Explore the vast range of titles available.

Background: Bathing ICU patients with chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) decreases bloodstream infections and multidrug-resistant organism transmission. The efficacy of CHG bathing on skin microorganism reduction may be influenced by patient-level clinical factors. We assessed the impact of clinical factors on the recovery of microorganisms from the skin of patients admitted to an ICU who were receiving routine CHG bathing. Methods: We analyzed data obtained from 6 single-day point-prevalence surveys of adult ICU patients between January and October 2018 at 1 medical ICU, in the context of a CHG bathing quality initiative. Demographics and covariates were collected at the bedside and by chart review. Skin swabs were collected from neck, axilla, and inguinal regions and were plated to selective and nonselective media. Standard microbiologic methods were used for species identification and susceptibilities. Multivariable models included patients who received a CHG bath and accounted for clustering of body sites within patients. Results: Across all time points, 144 patients participated, yielding 429 skin swab samples. Mean age was 57 years (SD, 17); 49% were male; 44% had a central venous catheter; and 15% had a tracheostomy Also, 140 patients (97%) had >1 CHG bath prior to skin swab collection, with a median of 9 hours since their last CHG bath (IQR, 6–13 hours). Gram-positive bacteria were more commonly recovered than gram-negative or Candida spp across all skin sites (Table 1). Variation by body site was detected only for gram-positive bacteria, with recovery more common from the neck compared to axilla or groin sites. On multivariate logistic regression (Table 2), presence of central venous catheter was associated with lower odds of gram-positive bacteria recovery among those who received a CHG bath. Presence of tracheostomy was associated with a significantly higher odds of gram-negative bacteria detection on skin. No clinical factors were independently associated with recovery of Candida spp. Conclusions: Central venous catheter presence was associated with lower odds of gram-positive bacteria detection on skin, suggesting the possibility of higher quality CHG bathing among such patients. Tracheostomy presence was associated with greater odds of gram-negative bacteria detection, suggesting that it may be a potential reservoir for skin contamination or colonization. Indwelling medical devices may influence CHG bathing effectiveness in reducing microorganism burden on skin. Funding: None Disclosures: None

Candida auris is a fungal pathogen of high concern due to its ability to cause healthcare-associated infections and outbreaks, its resistance to antimicrobials and disinfectants and its persistence on human skin and in the inanimate environment. To inform surveillance and future mitigation strategies, we defined the extent of skin colonization and explored the microbiome associated with C. auris colonization. We collected swab specimens and clinical data at three times points between January and April 2019 from 57 residents (up to ten body sites each) of a ventilator-capable skilled nursing facility with endemic C. auris and routine chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing. Integrating microbial-genomic and epidemiologic data revealed occult C. auris colonization of multiple body sites not targeted commonly for screening. High concentrations of CHG were associated with suppression of C. auris growth but not with deleterious perturbation of commensal microbes. Modeling human mycobiome dynamics provided insight into underlying alterations to the skin fungal community as a possible modifiable risk factor for acquisition and persistence of C. auris . Failure to detect the extensive, disparate niches of C. auris colonization may reduce the effectiveness of infection-prevention measures that target colonized residents, highlighting the importance of universal strategies to reduce C. auris transmission. Longitudinal skin site sampling of residents in a skilled nursing facility sheds light on persistent niches of the emerging fungal pathogen Candida auris .

To characterize the relationship between chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) skin concentration and skin microbial colonization. Serial cross-sectional study. Adult patients in medical intensive care units (ICUs) from 7 hospitals; from 1 hospital, additional patients colonized with carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) from both ICU and non-ICU settings. All hospitals performed routine CHG bathing in the ICU. Skin swab samples were collected from adjacent areas of the neck, axilla, and inguinal region for microbial culture and CHG skin concentration measurement using a semiquantitative colorimetric assay. We used linear mixed effects multilevel models to analyze the relationship between CHG concentration and microbial detection. We explored threshold effects using additional models. We collected samples from 736 of 759 (97%) eligible ICU patients and 68 patients colonized with CPE. On skin, gram-positive bacteria were cultured most frequently (93% of patients), followed by species (26%) and gram-negative bacteria (20%). The adjusted odds of microbial recovery for every twofold increase in CHG skin concentration were 0.84 (95% CI, 0.80-0.87; < .001) for gram-positive bacteria, 0.93 (95% CI, 0.89-0.98; = .008) for species, 0.96 (95% CI, 0.91-1.02; = .17) for gram-negative bacteria, and 0.94 (95% CI, 0.84-1.06; = .33) for CPE. A threshold CHG skin concentration for reduced microbial detection was not observed. On a cross-sectional basis, higher CHG skin concentrations were associated with less detection of gram-positive bacteria and species on the skin, but not gram-negative bacteria, including CPE. For infection prevention, targeting higher CHG skin concentrations may improve control of certain pathogens.

To assess whether measurement and feedback of chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) skin concentrations can improve CHG bathing practice across multiple intensive care units (ICUs). A before-and-after quality improvement study measuring patient CHG skin concentrations during 6 point-prevalence surveys (3 surveys each during baseline and intervention periods). The study was conducted across 7 geographically diverse ICUs with routine CHG bathing. Adult patients in the medical ICU. CHG skin concentrations were measured at the neck, axilla, and inguinal region using a semiquantitative colorimetric assay. Aggregate unit-level CHG skin concentration measurements from the baseline period and each intervention period survey were reported back to ICU leadership, which then used routine education and quality improvement activities to improve CHG bathing practice. We used multilevel linear models to assess the impact of intervention on CHG skin concentrations. We enrolled 681 (93%) of 736 eligible patients; 92% received a CHG bath prior to survey. At baseline, CHG skin concentrations were lowest on the neck, compared to axillary or inguinal regions ( < .001). CHG was not detected on 33% of necks, 19% of axillae, and 18% of inguinal regions ( < .001 for differences in body sites). During the intervention period, ICUs that used CHG-impregnated cloths had a 3-fold increase in patient CHG skin concentrations as compared to baseline ( < .001). Routine CHG bathing performance in the ICU varied across multiple hospitals. Measurement and feedback of CHG skin concentrations can be an important tool to improve CHG bathing practice.

Background: Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) are endemic in the Chicago region. We assessed the regional impact of a CRE control intervention targeting high-prevalence facilities; that is, long-term acute-care hospitals (LTACHs) and ventilator-capable skilled nursing facilities (vSNFs). Methods: In July 2017, an academic–public health partnership launched a regional CRE prevention bundle: (1) identifying patient CRE status by querying Illinois’ XDRO registry and periodic point-prevalence surveys reported to public health, (2) cohorting or private rooms with contact precautions for CRE patients, (3) combining hand hygiene adherence, monitoring with general infection control education, and guidance by project coordinators and public health, and (4) daily chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing. Informed by epidemiology and modeling, we targeted LTACHs and vSNFs in a 13-mile radius from the coordinating center. Illinois mandates CRE reporting to the XDRO registry, which can also be manually queried or generate automated alerts to facilitate interfacility communication. The regional intervention promoted increased automation of alerts to hospitals. The prespecified primary outcome was incident clinical CRE culture reported to the XDRO registry in Cook County by month, analyzed by segmented regression modeling. A secondary outcome was colonization prevalence measured by serial point-prevalence surveys for carbapenemase-producing organism colonization in LTACHs and vSNFs. Results: All eligible LTACHs (n = 6) and vSNFs (n = 9) participated in the intervention. One vSNF declined CHG bathing. vSNFs that implemented CHG bathing typically bathed residents 2–3 times per week instead of daily. Overall, there were significant gaps in infection control practices, especially in vSNFs. Also, 75 Illinois hospitals adopted automated alerts (56 during the intervention period). Mean CRE incidence in Cook County decreased from 59.0 cases per month during baseline to 40.6 cases per month during intervention ( P < .001). In a segmented regression model, there was an average reduction of 10.56 cases per month during the 24-month intervention period ( P = .02) (Fig. 1), and an estimated 253 incident CRE cases were averted. Mean CRE incidence also decreased among the stratum of vSNF/LTACH intervention facilities ( P = .03). However, evidence of ongoing CRE transmission, particularly in vSNFs, persisted, and CRE colonization prevalence remained high at intervention facilities (Table 1). Conclusions: A resource-intensive public health regional CRE intervention was implemented that included enhanced interfacility communication and targeted infection prevention. There was a significant decline in incident CRE clinical cases in Cook County, despite high persistent CRE colonization prevalence in intervention facilities. vSNFs, where understaffing or underresourcing were common and lengths of stay range from months to years, had a major prevalence challenge, underscoring the need for aggressive infection control improvements in these facilities. Funding: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (SHEPheRD Contract No. 200-2011-42037) Disclosures: M.Y.L. has received research support in the form of contributed product from OpGen and Sage Products (now part of Stryker Corporation), and has received an investigator-initiated grant from CareFusion Foundation (now part of BD).

Background: Candida auris is an emerging multidrug-resistant yeast that is transmitted in healthcare facilities and is associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. Environmental contamination is suspected to play an important role in transmission but additional information is needed to inform environmental cleaning recommendations to prevent spread. Methods: We conducted a multiregional (Chicago, IL; Irvine, CA) prospective study of environmental contamination associated with C. auris colonization of patients and residents of 4 long-term care facilities and 1 acute-care hospital. Participants were identified by screening or clinical cultures. Samples were collected from participants’ body sites (eg, nares, axillae, inguinal creases, palms and fingertips, and perianal skin) and their environment before room cleaning. Daily room cleaning and disinfection by facility environmental service workers was followed by targeted cleaning of high-touch surfaces by research staff using hydrogen peroxide wipes (see EPA-approved product for C. auris , List P). Samples were collected immediately after cleaning from high-touch surfaces and repeated at 4-hour intervals up to 12 hours. A pilot phase (n = 12 patients) was conducted to identify the value of testing specific high-touch surfaces to assess environmental contamination. High-yield surfaces were included in the full evaluation phase (n = 20 patients) (Fig. 1). Samples were submitted for semiquantitative culture of C. auris and other multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus (VRE), extended-spectrum β-lactamase–producing Enterobacterales (ESBLs), and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE). Times to room surface contamination with C. auris and other MDROs after effective cleaning were analyzed. Results: Candida auris colonization was most frequently detected in the nares (72%) and palms and fingertips (72%). Cocolonization of body sites with other MDROs was common (Fig. 2). Surfaces located close to the patient were commonly recontaminated with C. auris by 4 hours after cleaning, including the overbed table (24%), bed handrail (24%), and TV remote or call button (19%). Environmental cocontamination was more common with resistant gram-positive organisms (MRSA and, VRE) than resistant gram-negative organisms (Fig. 3). C. auris was rarely detected on surfaces located outside a patient’s room (1 of 120 swabs; <1%). Conclusions: Environmental surfaces near C. auris –colonized patients were rapidly recontaminated after cleaning and disinfection. Cocolonization of skin and environment with other MDROs was common, with resistant gram-positive organisms predominating over gram-negative organisms on environmental surfaces. Limitations include lack of organism sequencing or typing to confirm environmental contamination was from the room resident. Rapid recontamination of environmental surfaces after manual cleaning and disinfection suggests that alternate mitigation strategies should be evaluated. Funding: None Disclosures: None

Background Hospitalized patients are at risk of colonization with a range of healthcare-associated bacterial pathogens, including C. difficile. In patients admitted to intensive care units (ICUs), in whom C. difficile infection (CDI) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. To understand the risk for acquisition of C. difficile and development of CDI, we monitored ICU patients daily for shedding of C. difficile by culture. Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of daily rectal/fecal swab samples collected from medical ICU patients of a 720-bed academic medical center in Chicago, IL. Selective culture for C. difficile was performed on swab samples from patients who had 2 or more samples obtained using selective media. Confirmation of putative C. difficile isolates was done by specific PCR assays for the 16S rRNA-encoding gene and the toxin genes tcdA, tcdB, cdtA and cdtB. Clinical testing for CDI was performed using the Xpert® C. difficile PCR assay (Cepheid). Clinical and demographic metadata were collected at bedside and by electronic medical record review. Results Culture was attempted on 2106 swab samples from 451 patients (486 ICU admissions) (Figure 1). A mean of 4.33 samples was obtained from each patient. C. difficile was isolated from 211 (10%) samples from 79 patients (Table 1). The first sample was positive by culture for 48 (9.9%) of patient admissions to the ICU. 31 (6.4%) patients who were initially negative by culture had a subsequent sample from which C. difficile was isolated. Persistence of culture-positivity varied from patient to patient (Figure 2). Of 80 patients who were tested for CDI based on physician suspicion, 12 patients had a positive Cepheid PCR test; 9 had diarrhea and were treated for CDI. Conclusion Surveillance for shedding of C. difficile by daily culture reveals that patients admitted to the ICU can shed the pathogen intermittently without attributable disease. This can be in the form patients who are admitted carrying the organism as well as those who appear to acquire the organism during their stay. It is unclear whether patient or microbiome factors underlie the differences seen in patterns of shedding. Furthermore, intermittent shedding may reflect multiple episodes of exposure to C. difficile spores and asymptomatic shedding without stable colonization. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.