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Updated: Jun 7, 2025

Evaluating the Effectiveness of Cancer Drug Sensitization In Vitro and In Vivo
Published on: February 6, 2015
Failure mode and effects analysis-based strategies for controlling multidrug-resistant organism infections in cancer
Chunlin Wu1, Qingqing Tian1, Hui Wang1
1The Department of Hospital Infection Control and Public Health, Sichuan Cancer Hospital, Chengdu, China.
Abstract:
In the context of advancing medical procedures, postoperative infections in cancer patients, particularly those involving multidrug-resistant organisms, have become a significant clinical concern. This study aims to comprehensively and systematically evaluate the effectiveness of infection prevention and control for multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in postoperative cancer patients using Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA). This study was conducted in a tertiary A-level cancer specialty hospital in China, employing Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) to assess the risks of hospital infections. Intervention measures were implemented for high-risk and medium-high-risk factors. Through the hospital's infection information system, data on patients who underwent surgical treatment from 2017 to 2022 were extracted. Data from 2017 to 2019 served as the control group, and data from 2020 to 2022 as the intervention group, to compare the changes in hospital infection incidence and MDRO infection incidence before and after the intervention. Categorical data were described in terms of frequency and percentage. The chi-square test was utilized for statistical inference to assess the differences in infection rates before and after the intervention. Prior to the intervention (2017-2019), the incidence rate of hospital infections was 1.66%, which decreased to 1.22% after the intervention (2020-2022), showing a statistically significant difference (χ2 = 48.83, P < 0.001). The incidence rate of MDRO infections also decreased from 1.808‰ before the intervention to 1.136‰ after the intervention, with a statistically significant difference (χ2 = 11.417, P = 0.001). This study confirms the effectiveness of the FMEA method in preventing and controlling MDRO infections in postoperative cancer patients. It highlights the practicality and value of widespread adoption of this method, particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Insights
Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) significantly reduced hospital-acquired infections and multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) infections in postoperative cancer patients. This systematic approach proves effective for infection control in high-risk surgical settings.
Area of Science:
- Medical Microbiology
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Postoperative infections, especially those caused by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), pose a significant clinical challenge for cancer patients undergoing surgery.
- Proactive strategies are crucial to mitigate the risks associated with hospital-acquired infections in immunocompromised populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically evaluate the effectiveness of Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) in preventing and controlling MDRO infections in postoperative cancer patients.
- To assess the impact of FMEA-based interventions on overall hospital infection rates and specific MDRO infection rates.
Main Methods:
- A Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) was conducted in a tertiary cancer specialty hospital to identify infection risks.
- Intervention measures were implemented targeting high- and medium-high-risk factors identified by FMEA.
- Hospital infection data from 2017-2019 (control) and 2020-2022 (intervention) were analyzed using chi-square tests.
Main Results:
- Hospital infection incidence decreased from 1.66% (pre-intervention) to 1.22% (post-intervention), a statistically significant reduction (P < 0.001).
- MDRO infection incidence significantly decreased from 1.808‰ to 1.136‰ (P = 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) is an effective method for preventing and controlling multidrug-resistant organism infections in postoperative cancer patients.
- The FMEA approach demonstrates practical value and warrants widespread adoption, particularly in the context of global health challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic.
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