"Our mission remains driven by two goals:
to improve patient safety and enhance quality of care."
The primary objective of this study by the CDC Epicenters Program, led by DCASIP Clinical Research Coordinator Bobby Warren, was to determine the effectiveness of two enhanced disinfection strategies compared to standard disinfection: “near-UV” light (Arm 1) and a persistent organosilane quaternary ammonium disinfectant (Arm 2) using a triple-blind study design. The secondary objective was to characterize environmental contamination of outpatient clinics.
Combined efforts from DCASIP faculty, led by Dr. Art Baker, with faculty from the Infectious Diseases Divisions at Duke University Medical Center and the Durham VA Hospital resulted in the latest publication in the journal Clinical Infectious Diseases: Tap Water Avoidance Decreases Rates of Hospital-Onset Pulmonary Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (link to the abstract).
Dr. Nick Turner et al. worked together on an article published in Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases regarding healthcare-associated diarhhea (HCAD). The link to the listing is available here.
The DICON and DASON teams, lead by visiting fellow Dr. Dorothy Ling, performed a descriptive study of reflex urine culture (RUC) practices across 51 community hospitals in southeastern United States. They found that 26 unique reflexing criteria were used in 28 hospitals. Only 14% hospitals of hospitals that offered RUC restricted it to specific populations (e.g. emergency room). The data suggest that the current RUC approach in community hospitals warrants further validation of urinalysis criteria and identification of specific populations in which RUC performs best.
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.
