Nonteaching Community Hospital Research Articles

Vancomycin AUC-Based Dosing Practices in a Non-Teaching Community Hospital and Associated Outcomes: A One-Year Survey of Uniform Targets for Infections with or without MRSA.

Intravenous (IV) vancomycin area under the curve (AUC)-based dosing is used uniformly for Gram-positive organisms in non-teaching community hospitals. However, evidence for using vancomycin AUC-based dosing for non-methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (non-MRSA) and less serious infections is limited in the literature. A gap in the literature also exists with respect to comparisons between the outcomes that can be derived using the regimens suggested by Bayesian programs and target doses of the AUC of 400-499 and 500-600. A retrospective review of all patients hospitalized in a non-teaching community hospital who used AUC-based vancomycin was performed over a 1-year period. Only 17.6% of the included patients had confirmed MRSA. The values for the overall early response rate, 30-day all-cause mortality, and rate of acute kidney injury (AKI) were 50.3%, 11.3%, and 3.8%, respectively, in this population. In regression analysis, compared to non-MRSA infections, a significantly higher rate of early response was seen in patients with MRSA (unadjusted OR = 2.68, 95% CI [1.06-6.76] p = 0.04). Patients in the AUC 400-499 group had a non-significant higher incidence of 30 d mortality and new AKI compared to patients in the AUC 500-600 group. In our Kaplan-Meier survival analysis, there was no statistically significant difference between the comparison groups. Early response was lower in patients with non-MRSA compared to patients with MRSA despite achieving the AUC target. There was no apparent difference in clinical outcomes between the higher and lower AUC groups. Further large-scale research is needed to confirm these findings.

Pediatric Surgery from the Roads Less Traveled: Challenges, Communication, and Collaboration from a Community Nonteaching Hospital

Unique challenges face pediatric surgeons at community-based nonteaching hospitals. Communication and collaboration among and between healthcare providers, hospital administrators, and quaternary referral programs is crucial for the success of these smaller hospitals as they care for children.

The Role of an Infectious Diseases Faculty Pharmacist and Pharmacy Students on an Antimicrobial Stewardship Team at a Community Non-teaching Hospital

Background: Antimicrobial stewardship program implementation at non-teaching community hospitals differs due to staffing and resource disparities. Objective: Demonstrate that an infectious disease (ID) pharmacist faculty with advanced pharmacy practice experience (APPE) students can expand antimicrobial stewardship services at non-teaching community hospitals. Methods: A single-center, retrospective chart review was conducted comparing prospective audit and feedback antimicrobial stewardship interventions by an ID pharmacist faculty with and without APPE students between January 16, 2020 to January 16, 2021. The primary endpoints were intervention rate and the intervention acceptance rate. Secondary endpoints included: the difference in the time from antimicrobial order to intervention and length of stay, as well as comparison of acceptance rates stratified by intervention type or the antimicrobial intervened upon. Results: A total of 739 antimicrobial stewardship interventions were made with an overall acceptance rate of 55.2%. The ID pharmacist faculty with APPE students had a higher number of interventions and intervention rate per working day compared to without students (428 vs 311 and 4.46 vs 2.99, respectively). Conversely, the intervention acceptance rate was lower for the ID pharmacist faculty with APPE students vs without (48.8% vs 64%, P < .001). Both the median time from antimicrobial order to the intervention and length of stay was lower for the ID pharmacist faculty with students vs without (2.50 days [interquartile range (IQR) 1.24 - 4.01] vs 2.99 days [IQR 1.64 - 4.95], P = .003, and 9.20 days [IQR 5.57 - 14.93] vs 11.69 days [IQR 6.89 - 22.31], P < .001, respectively). The acceptance rates by intervention type and the antimicrobial intervened upon were similar between groups. Conclusion: An ID pharmacist faculty with APPE students at a non-teaching community hospital increased the number of stewardship interventions, and was associated with decreased time from antimicrobial order to intervention and length of stay.

Prescriptions patterns and appropriateness of usage of antibiotics in non-teaching community hospitals in South Korea: a multicentre retrospective study

BackgroundAlthough non-teaching community hospitals form the majority of healthcare providers in South Korea, there is limited data on antibiotic usage in them. To evaluate the pattern of antibiotic usage and its appropriateness in hospitals with < 400 beds in South Korea.MethodsA multicentre retrospective study was conducted in 10 hospitals (six long-term care hospitals, three acute care hospitals, and one orthopaedic hospital), with < 400 beds in South Korea. We analysed patterns of antibiotic prescription in 2019, and their appropriateness in the participating hospitals. For the evaluation of the appropriateness of the prescription, 25 patients under antibiotic therapy were randomly selected at each hospital, over two separate periods. Due to the heterogeneity of their characteristics, the orthopaedics hospital was excluded from the analysis.ResultsThe most commonly prescribed antibiotics in long-term care hospitals was fluoroquinolone, followed by beta-lactam/beta-lactamase inhibitor (anti-pseudomonal). In acute care hospitals, these were third generation cephalosporin, followed by first generation cephalosporin, and second generation cephalosporin. The major antibiotics that were prescribed in the orthopedics hospital was first generation cephalosporin Only 2.3% of the antibiotics were administered inappropriately. In comparison, 15.3% of patients were prescribed an inappropriate dose. The proportion of inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions was 30.6% of the total antibiotic prescriptions.ConclusionsThe antibiotic usage patterns vary between non-teaching community hospitals in South Korea. The proportion of inappropriate prescriptions exceeded 30% of the total antibiotic prescriptions.

Retrospective Quality Improvement Study of Insulin-Induced Hypoglycemia and Implementation of Hospital-Wide Initiatives.

Hospitalized patients who are receiving antihyperglycemic agents are at increased risk for hypoglycemia. Inpatient hypoglycemia may lead to increased risk for morbidity, mortality, prolonged hospitalization, and readmission within 30 days of discharge, which in turn may lead to increased costs. Hospital-wide initiatives targeting hypoglycemia are known to be beneficial; however, their impact on patient care and economic measures in community nonteaching hospitals are unknown. This retrospective quality improvement study examined the effects of hospital-wide hypoglycemia initiatives on the rates of insulin-induced hypoglycemia in a community hospital setting from January 1, 2016, until September 30, 2019. The potential cost of care savings has been calculated. Among 49 315 total patient days, 2682 days had an instance of hypoglycemia (5.4%). Mean ± SD hypoglycemic patient days/month was 59.6 ± 16.0. The frequency of hypoglycemia significantly decreased from 7.5% in January 2016 to 3.9% in September 2019 (P = .001). Patients with type 2 diabetes demonstrated a significant decrease in the frequency of hypoglycemia (7.4%-3.8%; P < .0001), while among patients with type 1 diabetes the frequency trended downwards but did not reach statistical significance (18.5%-18.0%; P = 0.08). Based on the reduction of hypoglycemia rates, the hospital had an estimated cost of care savings of $98 635 during the study period. In a community hospital setting, implementation of hospital-wide initiatives targeting hypoglycemia resulted in a significant and sustainable decrease in the rate of insulin-induced hypoglycemia. These high-leverage risk reduction strategies may be translated into considerable cost savings and could be implemented at other community hospitals.

The EDIT Survey: Identifying Emergency Department Information Technology Knowledge and Training Gaps.

To review Emergency Department internet connectivity, cyber risk factors, perception of risks and preparedness, security policies, training and mitigation strategies. A validated targeted survey was sent to Canadian ED physicians and nurses between March 5, 2019 and April 28, 2019. There were 349 responses, with physicians making up 84% of the respondents (59% urban teaching, 35% community teaching, 6% community non-teaching hospitals). All had multiple passwords, 93% had more than 1 user account, over 90% had to log repeatedly each workday, 52% had to change their passwords every 3 months, 75% had multiple methods of authentication and 53% reported using a terminal where someone else was already logged in. Passwords were used to review laboratory and radiology data, access medical records and manage patient flow. Majority of the respondents (51%) did not know if they worked with internet linked devices. Only 7% identified an 'air gapped' computer in their facility and 76% used personal devices for patient care, with less than a third of those allowing the IT department to review their device. A total of 26 respondents received no cyber security training. This paper revealed significant computer-human interface dysfunctionality and readiness gaps in the event of an IT failure. These stemmed from poor system design, poor planning and lack of training. The paper identified areas with technical or training solutions and suggested mitigation strategies.

Resident Trainees Increase Surgical Time: A Comparison of Obstetric and Gynaecologic Procedures in Academic Versus Community Hospitals

Abstract Objective The impact of resident involvement in the operating room for common procedures in obstetrics and gynaecology can shed light on the resource demands of teaching. The objective of this study was to quantify the increased surgical time associated with teaching obstetrics and gynaecology resident trainees across a range of procedures known to require surgical assistance. Methods This population-based retrospective cohort study compared surgical duration between academic (teaching) hospitals and community (non-teaching) hospitals. The cohort was made up of adult residents of Ontario between fiscal years 2002 and 2013 who were undergoing commonly performed obstetrics and gynaecologic procedures. The most commonly billed procedures requiring surgical assistance were included: cesarean section, anterior or posterior repair, anterior and posterior repair, salpingo-oophorectomy, myomectomy, ectopic pregnancy, total or subtotal hysterectomy, vaginal hysterectomy, and laparoscopic hysterectomy. Linked administrative databases held at the Institute of Clinical Evaluative Sciences (ICES) were used to define patient-, surgeon-, institution-, and procedure-related variables to limit confounding. Surgical duration, determined by anaesthetic billing records, was analyzed using a negative binomial regression. Results The total cohort included 337 389 surgical procedures. Of these procedures, 28% (94 203 procedures) were conducted in academic settings. The mean surgical duration of the procedures of interest (excluding vaginal hysterectomy) was significantly longer in academic hospitals compared with community hospitals. With many controls for case variability, this time differential reflects the burden of teaching resident trainees and other learners in the academic environment. The operating time increased between 6% and 20% for cases completed in academic centres versus in the community. As an example, the mean surgical duration of cesarean sections was 20.6 minutes (19%) longer in academic centres. Furthermore, the data highlighted a trend of increased teaching time for laparoscopic procedures compared with open procedures. The time ratio was the greatest for salpingo-oophortectomy and surgical management of ectopic pregnancies. The additional cost of carrying out these nine procedures in academic centres during the study period was $16.3 million. Conclusion The cost of teaching resident trainees is increased operative time. This increased surgical cost in a publicly funded system must be considered as funding models evolve.

Rates and Types of Medication-Related Problems in Patients Rehospitalized Within 30 Days of Discharge From a Community Hospital

Background: Impact of medication-related problems (MRPs) on persistently high hospital readmission rates are not well described. Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the rate and type of MRPs attributed to rehospitalization within 30 days of discharge from a general internal medicine hospitalists’ service at a nonacademic medical center. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted evaluating consecutive patients readmitted within 30-days after discharge to home from an internal medicine hospitalist service. Readmissions attributed to MRPs in physician documentation were systematically classified as indication, effectiveness, adverse drug reaction, or nonadherence problems and evaluated for possible preventability. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the rate and type of MRP. Results: Evaluation of consecutive 30-day readmissions (n = 203) to a nonteaching community hospital identified 50.2% of admissions attributed to MRPs. MRPs (n = 102) were categorized as problems of indication (34.3%), efficacy (19.6%), adverse drug events (18.6%), and nonadherence (27.5%). One third of 30-day readmissions in this cohort were attributed to potentially preventable MRPs. Conclusion: MRPs are frequently implicated in 30-day hospital readmissions in a nonteaching community hospital representing an opportunity for context-specific improvements.

150 American College of Emergency Physician Clinical Policy Guidelines: Close Friends or Aloof Strangers?

Clinical practice policies have been supported and encouraged by the Joint Commission as a method of quality assurance. Clinical policies are an effort to standardize care, ideally reduce costs, and set a general standard of care that may prove useful in medicolegal suits. The objective of this study was to discover what percentage of emergency physicians (EPs) are knowledgeable about current American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) clinical policy guidelines. The study was a convenience sample of emergency physicians and emergency medicine residents distributed via electronic survey through the University of Maryland network, a consortium of 14 emergency departments (ED) classified as university (hospital sponsoring an emergency medicine residency program), community teaching (ED where emergency residents train), non-teaching community hospital, as well as via the Consortium of Resident Directors list serve. Emergency physicians and residents were asked their familiarity with ACEP clinical policy guidelines based on a 100-point visual analog scale and then were given a 19-question quiz. After the quiz was completed, participants were asked to review the answers and then asked again to evaluate their familiarity with ACEP clinical policy guidelines and if the change in their understanding of clinical policies would change their practice pattern or documentation. Study groups were compared with the use of paired student’s t test and confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. 86 EPs participated in the survey and 41 EPs fully completed the survey. 65% of participants were American Board of Emergency Medicine board certified, and 87% of participants were members of ACEP. 20% of participants were still training in residency or fellowship. Regarding physician familiarity of ACEP clinical practice policies, the pretest mean score was a 56. For the 41 physicians that fully completed the survey the pre-test mean score was 58 (95% CI 50–66) and the post-test mean was 48 (95% CI 41–55) with a difference of means of 9 (CI 95% 2–21 p<0.05). Over 30% of physicians noted on the post-test that they would change the way they would practice in the future, and over 50% of physicians noted on the post-test they would change the way they document in the future. Over 90% of participants would be interested in a concise didactic review of ACEP practice guidelines and newly emerging guidelines. Over 75% of participants would be interested in receiving CME credit for this update on clinical policy guidelines. Familiarity with current ACEP clinical policy guidelines is generally poor amongst this small sampling of EPs. A concise didactic review of ACEP practice guidelines, potentially with CME incentive, would be well received by EPs seeking to remain up to date on ACEP clinical policy guidelines.

Understanding practices and gaps in multidisciplinary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) care within the community oncology setting.

390 Background: HCC incidence continues to rise and presents a myriad of complex challenges involving multi disciplines to screen, diagnose, and provide personalized therapy. Recent advances in diagnostics and therapies necessitate a well-coordinated multidisciplinary approach in managing HCC patients, signaling a need to understand care within community care. The study aimed to understand how multidisciplinary cancer programs were structured to manage HCC care and to identify challenges and practices for management of HCC, a cancer less commonly seen in community care settings. Methods: The Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) developed a survey to identify factors associated with delivery and coordination of care for HCC patients. The survey deployed electronically in July 2018 to multidisciplinary providers, representing 17 oncology professions. Of responses (n = 31), 69% identified their care setting as a “non-teaching community hospital, freestanding cancer center, private practice or other.” Results: 61% of respondents indicated their cancer programs do not have specialized hepatobiliary multidisciplinary team. Among those who have hepatobiliary multidisciplinary teams the composition and degree of specialization varied. 85% of respondents that do not have a specialized hepatobiliary team indicated that HCC patients are managed in consultation with a general tumor board. 52% indicated their program discussed participation in clinical trials with all HCC patients, and 55% of cancer programs conducted HCC clinical trials. 52% indicated their program had a formal pathway that outlines adherence to the NCCN guidelines for HCC management, 5% were in the process of developing and 43% were not in the process of developing such a pathway. Of respondents that reported barriers their program faces (n = 13) 31% indicated lack of psychosocial services, lack of screening and no/limited access to clinical trials. 23% responded delayed treatment and 15% responded delayed diagnosis as challenges. Conclusions: Review of multidisciplinary care delivery for HCC patients revealed unique protocols and challenges within primarily community-based settings.

Clinical Impact of an Antibiotic Stewarship Program at Two Non-Teaching Community Hospitals

BackgroundThe clinical impact of antibiotic stewardship programs (ASP) in non-teaching community hospitals (NTCH) is largely unknown. We report our experience in two NTCH with limited resources where ASP was established.MethodsIn 2008, ASP was established at two NTCH: University of Maryland-Upper Chesapeake Medical Center (UM-UCMC) and University of Maryland-Harford Memorial Hospital (UM-HMH) each with 195 and 128 beds, respectively.Empiric use of Level 1 antibiotics (piperacillin/tazobactam and vancomycin) was restricted to 72 hours, after which a positive culture or an ID consult was required to continue the antibiotics further. Empiric use of Level 2 antibiotics (carbapenems, echinocandins, tigecycline, daptomycin, linezolid, ganciclovir, voriconazole, lipid amphotericin and other non-formulary antibiotics) required an ID consult within 24 hours. Pharmacists reviewed restricted antibiotics and culture results, managed drug levels of vancomycin and aminoglycosides, and facilitated IV to PO conversions. Annual antibiograms were generated. Antibiotic utilization, cost, resistance patterns and rates of healthcare-associated (HA) C. difficile infections were tracked.ResultsRates of HA C. difficile infections decreased by 73%. Pseudomonas resistance to carbapenems, gentamicin, and piperacillin/tazobactam decreased by 62%, 56%, and 33% respectively. Enterococcus resistance to vancomycin, and the rates of extended spectrum β lactamase (ESBL) producing organisms remained stable. Total antibiotic purchase decreased by 30%; antibiotic cost per-patient-day decreased by an average of 41%. Physician compliance with our ASP was >90%.ConclusionImplementing an ASP at two non-teaching community hospitals not just reduced the overall utilization and cost of antibiotics, but also resulted in a significant reduction of healthcare-associated C. difficile infections and pseudomonas resistance to carbapenems and aminoglycosides.Figure 1Figure 2Figure 3Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

The Impact of a Pharmacist Driven 48-hour Antibiotic Time Out during Multi-disciplinary Rounds on Antibiotic Utilization in a Community Non-teaching Hospital

BackgroundAn antibiotic time out (ATO) at 48–72 hours is a critical component of antimicrobial stewardship programs to improve judicious antibiotic use. It is a strategy to prompt clinicians to re-evaluate antibiotic appropriateness including the need for de-escalation and discontinuation. Sharp Memorial Hospital is a tertiary community hospital with 437 beds and 48 Intensive Care Unit (ICU) beds. In May 2016, an ATO program was initiated in the ICU along with the implementation of multidisciplinary daily Medical ICU rounds 5 days a week led by an intensivist.MethodsWe conducted a pre- and post-intervention study to assess the impact of an ATO on utilization of targeted antibiotics (see Table 1). Pharmacists received mandatory education on the components of an ATO, a reference guidebook, and completed a baseline competency prior to ATO implementation. An on demand report was used to identify patients on antibiotic day > 2. A form prompting review of indication, culture results, de-escalation, treatment duration and proton-pump inhibitor appropriateness was completed as part of the daily workflow. Interventions were discussed during rounds or by contacting the physician. Metrics included days of therapy (DOT) per 1,000 patient days, and intervention numbers, types, and acceptance rates (AR) during two 9-month periods: pre- and post-implementation.ResultsThere were 829 interventions during the post-implementation period with a 96% AR compared with 83 during the pre-intervention period with a 94% AR. Antibiotic discontinuations and de-escalations comprised 52% of accepted interventions. There was a significant reduction in the use of vancomycin and quinolones with no change in anti-pseudomonal β-lactam use (see Table 1).Table 1. DOT per 1,000 patient daysJuly 2015– March 2016July 2016– March 2017 P-valueVancomycin IV122.29103.050.0001Levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin70.0741.500Cefepime, piperacillin-tazobactam aztreonam, meropenem257.13249.830.3626Conclusion A pharmacist driven ATO with physician support during multidisciplinary daily rounds reduced antibiotic use and could be expanded house-wide. This strategy could serve as a model to improve antimicrobial stewardship in community, non-teaching hospitals.Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

Implementing a Cost-Effective Antibiotic Stewardship Program at Two Non-Teaching Community Hospitals

Implementing a Cost-Effective Antibiotic Stewardship Program at Two Non-Teaching Community Hospitals

Engaging hospitalists in antimicrobial stewardship: Lessons from a multihospital collaborative.

Inappropriate antimicrobial use in hospitalized patients contributes to antimicrobial-resistant infections and complications. We sought to evaluate the impact, barriers, and facilitators of antimicrobial stewardship best practices in a diverse group of hospital medicine programs. This multihospital initiative included 1 community nonteaching hospital, 2 community teaching hospitals, and 2 academic medical centers participating in a collaborative with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Institute for Healthcare Improvement. We conducted multimodal physician education on best practices for antimicrobial use including: (1) enhanced antimicrobial documentation, (2) improved quality and accessibility of local clinical guidelines, and (3) a 72-hour antimicrobial "timeout." Implementation barriers included variability in physician practice styles, lack of awareness of stewardship importance, and overly broad interventions. Facilitators included engaging hospitalists, collecting real time data and providing performance feedback, and appropriately limiting the scope of interventions. In 2 hospitals, complete antimicrobial documentation in sampled medical records improved significantly (4% to 51% and 8% to 65%, P < 0.001 for each comparison). A total of 726 antimicrobial timeouts occurred at 4 hospitals, and 30% resulted in optimization or discontinuation of antimicrobials. With careful attention to key barriers and facilitators, hospitalists can successfully implement effective antimicrobial stewardship practices. Journal of Hospital Medicine 2016;11:576-580. © 2016 Society of Hospital Medicine.

Antibiotic Duration After Laparoscopic Appendectomy for Acute Complicated Appendicitis.

Optimal duration of antibiotic treatment to reduce infectious complications after an appendectomy for acute complicated appendicitis remains unclear. To investigate the effect of antibiotic duration on infectious complications after laparoscopic appendectomy for acute complicated appendicitis. National multicenter prospective, observational, surgical resident-led cohort study conducted in June and July 2014. This study involved academic teaching hospitals (n = 8), community teaching hospitals (n = 38), and community nonteaching hospitals (n = 16), and all consecutive patients (n = 1975) who underwent surgery for suspected acute appendicitis. Patients treated laparoscopically for whom the antibiotic regimens were prolonged postoperatively because of complicated appendicitis. Receiving either 3 or 5 days of antibiotic treatment as planned and additional variables were explored as risk factors for infectious complications using regression analyses. A total of 1975 patients were included in 62 participating Dutch hospitals; 1901 (96.3%) of these underwent an appendectomy for acute appendicitis and laparoscopy was used in 74.4% of these patients (n = 1415). In 415 laparoscopically treated patients, antibiotic treatment was continued for more than 24 hours because of acute complicated appendicitis (29.3%). The prescribed antibiotic duration varied between 2 and 6 days in all of these patients. In 123 patients (29.6%), the length of treatment was adjusted. A shorter duration of antibiotic treatment (3 days instead of 5) had no significant effect on any infectious complication (odds ratio [OR], 0.93; 95% CI, 0.38-2.32; P = .88) or on intra-abdominal abscess development (OR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.34-2.35; P = .81). Perforation of the appendix was the only independent risk factor for the development of an infectious complication (OR, 4.90; 95% CI, 1.41-17.06; P = .01) and intra-abdominal abscess (OR, 7.46; 95% CI, 1.65-33.66; P = .009) in multivariable regression analysis. Lengthening of postoperative antibiotic treatment to 5 days was not associated with a reduction in infectious complications. Further restriction of antibiotic treatment can be considered in nonperforated complicated appendicitis.

Evaluation of the Impact of a Student Pharmacist-Supported Program to Improve Hospital-Based Quality Measures.

Background. Although previous studies have demonstrated positive impact of student pharmacists on clinical interventions, no published studies to date have demonstrated the specific impact of student pharmacists on improving National Hospital Inpatient Quality Measures (NHIQM). Objective. To evaluate the impact of a student pharmacist-supported program targeted at improving the venous thromboembolism (VTE) quality measures set forth by the NHIQM. Methods. Retrospective review of VTE quality measure compliance at a community nonteaching hospital. During this time, student pharmacists supported a VTE prophylaxis program that evaluated admitted patients for chemical or mechanical prophylaxis needs. Compliance to VTE quality measures were also evaluated by a trained medical data abstractor based on criteria given by the Joint Commission. Results. Four major NHIQM criteria for VTE were selected for evaluation. National and state averages were compared to the overall hospital averages across various timeframes. The student-supported program demonstrated consistently high performance for the VTE-1 and VTE-5 measures. Conclusion. Student pharmacists have opportunities in improving inpatient quality measures and can play a significant role in patient care through thorough evaluation and intervention.

Postoperative infection in spine surgery: does the month matter?

The relationship between time of year and surgical site infection (SSI) following neurosurgical procedures is poorly understood. Authors of previous reports have demonstrated that rates of SSI following neurosurgical procedures performed during the summer months were higher compared with rates during other seasons. It is unclear, however, if this difference was related to climatological changes or inexperienced medical trainees (the July effect). The aim of this study was to evaluate for seasonal variation of SSI following spine surgery in a network of nonteaching community hospitals. The authors analyzed 6 years of prospectively collected surveillance data (January 1, 2007, to December 31, 2012) from all laminectomies and spinal fusions from 20 hospitals in the Duke Infection Control Outreach Network of community hospitals. Surgical site infections were defined using National Healthcare Safety Network criteria and identified using standardized methods across study hospitals. Regression models were then constructed using Poisson distribution to evaluate for seasonal trends by month. Each analysis was first performed for all SSIs and then for SSIs caused by specific organisms or classes of organisms. Categorical analysis was performed using two separate definitions of summer: June through September (definition 1), and July through September (definition 2). The prevalence rate of SSIs during the summer was compared with the prevalence rate during the remainder of the year by calculating prevalence rate ratios and 95% confidence intervals. The authors identified 642 SSIs following 57,559 neurosurgical procedures (overall prevalence rate = 1.11/100 procedures); 215 occurred following 24,466 laminectomies (prevalence rate = 0.88/100 procedures), and 427 following 33,093 spinal fusions (prevalence rate = 1.29/100 procedures). Common causes of SSI were Staphylococcus aureus (n = 380; 59%), coagulase-negative staphylococci (n = 90; 14%), and Escherichia coli (n = 41; 6.4%). Poisson regression models demonstrated increases in the rates of SSI during each of the summer months for all SSIs and SSIs due to gram-positive cocci, S. aureus, and methicillin-sensitive S. aureus. Categorical analysis confirmed that the rate of SSI during the 4-month summer period was higher than the rate during the remainder of the year, regardless of which definition for summer was used (definition 1, p = 0.008; definition 2, p = 0.003). Similarly, the rates of SSI due to grampositive cocci and S. aureus were higher during the summer months than the remainder of the year regardless of which definition of summer was used. However, the rate of SSI due to gram-negative bacilli was not. The rate of SSI following fusion or spinal laminectomy/laminoplasty was higher during the summer in this network of community hospitals. The increase appears to be related to increases in SSIs caused by gram-positive cocci and, more specifically, S. aureus. Given the nonteaching nature of these hospitals, the findings demonstrate that increases in the rate of SSI during the summer are more likely related to ecological and/or environmental factors than the July effect.

Student Pharmacists’ Clinical Interventions in Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experiences at a Community Nonteaching Hospital

To assess student pharmacists' clinical interventions in advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs) at a community nonteaching hospital and evaluate completed interventions based on the type of documentation method used. Clinical interventions of 120 fourth-year (P4) student pharmacists in advanced institutional, medication safety, or internal medicine APPEs were collected over a 3½-year period. Clinical interventions were analyzed for cost savings, intervention type, and acceptance rates. A secondary analysis of paper-based vs electronic-based documentation of completed interventions was performed. There were 2,170 clinical interventions attempted with an acceptance rate of 97%. The estimated cost savings was $280,297. A comparable number of interventions and cost savings per student was observed between paper-based and electronic-based documentation methods. Student pharmacists at a community nonteaching hospital have many opportunities for participation in patient-centered activities, and for interaction and collaboration with other healthcare professionals. They can significantly benefit patient care through clinical interventions, while also contributing to cost savings for the institution.

Abstract W MP12: Changing Policies for Blood Pressure Management in Spontaneous Intracerebral Hemorrhage

Background: Current American Heart Association guidelines for targeted blood pressure management in spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), published in 2010, suggest a target mean arterial pressure of less than 110 or a blood pressure of less than 160/90 in patients without elevated intracranial pressure. These guidelines acknowledge that these recommendations have been based on incomplete efficacy evidence. A lower level recommendation was given for reducing target blood pressure to a systolic of 140, based on the INTERACT trial published in 2008. The INTERACT2 trial, published in May 2013, has been interpreted to establish the safety of rapid blood pressure lowering to 140 systolic. Purpose: To determine the current level of adoption by stroke centers of lower targets for blood pressure in patients with spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage, and whether these targets have changed in 2013. Methods: We developed a web-based survey that was distributed via email and professional groups to stroke advanced practice nurses and stroke program coordinators. The survey asked specific questions regarding changes in clinical practice and stroke center policies on blood pressure management in spontaneous ICH. The survey was anonymous, and the survey software was able to exclude multiple entries from the same computer. Results: Responses were obtained from academic medical centers, community teaching hospitals, and community non-teaching hospitals. Awareness of the results of INTERACT2 was known by 65%, 50%, and 31% of stroke nurses at these hospitals, respectively. Targets for systolic blood pressure were changed in 2013 at 46%, 44%, and 11% of hospitals by group. A time target to lower blood pressure of less than one hour was adopted by 57%, 46%, and 28% respectively. Conclusion: Stroke centers have rapidly adopted changes in blood pressure management in intracerebral hemorrhage in advance of guideline revisions. Non-teaching hospitals were less likely to adopt these changes.

Influence of Neonatal Practice Variation on Outcomes of Late Preterm Birth

Examine variation in short-term outcomes of late preterm births (34(0/7)-36(6/7) weeks) between a university teaching hospital, teaching community hospital, and nonteaching community hospital. Review of maternal and newborn data from a random sample of late preterm births at three hospitals in North Carolina from 2008 to 2009. Outcomes included length of stay, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, respiratory support, antibiotic exposure, phototherapy exposure, and hypoglycemia. We analyzed data from 331 singleton late preterm newborns: 93 (28.1%) from a university teaching hospital, 110 (33.2%) from a teaching community hospital, and 128 (38.7%) from a nonteaching community hospital. Mean gestational age did not vary between hospitals. NICU admission, exposure to antibiotics, and phototherapy were more common at the university teaching hospital after controlling for risk factors, yet length of stay was shortest at the university teaching hospital and longest at the teaching community hospital after adjustment. Practice variation contributes to differences in length of stay, NICU admission, and exposure to antibiotics and phototherapy among late preterm newborns. Differences in practice during the birth hospitalization may affect outcomes and health care utilization (e.g., readmission) after discharge.