Veterans Healthcare Research Articles

Research Priorities to Support Women Veterans' Reproductive Health and Health Care Within a Learning Health Care System.

Research Priorities to Support Women Veterans' Reproductive Health and Health Care Within a Learning Health Care System.

Outcomes in Patients With Curative Malignancies Receiving Filgrastim as Primary Prophylaxis.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor prophylaxis has been shown to reduce the risk and duration of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia and febrile neutropenia and is recommended for at-risk patients receiving chemotherapy. Within the South Texas Veterans Health Care System, daily filgrastim injections remain the preferred formulation of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor for primary prophylaxis of febrile neutropenia. This retrospective, single-center cohort study included 59 patients who received daily filgrastim as primary prophylaxis with a curative cancer diagnosis and a chemotherapy regimen at the South Texas Veterans Health Care System from September 1, 2015 to September 24, 2020. Patients had either a high risk for febrile neutropenia or a chemotherapy regimen with an intermediate risk for febrile neutropenia and additional risk factors. The primary outcome was the incidence of neutropenia/febrile neutropenia leading to treatment delays. Secondary outcomes included chemotherapy dose decreases or discontinuations, hospitalizations, days of hospitalization, infections, extended duration of filgrastim, and transitions to pegfilgrastim due to neutropenia/febrile neutropenia. Patients received a median (IQR) of 7 (5-10) doses of filgrastim for primary prophylaxis. Overall, 10 patients (17%) experienced treatment delays due to neutropenia/febrile neutropenia. Fifteen patients (25%) were hospitalized with a median (IQR) length of stay of 5 (4-7) days, 9 patients (15%) had documented infections, and 2 patients (3%) required a chemotherapy dose reduction. Additionally, 9 patients (15%) required an additional median (IQR) of 2 (2-5) doses of filgrastim, and 9 (15%) patients were transitioned to pegfilgrastim. These results suggest that additional measures such as tracking postnadir absolute neutrophil counts should be performed to ensure patients receive an appropriate number of filgrastim doses to prevent complications associated with neutropenia/febrile neutropenia.

What is the impact of veterans affairs rotations in oral and maxillofacial surgery residency?

Oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMS) residencies commonly affiliate with Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMC) to extend care for veterans. This study quantifies the surgical experience of residents at the Corporal Michael J. Crescenz (CMC) VAMC in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and determines the number of programs affiliated with VA Medical Centers, to enumerate the educational benefits and improve veteran healthcare. The dental project manager logs from 2012 through 2021 of the CMC VAMC operating room were analyzed, and cases were categorized into 12 groups. The implant cases from 2012 through 2021 were quantified. Program affiliations were determined using a VA Office of Academic Affiliation report. There were 1359 procedures (760 cases) performed. Dentoalveolar (n=967) was the most common category, and extractions (n=384) were the most common procedure. The least cases and procedures were performed in 2012 (n=14; n=23). The most cases were performed in 2019 (n=137), and the most procedures were performed in 2019 and 2021 (n=255). There were 3133 implants placed. There are 40 OMS programs affiliated with VA Medical Centers; more dual degree (n=24) than single degree (n=16) programs having an affiliation. The CMC VAMC offers robust dentoalveolar experience and is increasing in surgical volume, representing the expected needs of an aging veteran population. An increasing budget and millions of eligible veterans indicates VA medical centers nationally will continue to provide valuable surgical experiences.

Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on nonpharmacological pain management trials in military and veteran healthcare settings: an evaluation informed by implementation science.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic disrupted healthcare and clinical research, including a suite of 11 pragmatic clinical trials (PCTs), across clinics within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Department of Defense (DOD). These PCTs were designed to evaluate an array of nonpharmacological treatments and models of care for treatment of patients with pain and co-occurring conditions. The aims of the study are to (a) describe modifications to PCTs and interventions to address the evolving pandemic and (b) describe the application of implementation science methods for evaluation of those PCT modifications. The project used a two-phase, sequential, mixed-methods design. In Phase I, we captured PCT disruptions and modifications via a Research Electronic Data Capture questionnaire, using Periodic Reflections methods as a guide. In Phase II, we utilized the Framework for Reporting Adaptations and Modifications-Expanded (FRAME) taxonomy to develop a focus group interview guide and checklist that would provide more in-depth data than Phase I. Data were analyzed using directed content analysis. Phase I revealed that all PCTs made between two and six trial modifications. Phase II, FRAME-guided analyses showed that the key goals for modifying interventions were increasing treatment feasibility and decreasing patient exposure to COVID-19, while preserving intervention core elements. Context (format) modifications led eight PCTs to modify parts of the interventions for virtual delivery. Content modifications added elements to enhance patient safety; tailored interventions for virtual delivery (counseling, exercise, mindfulness); and modified interventions involving manual therapies. Implementation science methods identified near-real-time disruptions and modifications to PCTs focused on pain management in veteran and military healthcare settings.

41 Prevalence of Diabetes Among Veterans by Sexual Orientation

OBJECTIVES/GOALS: There is evidence that lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults have poorer cardiovascular health than their heterosexual peers, but studies of the association between sexual orientation (SO) and diabetes mellitus (DM) have been few with mixed findings. To further investigate this association, large cohorts with objective data capture are needed. METHODS/STUDY POPULATION: We used data from the Veterans Healthcare Administration Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender EHR cohort which includes veterans with at least 2 encounters October 1, 2009-September 30, 2019. The first clinic visit in this window was the index date with the baseline date one year later; the intervening year served as a baseline period for observation of prevalent disease and comorbidities. We did not include transgender veterans in this analysis in order to focus on SO rather than on the intersection of SO with gender identity. The SO of 1,108,990 veterans was identified using a natural language processing tool; 185,788 veterans were classified as LGB. We first examined sample characteristics by sex and SO and then used logistic regression to assess the association between SO and prevalent DM. RESULTS/ANTICIPATED RESULTS: DM was present among 193,330 veterans (32,986 LGB). Mean age was similar across SO in women (41) and men (53). Distribution of race was similar across groups, but LGB veterans were more likely to be Hispanic (11%, both sexes) than non-LGB men (6%) and women (8%). Current smoking was more prevalent among LGB (44% men, 39% women) than non-LGB veterans (40% men, 30% women). Adjusting for age, sex, race, Hispanic ethnicity, BMI, smoking status, health insurance, marital status, and enrollment priority, LGB veterans had 1.12 [1.10, 1.13] times the odds of DM vs. non-LGB veterans. Bisexual (0.87 [0.74, 1.01]) or lesbian (1.03 [0.97, 1.10]) women did not have significantly different DM odds than non-LGB women. Bisexual men had lower DM odds (0.86 [0.80, 0.93]) while gay men had higher odds (1.04 [1.01, 1.06]) than non-LGB men. DISCUSSION/SIGNIFICANCE: This is one of the first studies to report DM in a veteran cohort stratified by SO. Our findings highlight the importance of examining SO groups separately and jointly, as to further elucidate the association between SO, cardiovascular risk factors, and general cardiovascular health. Future work will examine the intersection of SO and gender identity.

Impact of Finasteride on Survival in Bladder Cancer: A Retrospective Multi-institutional Database Analysis.

Androgen suppression therapy has been associated with a lower incidence of bladder cancer (BCa) or improved overall/cancer-specific survival. Results are ofent conflicting; therefore, we aim to assess the impact of use of finasteride on overall survival (OS) for BCa using multi-institutional database. The South Texas Veterans Healthcare System from 5 medical centers was queried for patients with BCa with or without use of finasteride after diagnosis of BCa. The primary outcome was the impact of finasteride use after diagnosis on the OS in BCa and in the high-risk Non-muscle invasive BCa (NMIBC) cohort. A total of 1890 patients were included, amongst which 619 (32.8%) men were classified as finasteride users and 1271 (67.2%) men as controls. At a median (IQR) follow up of 53.8 (27.4, 90.9) months, death due to any cause was noted in 272 (43.9%) finasteride-treated, and 672 (49.3%) control groups (P=.028). The patients in the finasteride group had significantly better OS in overall cohort (112.1 months vs. 84.8 months, P < .001) as well as in the NMIBC cohort (129.3months vs. 103.2 months, P=.0046). The use of finasteride was independently associated with improved OS in both, overall cohort (HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.63-0.86; P < .001) and in the NMIBC cohort (HR=0.71, 95% CI 0.55-0.93; P=.011). Finasteride use is associated with the improved overall survival in patients with BCa, specifically in patients with NMIBC. We, further, propose a randomized clinical trial to investigate the use of finasteride in BCa patients.

Enhancing Mental and Physical Health of Women through Engagement and Retention (EMPOWER) 2.0 QUERI: study protocol for a cluster-randomized hybrid type 3 effectiveness-implementation trial

BackgroundWomen Veterans are the fastest-growing segment of Veterans Health Administration (VA) users. The VA has invested heavily in delivering care for women Veterans that is effective, comprehensive, and gender-tailored. However, gender disparities persist in cardiovascular (CV) and diabetes risk factor control, and the rate of perinatal depression among women Veterans is higher than that among civilian women. Challenges such as distance, rurality, negative perception of VA, discrimination (e.g., toward sexual and/or gender minority individuals), and harassment on VA grounds can further impede women’s regular use of VA care. Enhancing Mental and Physical Health of Women through Engagement and Retention (EMPOWER) 2.0 builds on work to date by expanding access to evidence-based, telehealth preventive and mental health services for women Veterans with high-priority health conditions in rural and urban-isolation areas.MethodsEMPOWER 2.0 will evaluate two implementation strategies, Replicating Effective Practices (REP) and Evidence-Based Quality Improvement (EBQI), in supporting the implementation and sustainment of three evidence-based interventions (Virtual Diabetes Prevention Program; Telephone Lifestyle Coaching Program; and Reach Out, Stay Strong Essentials) focused on preventive and mental health care for women Veterans. We will conduct a mixed-methods implementation evaluation using a cluster-randomized hybrid type 3 effectiveness-implementation trial design to compare the effectiveness of REP and EBQI on improved access to and rates of engagement in telehealth preventive lifestyle and mental health services. Other outcomes of interest include (a) VA performance metrics for telehealth care delivery and related clinical outcomes; (b) progression along the Stages of Implementation Completion; (c) adaptation, sensemaking, and experiences of implementation among multilevel stakeholders; and (d) cost and return on investment. We will also generate implementation playbooks for program partners to support scale-up and spread of these and future evidence-based women’s health programs and policies.DiscussionEMPOWER 2.0 provides a model for mixed-methods hybrid type 3 effectiveness-implementation trial design incorporating evaluation of performance metrics, implementation progress, stakeholder experience, and cost and return on investment, with the ultimate goal of improving access to evidence-based preventive and mental telehealth services for women Veterans with high-priority health conditions.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov, NCT05050266. Registered on 20 September 2021.

Abstract P188: Diabetes Prevalence and its Risk Factors Among Veterans by Sexual Orientation

Introduction: There is evidence that lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults have poorer cardiovascular health than their heterosexual peers, but studies of the association between sexual orientation (SO) and diabetes mellitus (DM) have been few. Prior studies have largely been cross-sectional, rely on self-reported data, and have small sample size; findings have been mixed. To further investigate this association, large nationwide cohorts with objective data capture are needed. Methods and Results: We used data from the Veterans Healthcare Administration Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender EHR cohort which includes veterans with ≥2 encounters October 1, 2009-September 30, 2019. The first clinic visit in this window was the index date with the baseline date one year later; the subsequent year served as a baseline period for observation of prevalent disease and comorbidities. We did not include transgender veterans in this analysis in order to focus on SO rather than on the intersection of SO with gender identity. The SO of 1,108,990 veterans was identified using a natural language processing tool; 185,788 veterans were classified as LGB. Prevalent DM (ICD-9/10 codes or HbA1c≥6.5%) was present among 193,330 veterans (32,986 LGB). We first examined sample characteristics by sex and SO. Mean age (years) and BMI (kg/m 2 ) were similar across SO in women (age: 41, BMI: 29) and men (age: 53, BMI: 30). Although the distribution of race was similar across groups, LGB men and women were more likely to be of Hispanic ethnicity (11%, both sexes) than non-LGB men and women (6% and 8%, respectively). Current smoking was more prevalent among LGB (44% men, 39% women) than among non-LGB veterans (40% men, 30% women). We used logistic regression to assess the association between SO and DM. Adjusting for age, sex, race, Hispanic ethnicity, BMI, smoking status, health insurance, marital status, and enrollment priority group (based on military service history, disability and income), LGB veterans had 1.12 [1.10, 1.13] times the odds of DM versus non-LGB veterans. Among women, those classified as bisexual (0.87 [0.74, 1.01]) or lesbian (1.03 [0.97, 1.10]) did not have significantly different odds of DM than non-LGB women. Among men, bisexual men had lower odds of DM (0.86 [0.80, 0.93]) while gay men had higher odds (1.04 [1.01, 1.06]) than non-LGB men. In both men and women, sexual minority individuals whose SO could not be classified had greater odds of DM than their non-LGB peers (women: 1.15 [1.08, 1.23]; men: 1.25 [1.22, 1.28]). Conclusion: This is one of the first studies to examine DM in a veteran population stratified by SO. Our sex-specific findings highlight the importance of examining each SO group separately, in addition to jointly, as to further elucidate the association between SO, cardiovascular risk factors, and general cardiovascular health. Future work will examine the intersection of SO with gender identity.

Continuing the transformation: charting the path for the future delivery of Veteran emergency care.

Important changes in the delivery of Veteran emergency care in the early 2000s in the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) emergency departments and urgent care clinics substantially elevated the role of emergency medicine (EM) in Veteran health care. Focused on enhancing the quality of care, emergency care visits in both VA and non-VA (community) care locations have nearly doubled from the 1980s to more than 3 million visits in Fiscal Year 2022. Recognizing the need to plan for continued growth and the opportunity to address key research priorities, the VA Office of Emergency Medicine, together with the VA Health Services Research and Development Service, collaborated to convene a State of the Art Conference on Veteran Emergency Medicine (SAVE) in the winter of 2022. The goal of this conference was to identify research gaps and priorities for implementation of policies for three priority groups: geriatric Veterans, Veterans with mental health and substance use complaints, and Veterans presenting to non-VA (community) emergency care sites. In this article we discuss the rationale for the SAVE conference including a brief history of VA EM and the planning process and conclude with next steps for findings from the conference.

Development of a brief support and education intervention for loved ones of veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder.

Clinical practice guidelines for managing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) encourage incorporating loved ones into treatment, and supportive relationships can increase engagement in mental health care for veterans with PTSD. This study describes the iterative refinement, feasibility/acceptability testing, and national dissemination of a brief support and psychoeducation intervention for loved ones of veterans with PTSD. Loved ones (n = 181; range:1-11 per group) attended and qualitatively rated "PTSD 101 for Family and Friends: A Support and Education Workshop." Open-ended questions were used to gather data on suggestions for improvement and descriptions of helpful content, and the workshop was refined following participant and operational partner feedback using a quality improvement framework. Rating quantitative items on a 1-5 scale, participants found the overall quality (M = 4.76) and relevance (M = 4.82) to be excellent, noting they learned substantial new information (M = 4.45). Sense of support (M = 4.95), intentions to use the material (M = 4.87), PTSD self-efficacy (M = 4.41), and understanding of PTSD (M = 4.76) were rated favorably. Common themes among helpful elements were a sense of shared experience and optimism and increased knowledge of treatments/resources. Suggestions for improvement referenced logistics. Following continual stakeholder feedback and refinement, the workshop represents a novel method for providing loved ones with empirically supported psychoeducation, coping skills, and community. It is being disseminated by the Family Services Section of the Veterans Health Administration Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention.

Lessons From the Front Line of Fighting Gender Inequity

Ideas and OpinionsFebruary 2023Lessons From the Front Line of Fighting Gender InequityLuci K. Leykum, MD, MBA, MScLuci K. Leykum, MD, MBA, MScSouth Texas Veterans Health Care System, Harbor Health Team, and Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas (L.K.L.)Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/M22-3213 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail In 2019, I filed a federal lawsuit against my then employer alleging both a violation of the Equal Pay Act of 1963 and its retaliation in response to my speaking up about my salary. The actions that led to the lawsuit began in 2016. I sought legal counsel soon thereafter but was reluctant to take formal action. My lawyers warned me that I could be isolated within my institution, and that efforts would likely be made to negatively portray me. Legal action might drag on for years, greatly favoring the institution with its deep pockets and expertise. Future potential employers ...

The American Journal of Gastroenterology: Reflections on 2022 and the Road Ahead

1University of North Carolina, School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; 2Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and Central Virginia Veterans Healthcare System, Richmond, Virginia, USA.

Multisite Agricultural Veterans Affairs Farming and Recovery Mental Health Services (VA FARMS) Pilot Program: Protocol for a Responsive Mixed Methods Evaluation Study

Veterans Affairs Farming and Recovery Mental Health Services (VA FARMS) is an innovative pilot program to provide supportive resources for veterans with interests in agricultural vocations. Implemented at 10 pilot sites, VA FARMS will provide mental health services and resources for veterans while supporting training in gardening and agriculture. As each pilot site project has unique goals, outreach strategies, and implementation efforts based on the local environment and veteran population, evaluating the pilot program provides a unique challenge for evaluators. This paper describes the protocol to evaluate VA FARMS, which was specifically designed to enable site variation by providing both site-specific and cross-site understanding of site implementation processes and outcomes. The objectives of this paper are to (1) describe the protocol used for evaluating VA FARMS, as an innovative Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) agriculturally based, mental health, and employment pilot program serving veterans at 10 pilot sites across the Veterans Health Administration enterprise; and (2) provide guidance to other evaluators assessing innovative programs. This evaluation uses the context, inputs, process, product (CIPP) model, which evaluates a program's content and implementation to identify strengths and areas for improvement. Data collection will use a concurrent mixed methods approach. Quantitative data collection will involve quarterly program surveys, as well as three individual veteran participant surveys administered upon the veteran's entrance and exit of the pilot program and 3 months postexit. Quantitative data will include baseline descriptive statistics and follow-up statistics on veteran health care utilization, health care status, and agriculture employment status. Qualitative data collection will include participant observation at each pilot site, and interviews with participants, staff, and community stakeholders. Qualitative data will provide insights about pilot program implementation processes, veterans' experiences, and short-term participation outcomes. Evaluation efforts began in December 2018 and are ongoing. Between October 2018 and September 2020, 494 veterans had enrolled in VA FARMS and 1326 veterans were reached through program activities such as demonstrations, informational presentations, and town-hall discussions. A total of 1623 community members and 655 VA employees were similarly reached by VA FARMS programming during that time. Data were collected between October 2018 and September 2020 in the form of 336 veteran surveys, 30 veteran interviews, 27 staff interviews, and 11 community partner interviews. Data analysis is expected to be completed by October 2022. This evaluation protocol will provide guidance to other evaluators assessing innovative programs. In its application to the VA FARMS pilot, the evaluation aims to add to existing literature on nature-based therapies and the rehabilitation outcomes of agricultural training programs for veterans. Results will provide programmatic insights on the implementation of pilot programs, along with needed improvements and modifications for the future expansion of VA FARMS and other veteran-focused agricultural programs. DERR1-10.2196/40496.

Military Veterans' End of Life: Supporting Them in Their Last Deployment.

More than 600,000 U.S. Veterans die from illness each year. Clinicians in civilian settings are increasingly providing care to Veterans at end of life. Veteran care should be distinctive and individualized to meet their unique needs. There is limited information to guide civilian clinicians in providing care to Veterans at end of life. This article provides bio-psycho-social information to holistically guide Veteran healthcare and assist them with solace, respect, and serenity at end of life. Various options for end-of-life care are discussed, as well as specific concerns of women, lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender Veterans. Some end-of-life entitlements for all Veterans and sometimes their spouses/children are included.

A Multi-State Analysis of the Fiscal and Social Impact of Commercial Insurance Coverage for Recreational Prostheses in the United States

Despite overwhelming evidence that physical activity is critical for health [1][2], prosthetic devices designed for recreational activities such as running, biking, and swimming are excluded from the vast majority of insurance coverage plans in the United States. Unlike devices designed for walking, recreational prosthetic devices are specifically designed for recreational activities. Using walking-specific devices for recreation has been shown to fail under excessive strain and cause long-term physical and behavioral negative side effects [3][4]. Exceptions in coverage for these devices currently exist in the United States’ Veteran healthcare system, or are undergoing revision through various state legislative initiatives. Maine and New Mexico recently passed bills into law, while Colorado (CO), Connecticut (CT), and Illinois (IL) have bills in process applicable to commercial insurance plans [5]. The objective of this policy review is to analyze current applicable policies, available actuarial data and 2022 US Census population data to determine the fiscal and social impact of bills under consideration during the 2023 Legislative Session [6][7]. As a result, the increased per month per member (PMPM) to cover these devices was calculated to estimate the relevant state’s fiscal impact: CO: House Bill (HB) 23-1136 is conservatively calculated at $0.01- $0.08 CT: planned fall 2023 proposed bill is conservatively calculated at $0.01- $0.11 IL: Illinois Senate Bill (SB) 2195 is conservatively calculated at $0.01 - $0.37 These estimated costs are less than 0.04% of the annual average amount spent on healthcare (per capita) in the United States ($10,000) [8]. Despite spending the highest amount per capita among first-world countries, the United States has the lowest life expectancy. This disparity highlights the need to reconsider preventative health services not currently covered, likely attributing to the high cost per capita in the US. Based on these findings, expanding insurance coverage to recreational prosthetic devices in Colorado, Connecticut, and Illinois would result in potential short and long term physical and behavioral health benefits as relevant social impacts. Consequently, the current definition of "medical necessity" should be expanded by the commercial insurance industry based on recent research [9].

IMPLEMENTING A HYBRID TELEHEALTH HOME-BASED TRANSITIONAL CARE PROGRAM: PRE-IMPLEMENTATION CHALLENGES

Abstract The reach of home-based clinical programs for medically complex, older adults can be limited by geographic scope. Implementing telehealth versions can expand reach but create constraints for comprehensive assessments and technological barriers for users. We describe challenges and lessons learned during the pre-implementation period for the randomized trial of a hybrid video -modality of the Geriatrics Resources for Assessment and Care for Elders (GRACE) Program at the Indianapolis Veterans Health Care System. In TeleGRACE, a health technician makes home visits to facilitate clinical activities (e.g., medication reconciliation) using telehealth technology for a clinical team (social worker, nurse practitioner) who conduct the visits remotely. Data used in this one-year pre-implementation evaluation included: periodic reflections with the clinical and evaluation staff, planning and interdisciplinary team meeting fieldnotes, and interviews with clinical team members. Data were summarized by selected constructs from the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research; implementation challenges and problem solving were identified. Pre-implementation challenges occurred in: assuring assessment devices worked correctly for and were trusted by staff (e.g., connectivity, virtual stethoscope), technician fit with existing GRACE team, ensuring technician welfare (e.g., COVID-19 exposure, guns in the home), caseload balance amid staffing shortages, travel logistics, and sampling to adequately power the trial. Building on an existing strong team dynamic and a culture of feedback for quality improvement, challenges were addressed through pilot-testing, monitoring for barriers and impacts, and group reflecting conversations. Adaptations to the initial plan resulted in a more focused and targeted implementation effort to test the model and its effectiveness.

1190. Effect of Pulsed Xenon Ultraviolet Light (PX-UV) on Clonal Recovery of Escherichia coli in a Prospective, Sham-controlled, Double-blinded, Interventional, Crossover Trial Conducted in Two Detroit Hospitals

Abstract Background Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) can be caused by some multidrug-resistant Escherichia coli, most commonly due to production of an extended spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL), and lead to increased morbidity and mortality. Pulsed Xenon Ultraviolet light (PX-UV), in combination with terminal cleaning, has been shown to improve disinfection and has the potential to lower HAIs by reducing the horizontal spread of infections in hospitals. Here, we assess the effect of PX-UV on the clonal recovery pattern of several E. coli sequence types (STs) using Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS). Methods A prospective, sham-controlled, double-blinded, interventional, crossover trial was conducted to compare standard terminal cleaning with PX-UV (intervention, Group Q) and standard terminal cleaning with sham UV (control, Group W) in 2 Detroit hospitals from 2017 to 2020. Treatments lasted 12 months before crossover, with a 6-month washout period in between (Group R) during which UV was not used. A total of 67 E. coli samples were collected. WGS of the isolates was performed using the Nextseq 550 (Illumina). After de novo assembly, BioNumerics calculation engine (v7.6) was used to complete Whole Genome Multilocus Sequence Type (wgMLST) analysis, assembly free and assembly-based call, and construction of minimum spanning tree (MST). Results The total number of different STs found for the intervention UV device group (Q) and the sham UV device group (W) was 6 while the washout group (R) was 5. Out of the 9 total STs obtained, the most common was ST131 (Table 1). In Group Q, 11 of ST131 were found; 15 were found in Group W. During the washout period (R) 17 of ST131 were found. All other STs had 3 or less circulating clusters. After UV treatment ST1193, ST399, and ST7394 were not recovered. Fig. 1:Minimum spanning tree (MST) for E. coliTable 1:Total number of each sequence type (ST) per treatment group Conclusion During UV intervention 3 different STs (ST1193, ST399, ST7394) were not recovered, but there were negligible changes to the frequency of recovery of the other 6 STs as compared to sham UV treatment. ST131 was the dominant E. coli ST found in Detroit, which is consistent with previously published data stating ST131 as the predominant strain. While PX-UV has previously demonstrated effectiveness on decreasing bioburden, our data does not indicate any remarkable change in clonality and prevalence of E. coli STs after PX-UV use. Disclosures Piyali Chatterjee, PhD, AHRQ Grant # 1R03HS027667-01: Grant/Research Support|AHRQ Grant # 1R03HS027667-01: Central Texas Veterans Health Care System Keith S. Kaye, MD, MPH, Allecra: Advisor/Consultant|GlaxoSmithKline plc.: Receiving symposia honoraria|GlaxoSmithKline plc.: GlaxoSmithKline plc.-sponsored study 212502|Merck: Advisor/Consultant|qpex: Advisor/Consultant|Shionogi: Grant/Research Support|Spero: Advisor/Consultant Chetan Jinadatha, MD, MPH, AHRQ R01 Grant-5R01HS025598: Grant/Research Support|EOS Surfaces: Copper Coupons and materials for testing.

323. Comparing Two Whole Genome Sequencing Bioinformatic Software for Identifying Enterococcal Antibiotic-Resistant Genes

Abstract Background Enterococci are leading causes of infections, and many strains are multidrug-resistant. Identification of antibiotic resistance can be achieved either phenotypically using Clinical &amp; Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) cut-offs, or genotypically using whole genome sequencing (WGS). Here we compare the output from two software pipelines: EPISEQ CSTM (BIOMÉRIEUX, Marcy l ‘Etoile, France) and ResFinder to understand the similarities and differences in their ability to identify antibiotic resistance genes. Methods We performed WGS on 89 clinical isolates of Enterococci (both E. faecalis and faecium) from two distinct tertiary care Detroit hospitals admitted to 16 intensive care units (ICU) and non-ICU wards between 2017-2019. WGS was performed using the NextSeq (Illumina Inc., CA) and analyzed using two bioinformatics pipelines mentioned above. The antibiotic resistance outputs were compared to identify both similarities and differences. Results There was a significant difference in the genetic mutation output from both software. EPISEQ was able to identify 13 &amp; 15 different genetic mutations for Enterococcus faecalis and faecium respectively which were not identified by ResFinder (Table 1). There were 9 &amp; 12 common genetic mutations for Enterococcus faecalis and faecium respectively which were identified by both software. ResFinder was able to identify only two different gene mutations which were not identified by EPISEQ. Table 1:Genetic mutations identified by EPISEQ and ResFinder arranged by resistance to its respective drug class. Conclusion The ability to identify different genetic mutations by both software products likely depends on databases used to determine the antibiotic resistant genes. EPISEQ CS uses 4 different databases (including ResFinder) as well as other proprietary databases making it more sensitive, thereby able to identify more genetic mutations compared to ResFinder alone. The costs for analyzing the WGS data through proprietary software is steep compared to open-source software. Standards metrics and methods for interpretations are needed before these methods can be adapted for clinical applications. Further studies are needed to understand the value of identifying these additional genes by comparing it to phenotypic susceptibilities. Disclosures Piyali Chatterjee, PhD, AHRQ Grant # 1R03HS027667-01: Grant/Research Support|AHRQ Grant # 1R03HS027667-01: Central Texas Veterans Health Care System Keith S. Kaye, MD, MPH, Allecra: Advisor/Consultant|GlaxoSmithKline plc.: Receiving symposia honoraria|GlaxoSmithKline plc.: GlaxoSmithKline plc.-sponsored study 212502|Merck: Advisor/Consultant|qpex: Advisor/Consultant|Shionogi: Grant/Research Support|Spero: Advisor/Consultant Chetan Jinadatha, MD, MPH, AHRQ R01 Grant-5R01HS025598: Grant/Research Support|EOS Surfaces: Copper Coupons and materials for testing.

2048. Molecular Characterization and Resistance Factors of Circulating Acinetobacter baumannii isolates in South-East Michigan

Abstract Background Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAb) is increasing due to widespread use of antibiotics. Multidrug resistant (MDR) CRAb is a major threat to public health as treatment options are limited. The objective of this study is to elucidate the molecular epidemiology of circulating antibiotic resistance genes causing MDR CRAb infections by using a combination of whole-genome Multi-Locus Sequence Typing (wgMLST) and antibiotic susceptibility phenotyping. Table 1.Molecular characterization of MDR CRAb isolates*The numbers indicate % of sequence identity match for each Beta-lactamase gene. Methods Bacterial isolates were derived from cultures taken from subjects 48 hours following admission as part of routine clinical care for patients between 2017-2020. Isolates were obtained from 16 hospital units (both ICU and non-ICU) across two hospitals in the Detroit area. Whole Genome Sequencing (WGS) was performed using Illumina MiniSeq or Nextseq. WgMLST analysis was performed using BioNumerics software v7.6. ResFinder software was used for analysis of antibiotic resistance genes. Isolates underwent antibiotic susceptibility testing using a broth microdilution method (VITEK2) and Clinical &amp; Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) cut offs. Results Out of the 95 total isolates, 51(54%) were CRAb isolates and of the CRAb isolates, 21(41%) were MDR CRAb. WgMLST identified that majority of the circulating MDR CRAb isolates belonged to ST2Pas (ST195Ox and ST208Ox) based on CDC definitions (Table 1). MDR CRAb isolates were resistant to 3 different classes of antibiotics including aminoglycosides, fluroquinolones and β-lactams. β-lactamase genes present include (blaADC-25, blaOXA-23, blaOXA-66 and blaTEM1D) for both ST195Ox and ST208Ox and (blaADC-25, blaOXA-23 and blaOXA-223) for ST406Pas (ST310Ox). Among the patients with MDR CRAb infections, most were males with respiratory infections in a non-ICU setting. Conclusion The study demonstrated a high proportion of isolates belonged to ST2 Pas carrying multiple beta-lactamase genes including blaOXA-23 gene. ST406Pas might be an emerging lineage carrying the blaOXA-23 gene. In addition to stringent infection control measures, continuous surveillance is recommended in limiting the spread of MDR CRAb isolates in the healthcare settings. Disclosures Chetan Jinadatha, MD, MPH, AHRQ R01 Grant-5R01HS025598: Grant/Research Support|EOS Surfaces: Copper Coupons and materials for testing Keith S. Kaye, MD, MPH, Allecra: Advisor/Consultant|GlaxoSmithKline plc.: Receiving symposia honoraria|GlaxoSmithKline plc.: GlaxoSmithKline plc.-sponsored study 212502|Merck: Advisor/Consultant|qpex: Advisor/Consultant|Shionogi: Grant/Research Support|Spero: Advisor/Consultant Piyali Chatterjee, PhD, AHRQ Grant # 1R03HS027667-01: Grant/Research Support|AHRQ Grant # 1R03HS027667-01: Central Texas Veterans Health Care System.

137. Comparison of genotypic resistance pattern between Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis to better understand the occurrence of mutations.

Abstract Background Enterococcus is one of the major causes of nosocomial infections many with vancomycin resistance. About 50,000 infections are reported per year due to vancomycin-resistant Enterococci. Understanding the genotypic mutations can help recognize the potential burden for antibiotic resistance that exists in a population. In this study, using whole genome sequencing (WGS) we aim to analyze the prevalence of genetic resistance markers for commonly used antibiotics for Enterococcal treatment. Methods Whole genome sequencing was performed using the NextSeq (Illumina Inc., CA) on 60 isolates of E. faecium and 29 isolates of E. faecalis. The isolates were obtained from two different Detroit area hospitals from 2017-2019. The data from WGS was analyzed using EPISEQ CSTM (BIOMÉRIEUX, Marcy l ‘Etoile, France) bioinformatic database to obtain specific resistance genes which would correspond to commonly used antibiotics for treatment of Enterococcal infections. Results Among the 89 Enterococcus faecium and Enterococcus faecalis investigated, we identified a total of 33 unique resistance genes across 18 classes of antibiotics (Table 1). We detected genetic mutations efmA, pbp5, tet(L), liar, liaS unique to E. faecium and only emeA unique to E. faecalis. E. faecium and E. faecalis share 14 similar resistance genes. E. faecium and E. faecalis had 12 and 7 unique resistance genes, respectively but are of same drug classes. The most common antibiotic classes include aminoglycosides, tetracyclines, quinolones, beta-lactams, glycopeptides, macrolides, and pyrimidine analogs. Table 1:Enterococcus faecium and E. faecalis genetic mutations and drug class resistance Conclusion Enterococcus faecium had a greater number of resistance genes with glycopeptide, aminoglycoside, and beta lactam resistance when compared to Enterococcus faecalis. Whereas Enterococcus faecalis had more resistance genes associated with macrolides, tetracyclines, pyrimidine analogs, and Bactrim. In general, both appear to have many genes that encode for resistance to major classes of antibiotics which are used for treatment of Enterococcal infections. Further comparison with phenotypic susceptibility testing data would help better understand the practical implications of our resistance gene testing. Disclosures Piyali Chatterjee, PhD, AHRQ Grant # 1R03HS027667-01: Grant/Research Support|AHRQ Grant # 1R03HS027667-01: Central Texas Veterans Health Care System Keith S. Kaye, MD, MPH, Allecra: Advisor/Consultant|GlaxoSmithKline plc.: Receiving symposia honoraria|GlaxoSmithKline plc.: GlaxoSmithKline plc.-sponsored study 212502|Merck: Advisor/Consultant|qpex: Advisor/Consultant|Shionogi: Grant/Research Support|Spero: Advisor/Consultant Chetan Jinadatha, MD, MPH, AHRQ R01 Grant-5R01HS025598: Grant/Research Support|EOS Surfaces: Copper Coupons and materials for testing.