Impact of switching from polymerase chain reaction-only to two-step Clostridioides difficile testing in a large hospital system doi.org/10.1017/ash....

The presence of insects in hospital environments poses a risk for the dissemination of pathogenic bacteria. Despite strict sanitation protocols, some arthropods persist, potentially acting as vectors of bacterial contamination. Read on to find out what we need to do! doi.org/10.1017/ash....

Continuing #WAAW with opportunities in peripartum stewardship, as discussed in our latest podcast: buff.ly/dbhiyQr where @pamipenem.bsky.social and coauthors discuss how QI work builds momentum (and relationships) in this unique population.

Outpatient providers at a tertiary care center were surveyed regarding their antibiotic prescribing practices and views on ASP. Many clinical and non-clinical factors shape their decision-making. Electronic medical record interventions were a favored stewardship strategy. doi.org/10.1017/ash....

Severe COVID-19, advanced age, and Chronic kidney disease are linked to bacterial infections in hospitalized patients. High antibiotic use (60%) was found in COVID-19 patients without confirmed bacterial infection highlighting an urgent need for antibiotic stewardship in LMICs.

In our study, we found that about half of patients with prosthetic joint infections are candidates for early oral switch therapy. This finding provides an opportunity for quality improvement in terms of antimicrobial and resource stewardship. doi.org/10.1017/ash....

From @thesillysci.bsky.social: Our study explores Sri Lankan physicians’ knowledge, attitudes, & practices around antibiograms in a public hospital. Findings: gaps in awareness, perceived barriers to implementation, the need for context-specific education and support tools. doi.org/10.1017/ash....

Business intelligence for detecting possible surgical site infections from post-cesarean section operation with a focus on antibiotic prescriptions in Ramathibodi Hospital, Thailand doi.org/10.1017/ash....

Read on in this letter to the editor--Applying the Learning Health System framework to overcome barriers in antimicrobial decision support: lessons from the Guidance redesign doi.org/10.1017/ash....

Case series of Candida auris identified in the US Military Health System. Includes cases identified in 6 hospitals with suspected domestic US and international acquisition, genetic and antimicrobial susceptibility analysis, and a review of hospital surveillance protocols. doi.org/10.1017/ash....

Collaboration to harmonize antimicrobial registry measures (CHARM) database analysis of antibiotic prescribing in urgent and non-urgent care: a retrospective study on demographic factors doi.org/10.1017/ash....

National analysis of 7,830 systemic antifungal prescriptions across 372 Australian hospitals (2014-24) found 88.4% guideline compliance, 92.3% appropriateness. Stewardship approval improved quality. Fluconazole showed lower appropriateness, highlighting areas for improvement. doi.org/10.1017/ash....

A quasi-experimental study in a tertiary hospital assessed an indication-based electronic prescribing intervention for meropenem. Use declined by 41.14% without compromising appropriate treatment, supporting its effectiveness in antimicrobial stewardship. doi.org/10.1017/ash....

In this randomized experimental study, Tru-D iQ and Legacy UV-C systems both reduced environmental contamination in hospital rooms. Both systems significantly reduced contamination, with the Tru-D iQ achieving comparable efficacy overall and significantly shorter cycle times. doi.org/10.1017/ash....

Impact of multifaceted clinical decision support and education on antibiotic duration in outpatients with respiratory tract infections in Saudi Arabia: a prospective pre- and postimplementation study doi.org/10.1017/ash....

This healthcare system integrated SAAR data into their ASP customizing their EHR's tools. A dynamic dashboard for SAAR and AU data + a new SOP for SAAR analyssis = a game changer for ASPs! doi.org/10.1017/ash....

@brxad.bsky.social et al: Is AMR a topic confined to our small echo chamber? Here are 4 strategies to help engage the other 99.9% in the conversation about AMR (happy #WAAW week!) doi.org/10.1017/ash....

Candidiasis epidemiology and outcomes including emergence of Candida auris from a large, Southern US metro area: a six-year evaluation doi.org/10.1017/ash....

In an analysis of a U.S. veteran cohort with a listed penicillin allergy, we demonstrated both a temporal rise in the numbers of oral penicillin challenges performed and facilities involved in performing such challenges from 2014 to 2024. doi.org/10.1017/ash....

New study shows that repeated micro-learning quizzes improve guideline-concordant antibiotic prescribing for pediatric acute otitis media. QuizTime may be an effective, scalable, and low-effort way to deliver antimicrobial education to busy prescribers! doi.org/10.1017/ash....

We present a durable, novel EHR intervention whose implementation can help decrease the pervasive harmful beta-lactam antibiotic avoidance behavior due to clinically inaccurate penicillin allergy alerts. doi.org/10.1017/ash....

Early de-escalation of empiric antibiotics in neutropenic fever at our urban medical center significantly reduced duration of therapy without increasing subsequent infections, clinical decompensation, or in-hospital mortality, supporting the safety of this approach. doi.org/10.1017/ash....

A review of nasal MRSA PCR screening practices across 9 institutions in Kentucky found most used it for pneumonia indications. None permitted pharmacists to discontinue anti-MRSA antibiotics per protocol, highlighting a stewardship gap. doi.org/10.1017/ash....

Patients with burn injuries are particularly susceptible to HAIs due to the loss of skin barrier and altered immune responses. Presented here is a research agenda that identifies key gaps and priorities for future investigation in this high-risk population. doi.org/10.1017/ash....

Within an academic health system, patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis who received empiric third-generation cephalosporin monotherapy had similar clinical outcomes as those who received empiric broad spectrum therapy, including similar 30 and 90-day mortality. doi.org/10.1017/ash....

@dvilarc.bsky.social: we review the introduction of gloves into medicine, their recommended use, and the issues of contamination and misuse. The final section examines the environmental impact of gloves and offers strategies to reduce glove-related contamination. doi.org/10.1017/ash....

Read on for holistic consideration of the importance of all transmission pathways and the corresponding need for targeted NPIs during virus outbreaks and pandemics: doi.org/10.1017/ash....

One year of outpatient clindamycin prescriptions at a military healthcare system demonstrated that less than half of patients had a beta-lactam allergy and that the top 2% of prescribers accounted for 18% of prescriptions. doi.org/10.1017/ash....

Diagnosing covid by "swish and gargle" method--read on! doi.org/10.1017/ash....

We implemented an EHR-integrated order set to standardize direct abx challenges. In the first year, 104 patients were challenged (79% oral; 39% two-step). Embedded antibiotic selection, dosage, monitoring parameters, and rescue medications facilitated uptake by clinicians. doi.org/10.1017/ash....

Almost one-third of ambulatory cancer patients were prescribed antibiotics for acute upper respiratory infections. Negative respiratory pathogen panel results or a negative influenza result were two predictors for antibiotic prescribing. doi.org/10.1017/ash....

Beyond the bugs: why toxin detection is key in two-tiered C. diff tests doi.org/10.1017/ash....

In a retrospective study of positive multiplex molecular gastrointestinal pathogen tests sent for evaluation of infectious diarrhea, approximately one-third were associated with a change in antimicrobial treatment. Most of these changes were consistent with IDSA guidelines. doi.org/10.1017/ash....

High antibiotic use (77.6%) and low reliance on lab testing (2.4%) were observed at Tanga Regional Referral Hospital in Tanzania. Findings highlight the urgent need for antimicrobial and diagnostic stewardship to address inappropriate prescribing and reduce AMR risks. doi.org/10.1017/ash....

As folks return home from #IDWeek, we encourage you to look to ASHE for publishing your research! Here's some information about OA fees to explore publishing with us (the fees should not be a barrier!): www.cambridge.org/core/journal...

Immediate identification of patients receiving dialysis is important for patient safety! This simple surveillance tool is accurate & feasible for real-time use. doi.org/10.1017/ash....

Researchers surveyed physicians and patients to create a novel Desirability of Outcome Ranking for non-severe community acquired pneumonia. When comparing physician and patient preferences in outcomes, we found significant differences. doi.org/10.1017/ash....

@kswilliamsrx.medsky.social: Effective blood culture shortage mitigation was noninferior for mortality, readmissions, ED visits in a rural population. Clinicians preferred mitigation strategies: in person communication, algorithms and order cascades. doi.org/10.1017/ash....

This paper demonstrates an association between Paxlovid prescribing and social vulnerability. Areas of low-medium social vulnerability index (SVI) had higher rates of Paxlovid prescriptions than those with low SVI. doi.org/10.1017/ash....

A single center comparison showed no difference in restricted antibiotic prescription appropriateness between medical trainees and staff. doi.org/10.1017/ash....

Timely selection of empirical treatment for carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales bacteremia is challenging in the absence of prior antibiotic exposure. We found that ICU stay duration predicts CRE bacteremia, with a threshold of ≥8 days yielding 81% sensitivity. doi.org/10.1017/ash....

Including antibiotic allergy evaluation as part of healthcare-associated infection point prevalence survey is a simple and effective way to combat antimicrobial resistance. doi.org/10.1017/ash....

Infection control practices among EMS providers in prehospital settings: a scoping review of compliance and barriers doi.org/10.1017/ash....

This national VA study shows that patients prescribed post-discharge antibiotics had a 40-56% higher risk of being tested for C. difficile during the 30 days after discharge than patients not prescribed these antibiotics. doi.org/10.1017/ash....

This article entitled "National Outpatient Antibiotic Prescription Trends in Cyprus: 2020-2022" presents a comprehensive analysis of the National outpatient antibiotic prescription trends in Cyprus, categorized by WHO status. doi.org/10.1017/ash....

We evaluated a pharmacist-led support system for vancomycin dosing. The intervention significantly improved loading dose administration and early AUC attainment without increasing acute kidney injury or mortality, supporting safe and effective implementation. doi.org/10.1017/ash....

This study characterizes the incidence of contact precautions (CPs) on a palliative care unit (PCU) at a tertiary hospital in Canada. doi.org/10.1017/ash....

This systematic review explores how socioeconomic status influences the prevalence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) across high-income nations. Our findings synthesize existing literature and highlight important socioeconomic disparities in the burden of AMR. doi.org/10.1017/ash....

This study demonstrates the incidences of hospital-acquired colonization by extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacterales (ESBL-E), carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in Thailand. doi.org/10.1017/ash....

This study evaluated oral vancomycin primary prophylaxis effectiveness in preventing C. difficile infection (CDI) in BMT patients. Bayesian Meta-analysis showed reduced CDI incidence during hospitalization. We present an innovative approach to adjust for publication bias. doi.org/10.1017/ash....