Displaying publications 41 - 60 of 605 in total

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  1. Rosenthal VD, Yin R, Jin Z, Perez V, Kis MA, Abdulaziz-Alkhawaja S, et al.
    Am J Infect Control, 2024 Aug;52(8):906-914.
    PMID: 38437883 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2024.02.017
    BACKGROUND: Catheter-Associated Urinary Tract Infections (CAUTIs) frequently occur in the intensive care unit (ICU) and are correlated with a significant burden.

    METHODS: We implemented a strategy involving a 9-element bundle, education, surveillance of CAUTI rates and clinical outcomes, monitoring compliance with bundle components, feedback of CAUTI rates and performance feedback. This was executed in 299 ICUs across 32 low- and middle-income countries. The dependent variable was CAUTI per 1,000 UC days, assessed at baseline and throughout the intervention, in the second month, third month, 4 to 15 months, 16 to 27 months, and 28 to 39 months. Comparisons were made using a 2-sample t test, and the exposure-outcome relationship was explored using a generalized linear mixed model with a Poisson distribution.

    RESULTS: Over the course of 978,364 patient days, 150,258 patients utilized 652,053 UC-days. The rates of CAUTI per 1,000 UC days were measured. The rates decreased from 14.89 during the baseline period to 5.51 in the second month (risk ratio [RR] = 0.37; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.34-0.39; P 

    Matched MeSH terms: Cross Infection/epidemiology; Cross Infection/prevention & control; Infection Control/methods
  2. Sam JI, Chan YF, Vythilingam I, Wan Sulaiman WY
    Med J Malaysia, 2016 04;71(2):66-8.
    PMID: 27326944 MyJurnal
    Zika virus (ZIKV) has re-emerged to cause explosive epidemics in the Pacific and Latin America, and appears to be associated with severe neurological complications including microcephaly in babies. ZIKV is transmitted to humans by Aedes mosquitoes, principally Ae. aegypti, and there is historical evidence of ZIKV circulation in Southeast Asia. It is therefore clear that Malaysia is at risk of similar outbreaks. Local and international guidelines are available for surveillance, diagnostics, and management of exposed and infected individuals. ZIKV is the latest arbovirus to have spread globally beyond its initial restricted niche, and is unlikely to be the last. Innovative new methods for surveillance and control of vectors are needed to target mosquito-borne diseases as a whole.
    Matched MeSH terms: Zika Virus Infection/epidemiology*; Zika Virus Infection/transmission
  3. Wong YP, Chua KH, Thong KL
    J Microbiol Methods, 2014 Dec;107:133-7.
    PMID: 25307691
    Nosocomial infections are a major public health concern worldwide. Early and accurate identification of nosocomial pathogens which are often multidrug resistant is crucial for prompt treatment. Hence, an alternative real-time polymerase chain reaction coupled with high resolution melting-curve analysis (HRMA) was developed for identification of five nosocomial bacteria. This assay targets species-specific regions of each nosocomial bacteria and produced five distinct melt curves with each representing a particular bacterial species. The melting curves were characterized by peaks of 78.8 ± 0.2 °C for Acinetobacter baumannii, 82.7 ± 0.2 °C for Escherichia coli, 86.3 ± 0.3 °C for Klebsiella pneumoniae, 88.8 ± 0.2 °C for Pseudomonas aeruginosa and 74.6 ± 02 °C for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. The assay was able to specifically detect the five bacterial species with an overall detection limit of 2 × 10(-2) ng/μL. In conclusion, the HRM assay developed is a simple and rapid method for identification of the selected nosocomial pathogens.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cross Infection/diagnosis*; Cross Infection/microbiology*
  4. Alhady M, Zabri K, Chua CN
    Med J Malaysia, 2008 Aug;63(3):269-70.
    PMID: 19248710
    Matched MeSH terms: Screw Worm Infection/diagnosis*; Screw Worm Infection/surgery
  5. Ng RS, Chong CP
    Australas Med J, 2012;5(10):534-40.
    PMID: 23173017 DOI: 10.4066/AMJ.2012.1312
    Surgical site infections are the most common nosocomial infection among surgical patients. Patients who experience surgical site infections are associated with prolonged hospital stay, rehospitalisation, increased morbidity and mortality, and costs. Consequently, surgical antimicrobial prophylaxis (SAP), which is a very brief course of antibiotic given just before the surgery, has been introduced to prevent the occurrence of surgical site infections. The efficacy of SAP depends on several factors, including selection of appropriate antibiotic, timing of administration, dosage, duration of prophylaxis and route of administration. In many institutions around the globe, evidence-based guidelines have been developed to advance the proper use of SAP. This paper aims to review the studies on surgeons' adherence to SAP guidelines and factors influencing their adherence. A wide variation of overall compliance towards SAP guidelines was noted, ranging from 0% to 71.9%. The misuses of prophylactic antibiotics are commonly seen, particularly inappropriate choice and prolonged duration of administration. Lack of awareness of the available SAP guidelines, influence of initial training, personal preference and influence from colleagues were among the factors which hindered the surgeons' adherence to SAP guidelines. Immediate actions are needed to improve the adherence rate as inappropriate use of SAP can lead to the emergence of a strain of resistant bacteria resulting in a number of costs to the healthcare system. Corrective measures to improve SAP adherence include development of guidelines, education and effective dissemination of guidelines to targeted surgeons and routine audit of antibiotic utilisation by a dedicated infection control team.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cross Infection; Surgical Wound Infection; Infection Control
  6. Choon DSK
    Med J Malaysia, 2004 Dec;59(5):571-2.
    PMID: 15889556
    Matched MeSH terms: Surgical Wound Infection/etiology*; Surgical Wound Infection/therapy*
  7. Abdullah BJ, Mohd Yusof MY, Khoo BH
    Clin Radiol, 1998 Mar;53(3):212-4.
    PMID: 9528873
    Nosocomial infections are posing an increasingly serious problem in the hospital setting. With the increasing use of ultrasound in medical diagnosis, there is the potential for transmission of nosocomial infections via the ultrasound transducer and coupling gel. We evaluated the use of different membranes (three types of commercially available household cling film, condom, surgical glove and Opsite) applied over the ultrasound probe to determine if these were safe, convenient, cost-effective and did not impair the performance parameters of the ultrasound probe. None of the membranes impaired the physical scanning parameters using a Multi-Purpose Tissue/Cyst Phantom. The cling film was ideal for general use in terms of cost and convenience as well as safety. For sterile use the Opsite was better overall compared to the surgical glove, though it costs significantly more. The condom and surgical glove, though safe, were not very convenient to use for scanning.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cross Infection/prevention & control*; Cross Infection/transmission*
  8. Lim VK
    Ann Acad Med Singap, 1997 May;26(3):331-5.
    PMID: 9285028
    Infection is an important cause of morbidity and mortality in immunocompromised patients. The high risk of infection is not only the consequence of the underlying disease but also the result of the diagnostic, monitoring and therapeutic procedures performed on these patients. Infections may be exogenous or endogenous in origin. The prevention of exogenous infections requires a high standard of hygiene. As many infections are acquired in hospitals, an effective control of nosocomial infection programme is crucial in preventing infections in the immunocompromised. Prevention of endogenous infections involves suppression of the aerobic bacterial flora (selective decontamination) and measures to maintain gastrointestinal epithelial integrity to reduce risk of translocation of intestinal flora. Boosting the host immunity through passive and active immunisation should also be considered. Prevention of infection in the immunocompromised is no easy task and requires a multidisciplinary approach.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cross Infection/prevention & control*; Cross Infection/transmission
  9. Hanifah YA, Yusof MY
    Malays J Pathol, 1991 Jun;13(1):33-5.
    PMID: 1795559
    A total of 676 patients were admitted to the intensive care unit, University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur between January 1989 and March 1990. Fifty-one hospital-acquired infections were recorded, giving a rate of 7.6%. The most frequent site of infection was the respiratory tract (41.2%), followed by the urinary tract (27.5%). Most of the pathogens were gram-negative bacilli (71%). The three most common pathogens were Klebsiella species, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cross Infection/microbiology; Cross Infection/epidemiology*
  10. Nair HKR, Chong SS, Othman AM
    J Wound Care, 2020 Apr 01;29(Sup4):S44-S48.
    PMID: 32279612 DOI: 10.12968/jowc.2020.29.Sup4.S44
    OBJECTIVE: To validate the accuracy and reliability of Harikrishna Periwound Skin Classification (HPSC) for wound assessment.

    METHOD: Post-basic students (staff nurses and medical assistants) were given real life pictures showing the wound and periwound area. The students were asked to classify all pictures according to the HPSC at zero months (before attachment) and after two months of attachment. The images were the same but the answers were never given or discussed after the first test.

    RESULTS: A total of 30 post-basic students participated in the study, assessing wound 30 images. The results showed that there was an increase of 25.42% in accuracy of wound assessment using the HSPC after two months of clinical attachment compared to pre-attachment. The reliability of the HPSC in wound assessment 79.87%.

    CONCLUSION: Health professionals have to be able to assess and classify wounds accurately to be able to manage them accordingly. Assessment and classifications of the periwound skin are important and need to be validated and integrated as a part of a full wound assessment. With experience and adequate training, health professionals are able to comprehensively assess wounds using the validated tool, to enable effective wound management and treatment, accelerating wound healing and improving the quality of life for patients.

    Matched MeSH terms: Surgical Wound Infection/diagnosis*; Surgical Wound Infection/nursing
  11. Rahim MHA, Ibrahim MI, Noor SSM, Fadzil NM
    PMID: 33430195 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18020409
    BACKGROUND: Hand hygiene (HH) is the simplest and most effective way to reduce the incidence of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs).

    METHODS: This cross-sectional study aimed to determine factors associated with self-reported HH performance among nurses at Kelantan tertiary care hospitals. A sample of 438 registered nurses was selected through a stratified random sampling method. Self-reported HH performance was assessed using a validated WHO self-administered HH knowledge and perception questionnaire for healthcare workers.

    RESULTS: A multiple linear regression analysis was performed to identify the predictors. The factors that significantly predicted self-reported HH performance among nurses included perception score (beta coefficient (β) = 0.260; 95% CI: 0.200, 0.417; p < 0.001), pediatric department (β = -0.104; 95% CI: -9.335, -2.467; p < 0.001), and orthopedic department (β = -5.957; 95% CI: -9.539, -0.720; p < 0.023), adjusted R2 = 0.102; p < 0.001. Nurses with a strong perception and belief in HH were more likely to have better HH performance. Compared to pediatric and orthopedic, surgical departments were associated with better self-reported HH performance.

    CONCLUSIONS: This study showed the importance of factors that could improve the intervention's performance in HH strategy. Lack of perception and HH program intervention in departments engaged in patient care could lead to poor HH practices, thus increasing HCAIs and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

    Matched MeSH terms: Cross Infection*; Infection Control
  12. Jin J, Akau Ola S, Yip CH, Nthumba P, Ameh EA, de Jonge S, et al.
    World J Surg, 2021 10;45(10):2993-3006.
    PMID: 34218314 DOI: 10.1007/s00268-021-06208-y
    BACKGROUND: Morbidity and mortality in surgical systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) remain high compared to high-income countries. Quality improvement processes, interventions, and structure are essential in the effort to improve peri-operative outcomes.

    METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis of interventional studies assessing quality improvement processes, interventions, and structure in developing country surgical systems was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items of Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies were included if they were conducted in an LMIC, occurred in a surgical setting, and measured the effect of an implementation and its impact. The primary outcome was mortality, and secondary outcomes were rates of rates of hospital-acquired infection (HAI) and surgical site infections (SSI). Prospero Registration: CRD42020171542.

    RESULT: Of 38,273 search results, 31 studies were included in a qualitative synthesis, and 28 articles were included in a meta-analysis. Implementation of multimodal bundled interventions reduced the incidence of HAI by a relative risk (RR) of 0.39 (95%CI 0.26 to 0.59), the effect of hand hygiene interventions on HAIs showed a non-significant effect of RR of 0.69 (0.46-1.05). The WHO Safe Surgery Checklist reduced mortality by RR 0.68 (0.49 to 0.95) and SSI by RR 0.50 (0.33 to 0.63) and antimicrobial stewardship interventions reduced SSI by RR 0.67 (0.48-0.93).

    CONCLUSION: There is evidence that a number of quality improvement processes, interventions and structural changes can improve mortality, HAI and SSI outcomes in the peri-operative setting in LMICs.

    Matched MeSH terms: Surgical Wound Infection/epidemiology; Surgical Wound Infection/prevention & control
  13. Idris FN, Nadzir MM
    Arch Microbiol, 2023 Mar 14;205(4):115.
    PMID: 36917278 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-023-03455-6
    Infections by ESKAPE (Enterococcus sp., Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter spp.) pathogens cause major concern due to their multi-drug resistance (MDR). The ESKAPE pathogens are frequently linked to greater mortality, diseases, and economic burden in healthcare worldwide. Therefore, the use of plants as a natural source of antimicrobial agents provide a solution as they are easily available and safe to use. These natural drugs can also be enhanced by incorporating silver nanoparticles and combining them with existing antibiotics. By focussing the attention on the ESKAPE organisms, the MDR issue can be addressed much better.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cross Infection/drug therapy; Cross Infection/microbiology
  14. Anyamba A, Chretien JP, Small J, Tucker CJ, Linthicum KJ
    Int J Health Geogr, 2006 Dec 28;5:60.
    PMID: 17194307
    BACKGROUND: El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) related climate anomalies have been shown to have an impact on infectious disease outbreaks. The Climate Prediction Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA/CPC) has recently issued an unscheduled El Niño advisory, indicating that warmer than normal sea surface temperatures across the equatorial eastern Pacific may have pronounced impacts on global tropical precipitation patterns extending into the northern hemisphere particularly over North America. Building evidence of the links between ENSO driven climate anomalies and infectious diseases, particularly those transmitted by insects, can allow us to provide improved long range forecasts of an epidemic or epizootic. We describe developing climate anomalies that suggest potential disease risks using satellite generated data.

    RESULTS: Sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the equatorial east Pacific ocean have anomalously increased significantly during July - October 2006 indicating the typical development of El Niño conditions. The persistence of these conditions will lead to extremes in global-scale climate anomalies as has been observed during similar conditions in the past. Positive Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR) anomalies, indicative of severe drought conditions, have been observed across all of Indonesia, Malaysia and most of the Philippines, which are usually the first areas to experience ENSO-related impacts. This dryness can be expected to continue, on average, for the remainder of 2006 continuing into the early part of 2007. During the period November 2006 - January 2007 climate forecasts indicate that there is a high probability for above normal rainfall in the central and eastern equatorial Pacific Islands, the Korean Peninsula, the U.S. Gulf Coast and Florida, northern South America and equatorial east Africa. Taking into consideration current observations and climate forecast information, indications are that the following regions are at increased risk for disease outbreaks: Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and most of the southeast Asia Islands for increased dengue fever transmission and increased respiratory illness; Coastal Peru, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Colombia for increased risk of malaria; Bangladesh and coastal India for elevated risk of cholera; East Africa for increased risk of a Rift Valley fever outbreak and elevated malaria; southwest USA for increased risk for hantavirus pulmonary syndrome and plague; southern California for increased West Nile virus transmission; and northeast Brazil for increased dengue fever and respiratory illness.

    CONCLUSION: The current development of El Niño conditions has significant implications for global public health. Extremes in climate events with above normal rainfall and flooding in some regions and extended drought periods in other regions will occur. Forecasting disease is critical for timely and efficient planning of operational control programs. In this paper we describe developing global climate anomalies that suggest potential disease risks that will give decision makers additional tools to make rational judgments concerning implementation of disease prevention and mitigation strategies.

    Matched MeSH terms: Infection/etiology*; Infection/epidemiology
  15. Rosenthal VD, Maki DG, Mehta Y, Leblebicioglu H, Memish ZA, Al-Mousa HH, et al.
    Am J Infect Control, 2014 09;42(9):942-56.
    PMID: 25179325 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2014.05.029
    We report the results of an International Nosocomial Infection Control Consortium (INICC) surveillance study from January 2007-December 2012 in 503 intensive care units (ICUs) in Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. During the 6-year study using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) U.S. National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) definitions for device-associated health care-associated infection (DA-HAI), we collected prospective data from 605,310 patients hospitalized in the INICC's ICUs for an aggregate of 3,338,396 days. Although device utilization in the INICC's ICUs was similar to that reported from ICUs in the U.S. in the CDC's NHSN, rates of device-associated nosocomial infection were higher in the ICUs of the INICC hospitals: the pooled rate of central line-associated bloodstream infection in the INICC's ICUs, 4.9 per 1,000 central line days, is nearly 5-fold higher than the 0.9 per 1,000 central line days reported from comparable U.S. ICUs. The overall rate of ventilator-associated pneumonia was also higher (16.8 vs 1.1 per 1,000 ventilator days) as was the rate of catheter-associated urinary tract infection (5.5 vs 1.3 per 1,000 catheter days). Frequencies of resistance of Pseudomonas isolates to amikacin (42.8% vs 10%) and imipenem (42.4% vs 26.1%) and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates to ceftazidime (71.2% vs 28.8%) and imipenem (19.6% vs 12.8%) were also higher in the INICC's ICUs compared with the ICUs of the CDC's NHSN.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cross Infection/epidemiology*; Cross Infection/prevention & control*; Infection Control/methods; Infection Control/statistics & numerical data*
  16. Ganeswire R, Thong KL, Puthucheary SD
    J Hosp Infect, 2003 Apr;53(4):292-6.
    PMID: 12660126
    A nosocomial outbreak of bacteraemia, caused by Enterobacter gergoviae infected 11 babies, nine of whom were premature, and was investigated in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) of a general hospital in Johor Bahru, Malaysia. The strain that was isolated from the babies was also isolated from the dextrose saline used for the dilution of parenteral antibiotics and from the hands of a healthcare worker on duty in the nursery. Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) of Xba I-digested chromosomal DNA confirmed a possible cross-contamination of parenteral dextrose saline and the healthcare worker. Prompt and effective control measures were initiated within NICU and the nosocomial infection of E. gergoviae was brought to an abrupt end. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first documented outbreak of E. gergoviae in the NICU in a hospital in the state of Johor, Malaysia.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cross Infection/microbiology; Cross Infection/epidemiology*; Cross Infection/prevention & control; Infection Control/methods
  17. Sim SK, Ch'ng CH, Tan YC, Kandasamy R, Abdullah JM
    Med J Malaysia, 2014 Apr;69(2):86-8.
    PMID: 25241818 MyJurnal
    Subtentorial subdural empyema is a rare and life threatening intracranial suppuration. It is usually an intracranial complication of otogenic infections. Early diagnosis and surgical drainage are the most important factors determining prognosis. The high mortality reported in the literature reflects the severity of subtentorial subdural empyema if proper management is delayed. Intracranial infections usually require between 4 to 6 weeks of intravenous antibiotics therapy. However, the prolonged duration of hospitalization as well as requirement for neurosurgically inserted indwelling devices may predispose these patients to new nosocomial infections.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cross Infection; Infection
  18. Rahim RH, Barnett T
    Int J Nurs Pract, 2009 Dec;15(6):580-4.
    PMID: 19958414 DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-172X.2009.01800.x
    Nosocomial infection is a common cause of morbidity and mortality for hospitalized neonates. This report describes measures taken to reduce the prevalence of nosocomial infection within a 34-bed neonatal intensive care unit in Malaysia. Interventions included a one-to-one education programme for nursing staff (n = 30); the education of cleaners and health-care assistants allocated to work in the unit; and the introduction of routine (weekly) screening procedure for all infants with feedback given to staff. The education programme for nurses focused on the application of standard precautions to three common clinical procedures: hand washing, tracheobronchial suctioning and nasogastric tube feeding. These were evaluated using competency checklists. The prevalence of nosocomial blood and respiratory tract infections declined over the 7-month study period. This study highlights the importance of education in contributing to the control of nosocomial infection in the neonatal intensive care unit.
    Matched MeSH terms: Cross Infection/prevention & control*
  19. Yasmin AH, Yasmin MY
    Med J Malaysia, 1993 Jun;48(2):251-2.
    PMID: 8350809
    Matched MeSH terms: Infection Control*
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