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Research Studies is a compilation of published research articles funded by AHRQ or authored by AHRQ researchers.
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1 to 4 of 4 Research Studies DisplayedCannon JL, Park GW, Anderson B
Hygienic monitoring in long-term care facilities using ATP, crAssphage, and human noroviruses to direct environmental surface cleaning.
Norovirus and C. difficile can be transmitted by contaminated environmental surfaces and are associated with diarrheal illnesses and deaths in long-term care (LTC) facilities. Hygienic monitoring tools such as adenosine triphosphate (ATP) bioluminescence and indicators of fecal contamination can help to identify LTC facility surfaces with cleaning deficiencies. The researchers swabbed and tested high-touch surfaces in 11 LTC facilities for contamination by norovirus, a fecal indicator virus, crAssphage, and ATP. The study found that greater than 90% of surfaces tested positive for crAssphage or failed in their ATP scores. Norovirus contamination was not detected. Handrails, equipment controls, and patient beds were 4 times more likely than other surfaces or locations to have high levels of crAssphage. Patient bed handrails and tables and chairs in patient lounges had high levels of both ATP and crAssphage.
AHRQ-funded; HS025987.
Citation: Cannon JL, Park GW, Anderson B .
Hygienic monitoring in long-term care facilities using ATP, crAssphage, and human noroviruses to direct environmental surface cleaning.
Am J Infect Control 2022 Mar; 50(3):289-94. doi: 10.1016/j.ajic.2021.11.014..
Keywords: Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care, Prevention, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Clostridium difficile Infections
Kim JJ, Johnson JK, Stucke EM
Burden of perianal Staphylococcus aureus colonization in nursing home residents increases transmission to healthcare worker gowns and gloves.
Transmission of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) to health care workers (HCWs) on gowns and gloves has been an issue in nursing homes. This study evaluated the effect of the burden in 13 community-based nursing homes in Maryland and Michigan. Residents were cultured for S. aureus at the perianal skin and the anterior nares areas. A total of 403 residents were enrolled, with 169 colonized with methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) or methicillin-sensitive S. aureus (MSSA). Transmission to HCW gowns and gloves was greater from those colonized with greater quantities of S. aureus on the perianal skin. These findings inform future infection control practices for both MRSA and MSSA in nursing homes.
AHRQ-funded; HS019979; HS025451.
Citation: Kim JJ, Johnson JK, Stucke EM .
Burden of perianal Staphylococcus aureus colonization in nursing home residents increases transmission to healthcare worker gowns and gloves.
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2020 Dec;41(12):1396-401. doi: 10.1017/ice.2020.336..
Keywords: Elderly, Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Infectious Diseases, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Prevention
McKinnell JA, Miller LG, Singh RD
High prevalence of multidrug-resistant organism colonization in 28 nursing homes: an "iceberg effect."
The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus spp. (VRE), extended-spectrum beta-lactamase producing organisms (ESBLs), and carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae (CRE) among residents and in the environment of nursing homes (NHs). The investigators concluded that in more than half of the NHs, more than 50% of residents were colonized with MDROs of clinical and public health significance, most commonly MRSA and ESBL. Additionally, the vast majority of resident rooms and common areas were MDRO contaminated.
AHRQ-funded; HS024286.
Citation: McKinnell JA, Miller LG, Singh RD .
High prevalence of multidrug-resistant organism colonization in 28 nursing homes: an "iceberg effect."
J Am Med Dir Assoc 2020 Dec;21(12):1937-43.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.jamda.2020.04.007..
Keywords: Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care, Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs)
Adams C, Young D, Gastanaduy PA
Quantifying the roles of vomiting, diarrhea, and residents vs. staff in norovirus transmission in U.S. nursing home outbreaks.
Norovirus transmissibility is poorly understood and the goal of this study was to examine transmission via vomiting, diarrhea, and patient exposures. Six nursing home outbreaks in South Carolina were examined from 2014 to 2016. Vomiting infected 2.12 times the number of individuals as non-vomiters, diarrhea 1.39 times, and resident cases infected 1.53 times the number of individuals as staff cases. This finding is important for not just nursing homes, but other sites of norovirus outbreaks such as cruise ships.
AHRQ-funded; HS025987.
Citation: Adams C, Young D, Gastanaduy PA .
Quantifying the roles of vomiting, diarrhea, and residents vs. staff in norovirus transmission in U.S. nursing home outbreaks.
PLoS Comput Biol 2020 Mar;16(3):e1007271. doi: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1007271..
Keywords: Elderly, Nursing Homes, Long-Term Care, Infectious Diseases, Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs), Prevention, Public Health