"Our mission remains driven by two goals:
to improve patient safety and enhance quality of care."
On May 28, 2019 a paper that DASON staff, DCASIP faculty, and Duke Health Pharmacy staff have been working on was published in Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology. The purpose of this work was to assess the feasibility of electronic data capture of post discharge durations and evaluate total durations of anyimicrobial exposure related to inpatient hospital stays.
To read the full publication, click here.
Bacterial community composition and presence of antibiotic resistance genes (mecA, tetK, and vanA) on personal mobile devices (PMDs) of nurses in intensive care units (ICUs) were evaluated. Antibiotic resistance genes on PMDs decreased at the end of the shift, and a several microbial genera changed.
DICON physician, Dr. Deverick Anderson, worked with the ICU staff at Duke University Medical Center. Recruitment of 32 total volunteers was performed at a surgical ICU (SICU) and a medical ICU (MICU). In total, 31 volunteers completed the study.
Published in the April 2019 edition of Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology, this article aims to ascertain opinions regarding etiology and preventability of hospital-onset bacteremia and fungemia (HOB) and perspectives on HOB as a potential outcome measure reflecting quality of infection prevention and hospital care. Participants in this cross-sectional survey are hospital epidemiologists and infection preventionist members of the Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America (SHEA) Research Network.
A research consortium recently began enrolling patients in a clinical trial examining whether fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) by enema—putting stool from a healthy donor in the colon of a recipient—is safe and can prevent recurrent Clostridium difficile-associated disease (CDAD), a potentially life-threatening diarrheal illness. Investigators aim to enroll 162 volunteer participants 18 years or older who have had two or more episodes of CDAD within the previous six months.
Antimicrobial resistance is a major challenge for modern healthcare. The Duke Center for Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infection Prevention includes a unique portfolio of programs to fight this growing problem. We at CDC look forward to continuing our collaborations with Duke to help protect patients.
Dr Anderson and colleagues in the Duke Center for Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infection Prevention are world leaders in the important and essential fight to prevent infections and antimicrobial resistance. They are truly providing the 'guiding lights' and leadership for all to follow in this mission.
The Duke Center for Antimicrobial Stewardship and Infection Prevention is an important source for education and programmatic support for hospitals in the Southeastern US. In addition, their research on the epidemiology of multidrug-resistant pathogens and enhancing antibiotic stewardship is of high quality and public health value. I look forward to collaborating with Dr. Anderson and his expert colleagues for years to come.
