Evaluating an Antibiotic Stewardship Collaborative in New York State Hospitals
Average annual discharges were significantly higher in participating hospitals.
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Identifying Employee COVID-19 Risk Factors With Contact Tracing
Communal gathering areas were found to be a major source of exposure.
Majority of Young People Who Test Positive for COVID-19 Don’t Require Hospitalization
During the pandemic, one regional health system looked at the age distribution of the virus and hospitalization and mortality rates.
Nebulizers Linked to Environmental Bacterial Contamination
New ASM data show indoor environments are associated with quick and frequent pathogen contamination of the common respiratory device.
Older Age, Asthma, Black Population Influence County-Level COVID-19 Fatality
An interview with a study author on unique associations between county infrastructures and COVID-19 fatality rates.
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Rapid COVID-19 Antigen Test Provides Less Sensitivity Than PCR Assay
New findings on an available 15-minute test show an approximate 81% sensitivity in detection of SARS-CoV-2.
ThermoFisher RT-PCR COVID-19 Test Detects B.1.1.7 Variant
New findings from the ASM 2021 World Microbe Forum suggest the emergency-authorized platform can capably detected the highly transmissible UK-borne variant.
Challenges in HIV Management and Therapy
A discussion on issues surrounding the treatment of HIV with Melissa Badowski, PharmD, MPH.
How Pharmacist-led Interventions Can Improve Discharge Antibiotic Use
A conversation on antimicrobial stewardship with Kushal Naik, PharmD, MBA.
Monoclonal Antibody Being Developed for Treatment and Prevention of COVID-19, Variants
An investigational therapy demonstrated neutralizing antibodies as well as protection against the virus in preclinical trials.
The Burden of Clostridioides Difficile
A study looked at hospital admissions of Medicare patients and saw a large percentage of recurrent Clostridioides difficile infections (rCDI) as the primary diagnosis.
Mandatory Stop Dates, Indication Documentation Do Not Impact Length of Antibiotic Therapy
No difference was observed in any of the outcomes and there was no impact on the duration of therapy.
Evaluating Safety and Efficacy Protocols of Graded Dose Challenge and Desensitization
GDC and DSENS were both seen to be safe and effective tools to optimize therapy in the study participants.
Shorter Prescription Stop Dates Do Not Influence Antibiotic Treatment Duration
An effort to increase stewardship showed that 5-day and 10-day prescription stop dates for antibiotics did little to influence actual therapy length and outcomes.
Developing a Severity Score to Better Assess COVID-19
A diagnostic analyzer was studied looking at 3 biomarkers to predict the level of COVID-19, and could potentially serve as a risk stratification tool.
Antibiotic Prescribing, Guideline Adherence May Vary by Care Setting
An assessment from the Cleveland Clinic shows prescribing concordant to guidelines can exceed 60% in certain facilities.
Antimicrobial Stewardship Opportunities in Non-Neutropenic Oncology Patients
Almost half of the participants in the study had an opportunity to improve their antibiotic regimen.
Effectiveness of a Pediatric Antimicrobial Stewardship Program in a Community Hospital
The pilot program was demonstrated to significantly reduce days of antibiotic therapy.
Pharmacist-led Intervention to Improve Antibiotic Use at Hospital Discharge
More than half of the pharmacist led interventions were accepted by providers during the intervention period.
Impact of COVID-19 on Outpatient Daily Life
A majority of the study participants experienced symptoms that interfered with activities of their daily life.
Understanding Recurrent Clostridioides Difficile Infection and Hospitalization
A large retrospective analysis of Medicare patients offers a glimpse of the incidence rates of this patient population and the burdens associated with it.
Tocilizumab Could Treat Cytokine Release Syndrome in Severe COVID-19 Patients
The IL-6 targeting monoclonal antibody is linked to improved inflammatory and hemodynamic markers in hospitalized patients.
Assessing Antimicrobial Stewardship Interventions on Discharge Antibiotic Regimens
Interventions implemented by pharmacists were more likely to be accepted by prescribers.
Fidaxomicin, Vancomycin Provide Similar C Difficile Initial Cure, Mortality Rates
A meta-analysis suggest the 2 first-line C diff therapies provide similar outcomes, yet differ in recurrent infection risk.
Utilizing an EMR to Increase Infectious Disease Consultations
Study finds communicating on Electronic Medical Record (EMR) led to follow-up with infectious disease providers.
Identifying Associated Risk Factors for Persistent Vancomycin Resistant Enterococcal Bacteremia
In-hospital mortality and recurrent bacteremia occurred in 58% and 17% of patients with persistent VRE BSIs.
Pharmacist-Led Flu Shot Screening Leads to Improved Community Immunization
A concerted effort to increase flu vaccination during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in more protection among a high-risk population, as well as educational opportunities for pharmacy students.
Evaluating the Efficacy of Daptomycin and Ceftaroline for the Treatment of MRSAB
Rates of in-hospital mortality and days with bacteremia were similar between the two study cohorts.
Antimicrobial Stewardship During the Time of COVID-19
Antimicrobials were commonly prescribed during the first wave of the pandemic, and clinicians were successfully guided by antimicrobial stewardship programs.
Examining COVID-19 Transmission After First-Dose of Vaccine in LTCF
Increased facility-level vaccine coverage amongst residents and staff was associated with lower cases in the latter population.