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Published on: July 9, 2012
Enhanced Carbapenemase Producing Enterobacterales (CPE) Screening in a Paediatric Population
D Broderick1, C McNicholas2, R J Drew1
1Department of Microbiology, Children's Health Ireland at Temple Street Children's University Hospital.
Insights
Extended screening for carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) in readmitted patients did not identify additional cases. Current screening protocols are sufficient, indicating no need to screen patients solely based on prior admission to TSCUH.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Diseases
- Healthcare Epidemiology
- Clinical Microbiology
Background:
- Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) pose a significant public health threat.
- Effective screening protocols are crucial for controlling CPE transmission in healthcare settings.
- Previous guidelines at TSCUH targeted specific patient groups for CPE screening.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the yield of extended CPE screening in patients readmitted to The Sydney Children's Hospital, University Hospital (TSCUH).
- To determine if including patients with a history of TSCUH inpatient stay within the preceding year would identify additional CPE-positive cases.
- To assess the effectiveness of enhanced education for Clinical Nurse Managers on CPE screening criteria.
Main Methods:
- An extended screening period was implemented over four months.
- Education on screening requirements was provided to Clinical Nurse Managers and reinforced during daily handovers.
- 917 patients were screened, including 314 additional patients compared to the previous year's screening data.
Main Results:
- Only two CPE-positive patients were identified during the extended screening period.
- These two positive cases would have been identified under the previous, less inclusive screening guidelines.
- The screening of an additional 314 patients (a 34% increase) yielded no new positive CPE cases.
Conclusions:
- The extended CPE screening protocol did not identify any additional positive cases beyond those captured by previous guidelines.
- Screening patients solely based on a history of TSCUH admission within the preceding year is not currently warranted.
- Current screening practices appear effective in identifying relevant CPE cases without unnecessary expansion.
Abstract:
Aims The aim of this period of extended screening (to include those being readmitted to TSCUH if they had been an inpatient in the preceding year) was to determine whether any additional CPE positive patients were identified. Methods Education was given to Clinical Nurse Managers regarding those requiring screening and reinforced at daily handover meetings. Results 917 patients were screened during the four-month period; only two positive patients were identified, who would have been screened under the previous local guidelines. Conclusion The screening of an additional 314 patients (34% increase compared with the same period in the previous year) yielded no positive results, showing that patients whose only risk factor was admission to TSCUH within the previous year do not currently require screening.
