection (BSI) rates during the 15 months before the intervention. Comparison data included the quarterly CVC-associated BSI rates during the 15 months after we instituted exclusive use of the customized kit. RESULTS: The mean quarterly CVC-associated BSI rate decreased from a baseline of 11.3 per 1000 CVC-days before the intervention to 3.7 per 1000 CVC-days after the intervention (P < .01). Assuming direct costs of at least 10,000 dollars per CVC-associated BSI, we calculated resultant annualized savings to the hospital of approximately 350,000 dollars. CONCLUSION: Infection control interventions that rely on voluntary changes in human behavior, despite the best intentions of us all, are often unsuccessful. We have demonstrated that a systems-based intervention led to a sustained decrease in the CVC-associated BSI rate, thereby resulting in improved patient safety and decreased cost of care.

Bacteremia↗

Hand hygiene and skin health.

The high rate of hand problems associated with the hand hygiene of medical professions is due to a combination of damaging factors: (1) the removal of barrier lipids by detergent cleaning and alcohol antisepsis followed by a loss of moisturizers and stratum corneum water and (2) the overhydration of the stratum corneum by sweat trapped within gloves. Together the facilitate the invasion of irritants and allergens which elicit inflammatory responses in the dermis. Among the lipids and water-soluble substances removed are natural antibacterials. Their loss leads to increased growth of transient and pathogenic micro-organisms which jeapordizes the very intention of skin hygiene. The kinetics of damage and its repair, and epidemiological evidence suggest that modern synthetic detergents as used in foaming liquid cleansers are the major offender. Conversely, the replacement of detergents with non-detergent emulsion cleansers has been shown to be effective in reducing the prevalence of hand problems among hospital staff. Presently recommended hand antisepsis reduces the risks to patients, but puts the burden on the health care provider. Rather than fighting micro-organisms at the expense of the skin's health, the skin and its own defences should be considered a collaborator in combating infectious diseases.

Detergents↗

Povidone-iodine in the treatment of burn patients.

The improvement in infusion therapy of burn patients in the last decades has led to a marked reduction of the early mortality rate and to an increase in the importance of severe wound infection and septicaemia. For the control of infection, detailed bacteriological monitoring is recommended. The main therapeutic fields for prevention of infection are: immunotherapy, antisepsis, aseptic techniques, and rapid restoration of the destroyed body surface. The most important part of antisepsis in burns is topical treatment. The good bacteriological and clinical results with povidone-iodine (PVP-I), in combination with open treatment are described. A possible disadvantage of this therapy was the extensive iodine resorption. However, no disorders of thyroid function were revealed, and the TRH test indicated no abnormal reactions of the hypothalamus-pituitary axis. The high serum and urine iodine levels returned rapidly to normal after discontinuing the PVP-I application.

Adolescent↗

Guidelines for the prevention of intravascular catheter-related infections.

BACKGROUND: Although many catheter-related bloodstream infections (CR-BSIs) are preventable, measures to reduce these infections are not uniformly implemented. OBJECTIVE: To update an existing evidenced-based guideline that promotes strategies to prevent CR-BSIs. DATA SOURCES: The MEDLINE database, conference proceedings, and bibliographies of review articles and book chapters were searched for relevant articles.Studies Included: Laboratory-based studies, controlled clinical trials, prospective interventional trials, and epidemiological investigations. OUTCOME MEASURES: Reduction in CR-BSI, catheter colonization, or catheter-related infection. SYNTHESIS: The recommended preventive strategies with the strongest supportive evidence are education and training of healthcare providers who insert and maintain catheters; maximal sterile barrier precautions during central venous catheter insertion; use of a 2% chlorhexidine preparation for skin antisepsis; no routine replacement of central venous catheters for prevention of infection; and use of antiseptic/antibiotic impregnated short-term central venous catheters if the rate of infection is high despite adherence to other strategies (i.e. education and training, maximal sterile barrier precautions and 2% chlorhexidine for skin antisepsis). CONCLUSION: Successful implementation of these evidence-based interventions can reduce the risk for serious catheter-related infection.

Adolescent↗

Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Health-Care Settings. Recommendations of the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee and the HIPAC/SHEA/APIC/IDSA Hand Hygiene Task Force.

The Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Health-Care Settings provides health-care workers (HCWs) with a review of data regarding handwashing and hand antisepsis in health-care settings. In addition, it provides specific recommendations to promote improved hand-hygiene practices and reduce transmission of pathogenic microorganisms to patients and personnel in health-care settings. This report reviews studies published since the 1985 CDC guideline (Garner JS, Favero MS. CDC guideline for handwashing and hospital environmental control, 1985. Infect Control 1986;7:231-43) and the 1995 APIC guideline (Larson EL, APIC Guidelines Committee. APIC guideline for handwashing and hand antisepsis in health care settings. Am J Infect Control 1995;23:251-69) were issued and provides an in-depth review of hand-hygiene practices of HCWs, levels of adherence of personnel to recommended handwashing practices, and factors adversely affecting adherence. New studies of the in vivo efficacy of alcohol-based hand rubs and the low incidence of dermatitis associated with their use are reviewed. Recent studies demonstrating the value of multidisciplinary hand-hygiene promotion programs and the potential role of alcohol-based hand rubs in improving hand-hygiene practices are summarized. Recommendations concerning related issues (e.g., the use of surgical hand antiseptics, hand lotions or creams, and wearing of artificial fingernails) are also included.

Alcohols↗

Guidelines for the prevention of intravascular catheter-related infections.

BACKGROUND: Although many catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) are preventable, measures to reduce these infections are not uniformly implemented. OBJECTIVE: To update an existing evidenced-based guideline that promotes strategies to prevent CRBSIs. DATA SOURCES: The MEDLINE database, conference proceedings, and bibliographies of review articles and book chapters were searched for relevant articles. STUDIES INCLUDED: Laboratory-based studies, controlled clinical trials, prospective interventional trials, and epidemiologic investigations. OUTCOME MEASURES: Reduction in CRBSI, catheter colonization, or catheter-related infection. SYNTHESIS: The recommended preventive strategies with the strongest supportive evidence are education and training of healthcare providers who insert and maintain catheters; maximal sterile barrier precautions during central venous catheter insertion; use of a 2% chlorhexidine preparation for skin antisepsis; no routine replacement of central venous catheters for prevention of infection; and use of antiseptic/antibiotic-impregnated short-term central venous catheters if the rate of infection is high despite adherence to other strategies (ie, education and training, maximal sterile barrier precautions, and 2% chlorhexidine for skin antisepsis). CONCLUSION: Successful implementation of these evidence-based interventions can reduce the risk for serious catheter-related infection.

Adult↗

Alcohol-based handrub: evaluation of technique and microbiological efficacy with international infection control professionals.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has published a new guideline on hand hygiene promoting the use of the alcohol-based handrub, but the technique was not addressed. The goal of this study was to evaluate the influence of technique on the efficacy of the alcohol-based handrub. PARTICIPANTS: Healthcare workers (HCWs) attending a course in hospital epidemiology. METHODS: A fluorescent dye was added to a hand antiseptic, and hands were checked under ultraviolet light after antiseptic cleansing. Data regarding the numbers of predefined fluorescent areas on the skin were collected in addition to demographic data such as age, gender, job description, and job experience. Results of the visualization test were compared with the data from microbiological samples before and after the procedure by the hand plate technique. RESULTS: Sixty HCWs were tested, 63% of whom had worked in infection control for more than 10 years. Sixty-six percent of all participants still had detectable bacteria after antisepsis. The mean log10 CFU reduction was 2.0 (range, 0-3.85). Twenty-five percent of all HCWs achieved less than 1.1 log10 CFU. Staphylococcus aureus was isolated from 13% (one of them being methicillin resistant) and gram-negative bacilli from 6.7%. After using the alcohol handrub, one subject still remained positive for S. aureus. Years of experience was the single most important factor predicting antimicrobial efficacy. CONCLUSIONS: Technique is of crucial importance in hand antisepsis. Major deficiencies were detected among even highly trained HCWs. Training should be provided before switching from handwashing to the alcohol handrub

Adult↗

Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Health-Care Settings: recommendations of the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee and the HICPAC/SHEA/APIC/IDSA Hand Hygiene Task Force.

The Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Health-Care Settings provides health-care workers (HCWs) with a review of data regarding handwashing and hand antisepsis in health-care settings. In addition, it provides specific recommendations to promote improved hand-hygiene practices and reduce transmission of pathogenic microorganisms to patients and personnel in health-care settings. This report reviews studies published since the 1985 CDC guideline (Garner JS, Favero MS. CDC guideline for handwashing and hospital environmental control, 1985. Infect Control 1986;7:231-43) and the 1995 APIC guideline (Larson EL, APIC Guidelines Committee. APIC guideline for handwashing and hand antisepsis in health care settings. Am J Infect Control 1995;23:251-69) were issued and provides an in-depth review of hand-hygiene practices of HCWs, levels of adherence of personnel to recommended handwashing practices, and factors adversely affecting adherence. New studies of the in vivo efficacy of alcohol-based hand rubs and the low incidence of dermatitis associated with their use are reviewed. Recent studies demonstrating the value of multidisciplinary hand-hygiene promotion programs and the potential role of alcohol-based hand rubs in improving hand-hygiene practices are summarized. Recommendations concerning related issues (e.g., the use of surgical hand antiseptics, hand lotions or creams, and wearing of artificial fingernails) are also included.

Alcohols↗

Reproducibility and workability of the European test standard EN 12791 regarding the effectiveness of surgical hand antiseptics: a randomized, multicenter trial.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the reproducibility and workability of the in vivo test model of the European test standard EN 12791 regarding the effectiveness of surgical hand antiseptics and, as a secondary objective, to evaluate the power of the model to discriminate between the effectiveness of various formulations of surgical hand antiseptics. DESIGN: Prospective, randomized, multicenter study with a Latin square design. SETTING: Five laboratories at 2 universities, 2 disinfectant manufacturers, and 1 private testing institution. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty healthy adults in each laboratory. INTERVENTION: Surgical hand antisepsis was performed by scrubbing with chlorhexidine gluconate 4% detergent (CHG) or by rubbing the hands with propan-2-OL (70% by volume; Iso 70) or ethanol 85% (E 85); rubbing the hands and forearms for 3 minutes with propan-1-OL (N 60) was used as the reference disinfection procedure. We deliberately chose to use these antiseptics at the given concentrations because they were intended to cover the range of typical antiseptics submitted for approval according to EN 12791. METHODS: In once-weekly tests, the immediate effects of the 4 antiseptics were established according to the method laid down in EN 12791 by assessing the release of skin flora from the fingertips as viable bacteria counts per milliliter of sampling fluids before treatment and viable bacteria counts immediately after treatment, separately for both hands, such that after 4 weeks each volunteer had used every formulation once. RESULTS: The mean log reduction factor (RF) for the release of bacterial skin flora (the log RF was calculated as the log count before treatment minus the log count after treatment) and corresponding standard deviations for the 4 hand antisepsis formulations were as follows: for CHG, 1.1+/-0.3 colony-forming units (cfu) per milliliter of sampled fluid; for Iso 70, 1.7+/-0.3 cfu/mL; for E 85, 2.1+/-0.3 cfu/mL; and for N 60, 2.4+/-0.4 cfu/mL. The differences between these values proved significant (P<.001) by analysis of variance and in Tukey's "honestly significantly different" (HSD) post hoc test. Although, with regard to their immediate antibacterial activity, the same ranking of these antiseptics was found at all laboratories, the levels of efficacy were significantly different across laboratories (P<.001); no statistical difference was found between left and right hands (P>.01). Relating the log RF values of the other 3 formulations to those of the reference formulation (N 60) abolished differences between laboratories (P=.16); in addition, the interclass correlation coefficient decreased from 9.1% to 4.5%. With 20 volunteers, a minimum difference of 0.47 log between the mean log RFs of the reference formulation and an inferior test formulation will be detected as significant at an alpha of .05 (1-sided) and a 1- beta value of .8. CONCLUSION: The test method described in EN 12791 yielded the same conclusion on the effectiveness of the tested formulations in every laboratory and proved, therefore, reproducible and workable.

2-Propanol↗