Clusters of Emerging Multidrug-Resistant Organisms in US Health Care Facilities During the Initial Months of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic

Details

• Personal Author:
  Bhaurla S ; Brennan B ; Carrico S ; Chan A ; Cumming M ; Czaja C ; De Perio, Marie A. ; Ham DC ; Innes G ; Li R ; Merengwa E ; Mitsunaga T ; Ostrowsky B ; Prestel C ; Stahl A ; Walters MS
• Description:
  Background: Outbreaks of emerging multidrug-resistant organisms (eMDROs), including carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales, carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, and Candida auris, have been reported among severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) patients. We describe eMDRO clusters in SARS-CoV-2 units and associated infection control (IC) practices early in the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Methods: We conducted a retrospective survey of a convenience sample of health departments in 11 states to describe clusters of eMDROs that began before November 1, 2020 and involved SARS-CoV-2 units. Cluster characteristics and IC practices during the cluster period were assessed using a standardized outbreak report form, and descriptive analyses were performed. Results: Overall, 18 eMDRO clusters (10 carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales, 6 C auris, 1 carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and 1 carbapenem-resistant A baumannii) in 18 health care facilities involving 397 patients were reported from 10 states. During the cluster period, 60% of facilities reported a shortage of isolation gowns, 69% extended use of gowns, and 67% reported difficulty obtaining preferred disinfectants. Reduced frequency of hand hygiene audits was reported in 85% of acute care hospitals during the cluster period compared with before the pandemic. Conclusions: Changes in IC practices and supply shortages were identified in facilities with eMDRO outbreaks during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and might have contributed to eMDRO transmission. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Communicable Diseases Health Care Facilities Workforce And Services Occupational Health Safety
• Keywords:
  Antimicrobial Resistance Author Keywords: Outbreaks COVID-19 Emerging Infectious Diseases Health Care Facilities Infection Control SARS-CoV-2
• ISSN:
  0196-6553
• Document Type:
  Text
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  Atlanta Region [OSHA] ; Birmingham Region [OSHA] ; Boston Region [OSHA] ; California ; Chicago Region [OSHA] ; Colorado ; Dallas Region [OSHA] ; Denver Region [OSHA] ; Georgia ; Massachusetts ; Michigan ; New York ; New York City Region [OSHA] ; North Carolina ; Ohio ; San Francisco Region [OSHA] ; Tennessee ; Texas
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Division:
  OD - Office of the Director
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Volume:
  52
• Issue:
  12
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20069965
• Citation:
  Am J Infect Control 2024 Dec; 52(12):1390-1396
• Contact Point Address:
  D. Cal Ham MD, MPH, Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 1600 Clifton Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30329
• Email:
  Ink4@CDC.gov
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2025
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Source Full Name:
  American Journal of Infection Control
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:732f24404f0aec0cc8d7859eae7ae40c1646e6c4d92a3bfdc8240bce96f4938a75c75ebfd5f128890a5c5153b4db838d8f25ad7abe0027128f06ce5ec26ef7ad
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/208281/cdc_208281_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 701.55 KB ]