Transmission of Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales in an Overcrowded Emergency Department: Controlling the Spread to the Hospital

Autor(es)

Salomao, Matias C. ; Freire, Maristela P. ; Lazari, Carolina S. ; Cury, Ana P. ; Rossi, Flavia ; Segurado, Aluisio A. C. ; Costa, Silvia F. ; Levin, Anna S. ; Boszczowski, Icaro ; Carbapenem Resistant

• Tipo de documento: Artigo Científico
• Fonte: Clinical Infectious Diseases; v. 77, n. SUPP 1, p. 7-pg., 2023-07-05.

Resumo

This quasi-experimental study shows that early contact precautions and rapid identification of patients colonized with carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales was associated with a nonsignificant reduction of cross-transmission in emergency departments. Background Overcrowded emergency departments (EDs) may increase the risk of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) transmission. Methods We conducted a quasi-experimental study divided into 2 phases (baseline and intervention) to investigate the impact of an intervention on the acquisition rate and identify risk factors for CRE colonization in an ED of a tertiary academic hospital in Brazil. In both phases, we did universal screening with rapid molecular test (bla(KPC), bla(NDM), bla(OXA48), bla(OXA23), and bla(IMP)) and culture. At baseline, both screening test results were not reported, and patients were put under contact precautions (CP) based on previous colonization or infection by multidrug-resistant organisms. During the intervention, all patients hospitalized in the ED were placed in empiric CP and the result of CRE screening was reported; if negative, patients were released from CP. Patients were rescreened if they stayed >7 days in the ED or were transferred to an intensive care unit. Results A total of 845 patients were included: 342 in baseline and 503 in intervention. Colonization at admission was 3.4% by culture and molecular test. Acquisition rates during ED stay dropped from 4.6% (11/241) to 1% (5/416) during intervention (P = .06). The aggregated antimicrobial use in the ED decreased from phase 1 to phase 2 (804 defined daily doses [DDD]/1000 patients to 394 DDD/1000 patients, respectively). Length of stay >2 days in the ED was a risk factor for CRE acquisition (adjusted odds ratio, 4.58 [95% confidence interval, 1.44-14.58]; P = .01). Conclusions Early empiric CP and rapid identification of CRE-colonized patients reduce cross-transmission in ED. Nevertheless, staying >2 days in ED compromised efforts. (AU)

• Processo FAPESP: 18/06016-0 - Rastreamento e isolamento precoce de pacientes colonizados por enterobactérias resistentes a carbapenêmicos admitidos no Pronto Socorro
• Beneficiário: Icaro Boszczowski
• Modalidade de apoio: Auxílio à Pesquisa - Regular