Creator: Patrick Connole
Vented SNF Residents More Likely to Get C. Auris Infections
American Journal of Infection Control’s new study said SNF residents on ventilators were more likely to be infected by C. auris than other residents.
A new study in American Journal of Infection Control said SNF residents on ventilators were more likely to be infected by Candidozyma auris or C. auris, the multidrug-resistant fungus associated with substantial morbidity and mortality.
The study focused on residents living in 227 SNFs in the state of Maryland. The numbers show that 21 (9 percent) of facilities experienced C. auris transmission. Of 17 ventilator facilities, 62 percent had transmission.
“Transmission was associated with larger facility size [62 percent vs 31 percent, p=0.02], higher acuity index [mean 13.6 vs 12.7, p<0.01], higher minority concentration [67 percent vs 28 percent, p<0.01], lower family rating of care [85 percent vs 47 percent, p<0.01], and higher pressure ulcer prevalence among high-risk long-stay residents [14.6 percent vs 9.4 percent, p<0.01],” the report said.
In its summary, the researchers said C. auris transmission in Maryland SNFs was associated with facilities containing ventilated residents and with poor family rating of care and higher burden of pressure ulcers.
“Targeted screening and infection prevention resources should prioritize ventilator facilities and those with indicators of lower quality of care,” the report said.
Researchers said their study is the first to look at facility-level associations between quality of care and C. auris transmission. They also stressed the value of family and caregiver assessments of care quality and quality of life, pointing to their use in preventing healthcare-associated infections.
Comments or questions? Contact Patrick Connole at pconnole@parkplacelive.com.
