Research Digest is a periodic installment that recognizes the world-class clinical research performed right here at UNMC ID. Today, we review three articles covering new developments regarding advancements in how ID professionals practice. As always, check out the linked full articles for more details.
In the first article, authored by Dr. Kelly Cawcutt and others, the authors address how surveillance for healthcare-associated infections (HIAs) is performed in the medical system. Great strides have been made toward efficient and timely monitoring of invasive device-associated infections that arise from things like central lines, ventilators, and catheters. This has enabled the medical community to recognize spikes in infection rates and adjust recommended practices to keep patients safe and devices sterile. However, these devices are not the only nidus that can cause infection in a healthcare environment. Alternative devices, as well as non-ventilator hospital-acquired pneumonia and infectious complications from other conditions, can all increase the risk of HAI. Therefore, the authors discuss alternative performance metrics that can provide a more comprehensive picture of the HAI landscape and identify a wider range of infections that may require systematic intervention. Read the full details here.
The second article, written by many from the UNMC community including Sara Donovan and Dr. James Lawler, identifies a core need in the ID community as we face increasing rates of high-consequence infectious disease events; safe and effective donning and doffing protocols for personal protective equipment (PPI). Utilizing knowledge from an exhaustive literature review as well as their own expertise as experts in ID and PPI use, the authors identified a set of cardinal rules to keep in mind when dealing with PPI. While they note that these rules are not all-encompassing, these rules serve as a great starting point and refresher for any who would need it. Read the full text here.
In the final article, authored by Dr. Trevor Van Schooneveld and others, considerations for ID fellowship training are explored. Training ID fellows unavoidably involves a balance between delivering great patient care and managing a high caseload while also protecting the educational environment for trainees. Recently, consult volume has been identified as an area of concern, which has a large effect on the educational environment. To characterize this concern, the authors performed a survey of ID fellowship programs in the United States to assess consult volume trends and any mitigation strategies implemented. This effort was able to quantitatively describe ID program daily new consult and total census rates, which rose as high as 12 and 30, respectively. It also identified shared strategies used to protect trainees and other ID professionals from burnout. The authors conclude that “as we navigate the challenges posed by the consultation surge, it is crucial to strike a balance between ensuring quality patient care, preserving educational opportunities, and safeguarding the well-being of both faculty and fellows.” Read the full article here.