We estimated the racial disparity in rates of invasive S. aureus infections based on community coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) rates at the county level. Our data suggest that COVID-19 infection burden (1) affects not only hospital-onset MRSA invasive infection risk but also community-onset S. aureus invasive infection risk and (2) affects Black residents ∼60% more than White residents.

We assessed factors associated with increased risk to loss of follow-up with infectious diseases staff in OPAT patients. Discharge to subacute healthcare facilities is strongly associated with loss to follow-up. We did not identify sociodemographic disparities. Poor communication between OPAT providers and subacute healthcare facilities remains a serious issue.

A Nebraska statewide webinar series was initiated during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic for long-term care (LTC) and acute care/outpatient (AC) facilities. An impact survey was completed by 48 of 96 AC and 109 of 429 LTC facilities. The majority reported increased regulatory awareness (AC: 65%, LTC: 54%) and updated COVID-19 (AC: 61%, LTC: 69%) and general infection prevention (AC: 61%, LTC: 60%) policies.

An association between antibiotic prescribing in upper respiratory infection and improved patient satisfaction has been documented, though data are mixed. Following implementation of a multifaceted antimicrobial stewardship bundle, no difference in patient satisfaction was observed between groups, despite a reduction in antibiotic prescribing from 28.3% to 14.1%.

A quaternary ammonium and alcohol-based disinfectant with reported continuous activity demonstrated reduced microbial buildup on surfaces over time compared to routine disinfectants without continuous activity in in vitro and hospital studies. We compared these disinfectants in ambulatory settings and found no difference in bioburden on high-touch surfaces over time.

Using a multicomponent approach that included blood-culture stewardship, evaluation for secondary sources of bloodstream infection, improved documentation, and prompt central-line removal, an interprofessional team improved patient care and reduced central-line–associated bloodstream infection rates in collaboration with the primary team on the surgical intensive care unit.

Contaminated surfaces may be a source of transmission for the globally emerging pathogen, Candida auris. Because floors may be a source of C. auris contamination on hands, strategies for inactivating or removing C. auris from floors were investigated. A sporicidal disinfectant and UV-C were most effective in inactivating C. auris on floors.

Misclassification of Clostridioides difficile colonization as hospital-onset C. difficile infection (HO-CDI) can lead to unnecessary treatment of patients and substantial financial penalties for hospitals. We successfully implemented mandatory C. difficile PCR testing approval as a strategy to optimize testing, which was associated with a significant decline in the monthly incidence of HO-CDI rates and lowering of our standardized infection ratio to 0.77 (from 1.03) 18 months after this intervention. Approval request served as an educational opportunity to promote mindful testing and accurate diagnosis of HO-CDI.

In an Indian oncology setting, between August and December 2021, 56 patients, developed Burkholderia cenocepacia bacteremia. An investigation revealed a contaminated batch of the antiemetic drug palonosetron. The outbreak was terminated by withdrawing the culprit batch and the findings were reported promptly to regulatory authorities.

A major tenet of healthcare environmental cleaning focuses on high-touch surfaces (HTSs). HTSs have high rates of contamination, yet cleaning compliance remains low, particularly in patient-occupied rooms. This quality improvement study aimed to use human-centric and participatory design to modify an HTS cleaning checklist and conduct initial trial and evaluation.

Our health system implemented a novel clinical decision-support system to reduce unnecessary duplicate nasal methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) orders. In an 8-month period, the rate of duplicate MRSA PCR orders within 7 days declined from 4.7% (370 of 7,861) to 1.2% (120 of 9,833).

Emergency departments are high-risk settings for severe acute respiratory coronavirus virus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) surface contamination. Environmental surface samples were obtained in rooms with patients suspected of having COVID-19 who did or did not undergo aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs). SARS-CoV-2 RNA surface contamination was most frequent in rooms occupied by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients who received no AGPs.