Clostridium Difficile Infection Rates Research Articles

P-1756. Impact of order set implementation on appropriate treatment of community acquired pneumonia (CAP)

Abstract Background The overuse and misuse of antibiotics can lead to adverse events, antibiotic resistance, and increased healthcare costs. In 2022, Ascension Borgess Hospital implemented a community acquired pneumonia (CAP) order set to help guide appropriate antimicrobial prescribing.The orderset included guideline-concordant agents and durations of therapy for CAP as well as comments empowering pharmacists to adjust total duration of therapy to account for antimicrobial doses received in the emergency department. The purpose of this study is to evaluate appropriate antimicrobial prescribing after implementing a pneumonia order set. Methods This retrospective cohort study was conducted at a 450-bed community teaching hospital. The primary objective of this study was a composite outcome of appropriate empiric antimicrobial selection, dosing, and duration in accordance with the national guidelines. Secondary outcomes include length of hospital stay (LOS), readmission rates, mortality rates and Clostridium difficile infection rates. An exploratory outcome was pre-determined to evaluate pharmacists' intervention on duration of therapy, and utilization of the order-set to prescribe antibiotics. Patients were eligible for inclusion if they were 18 years or older and treated for CAP between 10/1/2021 and 8/1/2023 Results A total of 236 patients were included (118 patients per group). Significantly more patients in the post-implementation group received guideline-concordant therapy for CAP (5.9% vs 35.6%, p< 0.001). Results were heavily influenced by improvements in appropriate durations of therapy (pre- 6.8% vs post 39.9%, p< 0.001). There were no significant differences observed for LOS, 30 day readmission rates, C. difficile infections within 30 days, or mortality rates between groups. For exploratory endpoints, the orderset was utilized in 66.1% of patients included in the post-implementation group. Additionally, pharmacists were more likely to intervene following implementation of the orderset (22.9% v 43.2%, p < 0.001), as a result of order comments and increased awareness. Conclusion Implementing a guideline concordant orderset significantly improved inpatient antibiotic prescribing for CAP with no difference in clinical or safety outcomes. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

Risk Factors for Clostridium difficile Infection in Inpatients: A Four-Year (2017–2020) Retrospective Study

Background: Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) impact on healthcare systems is concerning due to high treatment cost and increased hospitalization time. We found that the incidence rate of CDI increased annually at Taipei Medical University Hospital (TMUH). The study aimed to establish monitoring indicators for hospitalized patients receiving antibiotics to prevent CDI occurrences. Methods: A case–control study was conducted to identify the risk factors of CDI among patients who were admitted to TMUH and tested for C. difficile. Patient demographics, patient history, and laboratory data were collected and analyzed. Results: Nutrition Risk Screening 2002 score (NRS 2002) in CDI patients was significantly lower than in non-CDI patients (3.1 ± 1.7 vs. 3.5 ± 1.6). The percentage of tube feeding in CDI patients was significantly lower than in non-CDI patients (23.0% vs. 36.7%), whereas parenteral nutrition was higher (8.8% vs. 3.8%). Age (OR = 1.03, p = 0.00), NRS 2002 score (OR =0.86, p = 0.05), comorbidity with cardiovascular disease (OR = 1.73, p = 0.03) or pulmonary disease (OR = 3.72, p = 0.00), patients with tube feeding (OR = 2.02, p = 0.01), and the number of medications (OR = 1.15, p < 0.01) were significant predictors of CDI. Conclusion: This study revealed that nutritional factors, including NRS 2002 scores and feeding routes, were associated with CDI, emphasizing the importance of nutritional factors as key predictors in managing and preventing CDI.

Impact of order set implementation on appropriate treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP).

This study aimed to evaluate appropriate antimicrobial prescribing after implementing a pneumonia order set within a community teaching hospital. Retrospective chart review study. 450-bed community teaching hospital. Patients who are 18 years of age or older admitted for treatment of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) between October 1, 2021, and August 1, 2023. This retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate a composite endpoint of appropriate empiric antimicrobial selection, dosing, and duration in accordance with the national guidelines after the implementation of a CAP order set. Secondary outcomes included comparing hospital length of stay (LOS), readmission rates, mortality rates, and Clostridium difficile infection rates. A total of 236 patients were included (118 patients per group). Significantly more patients in the post-implementation group received guideline-concordant therapy for CAP (5.9% vs 35.6%, P < .001). Results were heavily influenced by improvements in appropriate durations of therapy (pre: 6.8% vs post: 39.9%, P < .001). There were no significant differences observed for LOS, 30-day readmission rates, C. difficile infections within 30 days, or mortality rates between groups. The order set was utilized in 66.1% of patients included in the post-implementation group. Implementing an order set significantly improved inpatient antibiotic prescribing for CAP with no difference in clinical or safety outcomes. Antibiotic order sets will be a useful tool for antimicrobial stewardship program expansion into other common community-acquired infections.

EP39 - Retrospective study of delays in reversal of loop ileostomy – reasons and outcomes during the COVID era

Abstract Aims Formation of loop ileostomy is common after anterior resection to reduce the sequele of an anastomosis leak.1-5 Delays to reversal of ileostomy is associated with complications. Methods Retrospective study between 1 July 2017 – 30 June 2023. Patients were included: &amp;gt;18 years old, loop ileostomy formed as part of anterior resection surgery (benign and malignant). Exclusion criteria: loop ileostomy performed during other colonic resections, patients with inflammatory bowel disease, defunctioning ileostomy for obstructions. Primary outcome measures included complications associated with delayed closure of loop ileostomy and readmissions after reversal surgery. Secondary measures included reasons for delay to surgery, complications prior to reversal surgery, and morbidity and mortality associated with it. Results 135 patients were included. 85.9% of patients experienced delays in reversal surgery. Those without delays in surgery had higher rate of stoma-related complications (p=0.002). Delays were due to a long waitlist (p&amp;lt;0.01) and adjuvant chemotherapy (p=0.598). There was no significant differences in the delays to surgery during COVID pandemic. Delays were associated with higher rate of wound infection (6.04%), post-operative ileus (12.07%), anastomotic leak (1.72%), and Clostridium difficile (C.diff) infection (3.45%). Handsewn end to end anastomosis was associated with a higher proportion of post-operative ileus compared to the stapled side to side anastomosis group. Conclusion Reversal of ileostomy within 6 months of index surgery after adjuvant therapy could potentially reduce post-operative complications, and alleviate the burden on our healthcare system in the long run. A stapled side to side anastomosis should also be considered.

Pantoprazole in Patients at Risk for Gastrointestinal Bleeding in the Intensive Care Unit: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials

Abstract Background: Many patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) suffer from gastrointestinal (GIT) bleeding as a result of stress ulcers. This type of injury is common in severely ill patients, especially with factors such as mechanical ventilation and coagulopathy. As a proton pump inhibitor, pantoprazole is frequently employed to avert the possibility of stress ulcers which may cause GIT bleeding. The objective of this study is to systematically review existing literature on the use of pantoprazole in preventing GIT bleeding and stress ulcers among critically ill patients locked in an ICU setting. Methods: We conducted a thorough investigation by methodically examining many databases, including PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, up to September 2024. The aim of our study was to discover literature assessing the efficacy of pantoprazole in preventing gastrointestinal bleeding and its impact on mortality rates among critically ill patients. We employed the risk-of-bias 2 methodology to assess the quality of the evidence, so ensuring the dependability of the results derived from these studies. The data were systematically organised in a uniform online format and analysed with RevMan 5.4. Results: Systematic analysis of five clinical trials comparing pantoprazole to placebo in critically ill patients revealed a significantly lower risk of upper gastrointestinal bleeding with pantoprazole (risk ratio = 0.47, P = 0.003). However, no significant differences were observed in hospital mortality or ICU mortality compared to placebo or ranitidine. Pantoprazole also showed no impact on hospital or ICU length of stay, mechanical ventilation duration, or rates of Clostridium difficile infection. Sensitivity analysis for ICU length of stay resolved heterogeneity but did not alter the overall conclusion. Conclusion: This meta-analysis demonstrates that the use of pantoprazole is associated with a decrease in the incidence of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in critically ill patients. However, it does not influence mortality or periods of hospitalisation or ICU stay including duration of mechanical ventilation or rates of Clostridium difficile infection. Similarly, when sedentary patients receive pantoprazole for stress ulcer prophylaxis, these benefits are restricted only to preventing GIT bleeding and not improving any of the critical care indices.

An Exploratory Analysis of the Association between Healthcare Associated Infections & Hospital Financial Performance.

Purpose: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) place a significant financial burden on United States hospitals. HAI treatments extend hospital lengths of stay and increase hospital operational costs while significantly reducing hospital profit margins. Given these challenges, the research aim of this study was to explore the association between HAIs and hospital financial performance. A better understanding of this relationship can assist hospital leaders in optimizing the use of scarce financial resources to reduce HAI prevalence. Methods: Data for calendar year 2022 for active short-term acute care hospitals (n = 1454) in the US were analyzed using multiple linear regression analysis. We explored two derived dependent variables, operating expense per staffed bed and operating expense per discharge. The independent variables included four healthcare-associated infection rates: methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection rate, Clostridium difficile (C. diff) infection rate, Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infection (CAUTI) rate, and Central Line Associated Blood Stream Infections (CLABSI). Appropriate organizational and market-level variables that may independently influence hospital financial performance were included as control variables. Results: The results revealed that C. diff (β: 0.037, p < 0.05) and CAUTI (β: 0.031, p < 0.05) rates were positively associated with an increase in operating expense per staffed bed, while increases in MRSA (β: 0.042, p < 0.001), C. diff (β: 0.062, p < 0.001), and CAUTI rates (β: 0.039, p < 0.001) were correlated with increased operating expenses per discharge. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that specific HAIs may be associated with increased hospital expenses. Proactively targeting these infections through tailored interventions may lead to reduced hospital costs, improved financial performance, and economic stability.

Critically Evaluating the Role for Postoperative Antibiotics in Patients Undergoing Urethroplasty With Buccal Mucosa Graft: A Claims Database Analysis

ObjectivesTo compare outcomes among patients undergoing first-time urethroplasty with buccal mucosa graft (BMG) who receive post-operative antibiotics versus those who do not. MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted using the TriNetX claims database between 2008-2022. Using CPT, ICD10, and LOINC codes, patients >18 years old undergoing primary urethroplasty with BMG who received an outpatient prescription for antibiotics between post-operative day 0-30 or did not were queried. Patients with positive pre-operative urine culture or urinary tract infection (UTI) within 30 days pre-operatively were excluded. Surgical outcomes included 5-year revision rates and revision-free survival. Safety outcomes included new UTI within 30 days, surgical site infection (SSI) within 90 days, or Clostridium difficile infection within 30 days of urethroplasty. ResultsWe identified 884 patients (81% antibiotic cohort, 19% non-antibiotic cohort) that met inclusion criteria. Age at time of urethroplasty, suprapubic tube presence, and pre-existing medical comorbidities were comparable between cohorts (Table 1A). There was no difference in 5-year rates and revision-free survival for endoscopic revision (11.5% vs. 9.5%, RR 1.2, 95% CI [0.7, 2.0], RFS log-rank p=0.6), re-do urethroplasty (12.9% vs. 13.7%, RR 0.9, 95% CI [0.6, 1.5], RFS log-rank p=0.7), or all-cause revision (19.8% vs. 17.7%, RR 1.1, 95% CI [0.8, 1.6], p=0.5) between groups. Post-operative rates of UTI, SSI, and Clostridium difficile infection were similar between groups. ConclusionsIn this large retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing urethroplasty with BMG, we observed no significant benefit from use of post-operative antibiotics on long-term revision rates or perioperative infectious complications.

The incidence of Clostridium difficile infection in children with and without inflammatory bowel diseases: A single-center study in Taiwan from 2006 to 2019

BackgroundThe incidence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is increasing around the world, and patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) have a higher risk of obtaining CDI. The data on the incidence rate of CDI in the Asian pediatric IBD population was lacking. MethodsWe retrospectively collected data from a tertiary medical center in Taipei, Taiwan. All patients aged 1–18 years old who visited the outpatient department or were admitted to our hospital between 2006 and 2019 were included. CDI was defined as positive stool C. difficile toxin or C. difficile culture results with appropriate antibiotic use within the range of 7 days prior or 14 days after the result. ResultsWe compared the average annual incidence of CDI before and after 2013. The average incidence of community-acquired CDI (CA-CDI) increased from 0.063 to 0.564 cases per 1,000 visits, with a rate ratio (RR) of 8.82 (95% CI 5.74-14.38). In patients with IBD, the rate increased from 26.738 to 278.873 cases per 1,000 visits (RR=10.12, 95% CI: 4.57-29.02). The average incidence rate increased from 0.685 to 1.874 cases per 1,000 admissions in pediatric general patients (RR = 2.72, 95% CI 1.82-4.20) and from 14.706 to 62.500 cases per 1,000 admissions in pediatric IBD patients (RR = 3.77, 95% CI 0.71-93.53). ConclusionsBoth CA-CDI and healthcare facility-onset CDI (HO-CDI) were increasing substantially in the pediatric population over the past decade in Taiwan. Compared to the general pediatric population, pediatric IBD patients had a much higher incidence of CDI.

Effect of Virtual Reality Simulation Versus Traditional Education on Rates of Clostridium difficile Infection: An Experimental Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial and Return on Investment Analysis.

Virtual reality simulation (VRS) is an innovative modality in nursing professional development that has the potential to affect patient outcomes. An experimental cluster randomized controlled trial was performed with RNs on two inpatient units at a large academic health system. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of VRS compared with traditional education on Clostridium difficile rates. Return on investment of nursing professional development activities was also measured to support decision-making and resource allocation. Rates of C. difficile infection were significantly lower for both groups for the 3-month postintervention period compared with the 10-month period preintervention. Financial analysis showed a return on investment for both modalities, with VRS having higher yields over time. Findings showed that VRS was an effective instructional method. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2024;55(7):351-358.].

Retrospective study in a single unit: outcomes of delays in reversal of loop ileostomy

Background: Formation of loop ileostomy is common after anterior resection to reduce the sequalae of an anastomosis leak. Delays to reversal of ileostomy is associated with complications. Methods: Retrospective study between 1 July 2017 to 30 June 2023. Patients were included: &gt;18 years old, loop ileostomy formed as part of anterior resection surgery (benign and malignant). Exclusion criteria: loop ileostomy performed during other colonic resections, patients with inflammatory bowel disease, de-functioning ileostomy for obstructions. Primary outcome measures included complications associated with delayed closure of loop ileostomy and readmissions after reversal surgery. Secondary measures included reasons for delay to surgery, complications prior to reversal surgery, and morbidity and mortality associated with it. Results: 135 patients were included. 85.9% of patients experienced delays in reversal surgery. Those without delays in surgery had higher rate of stoma-related complications (p=0.002). Delays were due to a long waitlist (p&lt;0.01) and adjuvant chemotherapy (p=0.598). There were no significant differences in the delays to surgery during COVID pandemic. Delays were associated with higher rate of wound infection (6.04%), post-operative ileus (12.07%), anastomotic leak (1.72%), and Clostridium difficile (C. diff) infection (3.45%). Handsewn end to end anastomosis was associated with higher proportion of post-operative ileus compared to the stapled side to side anastomosis group. Conclusions: Reversal of ileostomy within 6 months of index surgery after adjuvant therapy could potentially reduce post-operative complications, and alleviate the burden on our healthcare system in the long run. A stapled side to side anastomosis should also be considered.

Association of congestive heart failure (CHF) with incidence rates of enteric infections and gram-negative sepsis (GNS) in patients with hepato-pancreatico-biliary cancers (HPBCs).

567 Background: ChronicCHF leads to volume overload and can cause bowel wall edema. This may compromise local immune defense and promote increased translocation of gut bacteria into the blood.HPBCs can cause biliary tract obstruction which is also associated with bacteremia. Additionally, cancer treatments are associated with an increased risk of clostridium difficile infection (CDI), regardless of antibiotic exposure. While associations between cancer and increased infection rates are well-established, we questioned whether concomitant CHF increases this risk further in the HPBC population. We therefore investigated whether concomitant CHF and HPBC influenced CDI, other infectious gastroenteritis (IGE), GNS rates or all-cause-hospital mortality. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted by obtaining patients with HPBC through the application of specific ICD 10 codes from the National Inpatient Sample 2020, a large publicly available database of inpatient hospital stays incorporating data from hospitals across 48 U.S. states. Among this cohort, patients with chronic CHF were further identified by applying all CHF-specific ICD 10 codes. All patients with HPBC were divided into two groups, one with CHF (group A) and the other without CHF (group B). Outcomes were compared between the two groups using multivariate regression analysis (MVRA) adjusting for demographic factors, hospital-specific characteristics like location, bed size, etc., comorbidities including obesity, diabetes, hypertension, prior cardiovascular events, HIV, CKD, OSA, etc., prior coronary intervention/surgery as well as alcohol, smoking or substance use. Results: 211,790 patients were identified with HPBC. 40.55% were female. 18,955 patients (9.95%) were found to have chronic CHF. The incidence of GNS was higher in group A compared to group B in the MVRA (Adjusted (Ad) OR: 1.4, CI 1.07-1.95, p=0.015). However, there was no difference in the incidence rate of CDI between groups A and B (Ad OR: 1.0, CI 0.71-1.50, p=0.86). Similarly, the two groups had no difference in other IGE (Ad OR: 1.0, CI 0.71-1.37, p=0.96). All-cause hospital mortality was slightly higher in group A than group B but failed to reach statistical significance (Ad OR: 1.1, CI: 0.99-1.29, p=0.069). Conclusions: GNS was more common in patients with HPBC who also had comorbid chronic CHF. Future investigations may focus on the effect of increased GNS on outcomes beyond hospitalization, correlation between the severity of CHF and GNS as well as primary site of HPBC and infection risk. Based on this signal-finding analysis, it is postulated that early inter-disciplinary collaboration between oncology and cardio-oncology/cardiology may have special significance in the management of patients with chronic CHF and HPBCs, the latter of which already carries a dismal prognosis.

Impact of Personal Protective Equipment usage and hand washing due to COVID-19 on the rate of HA-CDI

Background:&#x0D; Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) is one of the most common healthcare-associated (HA) infections. Advanced age, use of proton pump inhibitors, concomitant antibiotics, steroids, prolonged hospital stay, and gastrointestinal surgeries are associated with increased incidence of disease. CDI is transmissible via the fecal-oral route by ingestion of spores and is readily transmitted in the hospital between patients and caregivers. Strict contact precautions and handwashing are implemented in health care settings to prevent its transmission. The current pandemic of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has led to imposing restrictions on patient admission, visitor visit and implementing extra measures on handwashing along with the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). Therefore, the main objective of this study is to identify if additional preventive measures for COVID-19 have any impact on the rate of HA-CDI.&#x0D; Methods: &#x0D; A retrospective study was conducted on patients diagnosed with HA-CDI during the COVID-19 year (2020) and compared with patients of the pre-COVID-19 year (2019) from March to October. A comparison of baseline characteristics, risk factors and patient hospitalization were compared.&#x0D; Results:&#x0D; During the study period, a total of 148 cases were diagnosed with HA-CDI of which 75 cases were in the pre-COVID-19 and 73 cases in COVID-19 year accounting for a total of 149,092 and 136,982 inpatient bed days respectively. The rate of HA-CDI was 5.03 vs 5.33 per 10,000 hospitalized patients in the pre-COVID-19 year vs COVID-19 year. No significant differences in baseline demographic characteristics, (age, sex, race and BMI); comorbidities (diabetes and hypertension) and risk factors like cancer and steroid use were observed between the two groups. Factors associated with CDI like antibiotic use (p=0.001) and proton pump inhibitor use (p= 0.005) was significantly lower in COVID-19 year. However, there was a significantly high number of patients that had undergone gastrointestinal (GI) surgery (22.6% vs 6.6%, p=0.01) during COVID-19 year. Almost half of the patients in each group stayed in the intensive care unit (ICU) and the mean length of ICU stay was significantly higher in COVID-19 year (20.4± 34.3 days vs 11.6± 16.9 days, p= 0.03). The mortality rate was higher (20.5% vs 12%, p= 0.23) during COVID-19 period. A sub-analysis was done with 2020 data to identify if there lies any contributing factors to the increase CDI rate. 21 cases were positive for COVID-19, of which 28.5% underwent GI surgery; 19% received steroids (Dexamethasone), 76.1% stayed in ICU with median LOS (16± 20.2) and 52.3% died.&#x0D; Conclusions:&#x0D; Based on our observations, a slightly higher rate of symptomatic HA-CDI was observed during COVID-19 year when compared with pre-COVID-19 year. Implementation of measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 e.g., use of PPE, handwashing, environmental cleaning, visitor restriction etc. were expected to help decrease HA-CDI, which was not observed in our study. We did observe longer ICU stay and higher rate of GI surgery among patients who had HA-CDI in 2020. Higher acuity patients and increased rate of these risk factors amongst patients admitted in year 2020 might have offset the expected benefit of COVID-19 prevention strategies.

Vedolizumab does not increase risk of clostridium difficile infection in patients with inflammatory bowel disease using vedolizumab: A retrospective cohort study

IntroductionSeveral studies have shown increased incidence, recurrence, and severity of Clostridium difficileinfection (CDI) over the last decade. Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) who develop CDI are more prone to morbidity and mortality than CDI in patients without IBD. This study seeks to evaluate whether IBD patients who use vedolizumab are at increased risk of CDI compared to IBD patients using other therapies. MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study, and 684 patients with confirmed IBD (228 on vedolizumab, 228 on anti-TNF, and 228 on 5- Aminosalicylates acid therapy) were enrolled from January 2009 to August 2019 at a tertiary referral IBD center at McMaster University Medical Centre (MUMC) in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada. The primary outcome was time to the development of CDI in IBD patients using different therapies. Secondary outcomes included rates of CDI and the association between baseline variables and risk of CDI. A Cox proportional hazards (PH) model was used to evaluate baseline factors and development of CDI. ResultThere was no difference in time to CDI between the three treatment groups (log rank p-value 0.37). CDI occurred in 16 patients (2.3%), specifically four patients (1.75%) in the vedolizumab group, four patients (1.75%) in the anti-TNF group, and eight patients (3.5%) in the 5-ASA group. The Cox PH model found current smoking, older age, and concomitant immunomodulator use as risk factors for CDI, after adjustment for other covariates. Vedolizumab was not associated with increased risk of CDI in the model. ConclusionBiologic therapy with vedolizumab or anti-TNF did not impact risk of CDI. Risk factors for CDI in IBD patients included smoking, older age at the onset of medication, and immunomodulator therapy. Clinicians should have high degree of suspicion for CDI in IBD patients presenting with diarrhea, particularly in those with risk factors identified in this study.

Predictors of Clostridium difficile infection after stoma reversal following TaTME surgery.

The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of Clostridium Difficile infection (CDI) after stoma reversal in patients who underwent transanal Total Mesorectal Excision (TaTME) and to evaluate variables correlated with this post-operative infection. Patients who underwent stoma reversal surgery following TaTME for rectal cancer between 2015 and 2023 at a high-volume Institution, were retrospectively reviewed for the post-operative occurrence of diarrhea and in-hospital CDI (positive toxin in the stools). Patients were divided into the following subgroups according to the post-operative course: Group A-no clinical symptoms; Group B-mild diarrhea (< 10 evacuations/day); Group C-severe watery diarrhea (> 10 evacuations/day) with CDI negative; and Group D-severe watery diarrhea (> 10 evacuations/day) CDI positive. Clinical and laboratory data were analyzed for their correlation with CDI. A machine learning approach was used to determine predictors of diarrhea following stoma reversal. A total of 126 patients were selected, of whom 79 were assessed as Group A, 16 Group B, 25 Group C and 6 (4.8%) Group D. Univariable analysis documented that delayed stoma reversal correlated with CDI (Group A mean interval 44.6weeks vs. Group D 68.4weeks, p 0.01). The machine learning analysis confirmed the delay in stoma closure as a probability factor of presenting diarrhea; also, diarrhea probability was 80.5% in males, 77.8% in patients who underwent neoadjuvant therapy, and 63.9% in patients who underwent adjuvant therapy. Stoma reversal surgery can result in moderate rate of in-hospital CDI. Time-to stoma reversal is a crucial variable significantly related with this adverse outcome.

Antibiotic-Associated Clostridium difficile Diarrhoea in Tertiary Care Hospital – A Study from Western India

Antibiotic-associated Clostridium difficile (CD) diarrhoea is one of the common causes of healthcare-acquired infection. Cephalosporins, piperacillin-tazobactam and aminoglycosides are the common antibiotics which have the maximum chances of producing Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Most Asian countries have easy accessibility to many of these antibiotics without prescription. Broad spectrum antibiotics have been indiscriminately used as empirical therapy over the last two decades which has resulted in an increased risk of C. difficile infection. In India, the prevalence of CDI is highly underestimated. This study aims to understand the prevalence, risk factors and comorbidities associated with CD diarrhoea in a tertiary care hospital from western India. 196 patients were included in the study who were diagnosed with antibiotic-associated diarrhoea (AAD) clinically. Stool samples collected were processed for anaerobic culture of C. difficile and immunochromatography test was done to detect C. difficile toxins A and B. The comorbidities associated as well as the use of antibiotics like cephalosporin or proton pump inhibitors were also noted for the patients with CDI. 32 samples yielded CD (16%), out of which toxin production was detected only in 16 isolates. The prevalence rate of CDI in our hospital was 5%. Most of the patients had history of chronic illnesses like diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, ischemic heart disease, systemic hypertension, autoimmune diseases, or malignancy. Avoiding empirical therapy with antibiotics prone to cause AAD, Antimicrobial stewardship programme with proper infection control practices and epidemiological surveillance of CDI will help to reduce the burden of CDI in our country.

Association of a sepsis initiative on broad spectrum antibiotic use and outcomes in an ED population

IntroductionSepsis identification and treatment is a priority for emergency department (ED) providers and payors alike. However, aggressive metrics aimed at improving sepsis care could have unintended consequences for patients who do not have sepsis. MethodsAll ED patient visits for a one month period before and after a quality initiative to increase early antibiotic use in septic patients were included. Overall broad spectrum (BS) antibiotic use, admission rates, and mortality were compared in the 2 time periods. A more detailed chart review was performed on those who received BS antibiotics in the before and after cohorts. Patient were excluded for pregnancy, age < 18, COVID-19 infection, hospice patients, left ED against medical advice, and if antibiotics were given for prophylaxis. In BS antibiotic treated patients, we sought to determine mortality, rates of subsequent multidrug resistant (MDR) or Clostridium Difficile (CDiff) infections and rates of non-infected patients receiving BS antibiotics. ResultsThere were 7967 and 7407 ED visits in the pre- and post-implementation periods, respectively. Of those, BS antibiotics were administered in a total of 3.9% pre-implementation and 6.2% post-implementation (p ≤ 0.00001). Admission was more common in the post-implementation period, but overall mortality was unchanged (0.9% pre-implementation and 0.8% post-implementation, p = 0.41). After exclusions, 654 patients treated with BS antibiotics were included in the secondary analyses. Baseline characteristics were similar between the pre-implementation and post-implementation cohorts. There was no difference in the rate of CDiff infection or the proportion of patients receiving BS antibiotics who were not infected, but there was an increase in the post-implementation period in MDR infections after ED BS antibiotics, 0.72% vs. 0.35% of the entire ED cohorts, p = 0.0009. ConclusionsWe found that a QI sepsis initiative was associated with an increase in the proportion of patients who received BS antibiotics in the ED, and a small absolute increase in associated subsequent MDR infections, with no apparent effect on mortality in all ED patients or the subset treated with BS antibiotics. Further research is needed to assess the impact on all patients affected by aggressive sepsis protocols and initiatives, rather than only those with sepsis.

Racial disparities in the outcomes of allogeneic bone marrow transplant: A 5-year nationwide inpatient study.

e19060 Background: Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (ABMT) is a life-saving procedure in hematological malignancies and bone marrow failure disorders. Despite advances in the field, literature proposes racial disparities in the outcomes of ABMT. This study aims to investigate this difference among distinct racial cohorts. Methods: We identified patients who underwent ABMT for malignant and nonmalignant hematologic diseases from 2016-2020 using the nationwide inpatient sample (NIS) database. We compared the racial differences in outcomes during the hospitalization, including immunologic and hematologic complications, associated infections, length of stay, and mortality rate. Baseline characteristics were compared using a T-test and Chi-Square. Multivariate regression analysis was applied to estimate differences in outcomes. We used STATA Version 17.0 Software for data analysis. The p-value was set at p &lt; 0.05 for statistical significance. Results: A retrospective study was conducted on a cohort of 14,599 adults who underwent ABMT. Out of which 30% (4,379) developed complications. The mean age for ABMT was 54, and the average length of stay was 29 days. In this cohort, 79.5% (11,325) were whites, 4.2% (610) were blacks, 8.3% (1,185) were Hispanics, and 7.8% (1,125) were others. When comparing the outcomes among racial groups, invasive fungal infections 15.5% (95), mucositis 36% (220), septic shock 9% (55), and respiratory failure 14.7% (90) were more common in blacks (p &lt; 0.05). Neutropenia 41.3% (490) and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection 12.2% (145) were more common in Hispanics (p &lt; 0.05). However, no significant difference was noted in immunologic complications (graft versus host disease (GVHD), bone marrow rejection (BMR), bone marrow failure (BMF)), pancytopenia, clostridium difficile infection (CDI), and mortality (p &lt; 0.05). Conclusions: Our study shows that blacks had a higher prevalence of invasive fungal infections, mucositis, septic shock, and respiratory failure, while Hispanics reported a higher prevalence of neutropenia and CMV infection. However, no significant differences were noted in GVHD, BMR, BMF, pancytopenia, CDI, and mortality rates. Therefore, it can be concluded that while there are some differences in post-ABMT complications among racial groups, overall, the rates of major complications and mortality do not significantly differ.

Short Versus Long Antibiotic Duration for Necrotizing Soft Tissue Infection: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTIs) are rapidly spreading, life-threatening infections that require emergent surgical intervention with immediate antibiotic initiation. However, there is no consensus regarding duration of antibiotic therapy after source control. We hypothesized that a short course of antibiotic therapy is as effective as a long course of antibiotic therapy after final debridement for NSTI. Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed using PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library from inception to November 2022. Observational studies comparing short (≤7 days) versus long (>7 days) antibiotic duration for NSTI were included. Primary outcome was mortality and secondary outcomes included limb amputation and Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Cumulative analysis was performed with Fisher exact test. Meta-analysis was performed using a fixed effects model and heterogeneity was assessed using Higgins I2. Results: A total of 622 titles were screened and four observational studies evaluating 532 patients met inclusion criteria. Mean age was 52 years, 67% were male, 61% had Fournier gangrene. There was no difference in mortality when comparing short to long duration antibiotic agents on both cumulative analysis (5.6% vs. 4.0%; p = 0.51) and meta-analysis (relative risk, 0.9; 95% confidence interval, 0.8-1.0; I2 0; p = 0.19). There was no significant difference in rates of limb amputation (11% vs. 8.5%; p = 0.50) or CDI (20.8% vs. 13.3%; p = 0.14). Conclusions: Short duration antibiotic therapy may be as effective as longer duration antibiotic therapy for NSTI after source control. Further high-quality data such as randomized clinical trials are required to create evidence-based guidelines.

Quality Improvement Project to Decrease the Rates of Clostridium difficile Infections in a Tertiary Care Center.

Moreno, Cesar MD; Seaman, Rachel MD, FACP; Noles, Kristen DNP, RN, CNL Author Information

In at-risk patients, does the use of prophylactic vancomycin decrease the rate of Clostridium difficile infections?

In at-risk patients, does the use of prophylactic vancomycin decrease the rate of Clostridium difficile infections?