Impact of COVID-19 on an infection prevention and control program, Iowa 2020-2021

Mohammed Alsuhaibani; Takaaki Kobayashi; Chad McPherson; Stephanie Holley; Alexandre R Marra; Alexandra Trannel; Angelique Dains; Oluchi J Abosi; Kyle E Jenn; Holly Meacham; Lorinda Sheeler; William Etienne; Mary E Kukla; Melanie Wellington; Michael B Edmond; Daniel J Diekema; Jorge L Salinas

doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2021.11.015

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Impact of COVID-19 on an infection prevention and control program, Iowa 2020-2021

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Impact of COVID-19 on an infection prevention and control program, Iowa 2020-2021

Mohammed Alsuhaibani, Takaaki Kobayashi, Chad McPherson, Stephanie Holley, Alexandre R Marra, Alexandra Trannel, Angelique Dains, Oluchi J Abosi, Kyle E Jenn, Holly Meacham, …

American journal of infection control, Vol.50(3), pp.277-282

12/23/2021

DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2021.11.015

PMCID: PMC8731683

PMID: 35000801

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Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected infection prevention and control (IPC) programs worldwide. We evaluated the impact of COVID-19 on the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics IPC program by measuring the volume of calls to the program, changes in healthcare-associated infection rates, and team member perceptions. We retrieved the IPC call log and healthcare-associated infection trends for 2018-2020. We defined 2 periods: pre-COVID-19 (2018-2019) and COVID-19 (January-December 2020). We also conducted one-on-one interviews and focus group interviews with members of the IPC program and describe changes in their working conditions during the COVID-19 period. A total of 6,564 calls were recorded during 2018-2020. The pre-COVID-19 period had a median of 71 calls and/or month (range: 50-119). During the COVID-19 period, the median call volume increased to 368/month (range: 149-829), and most calls were related to isolation precautions (50%). During the COVID-19 period, the central line-associated bloodstream infection incidence increased significantly. Infection preventionists reported that the ambiguity and conflicting guidance during the pandemic were major challenges. Our IPC program experienced a 500% increase in consultation requests. Planning for future bio-emergencies should include creative strategies to increase response capacity within IPC programs.

COVID-19

Healthcare-associated infection

Hospital epidemiology

Infection control

Details

Title: Subtitle: Impact of COVID-19 on an infection prevention and control program, Iowa 2020-2021
Creators: Mohammed Alsuhaibani - University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Qassim University, Qassim, Saudi Arabia. Electronic address: moa.alsuhaibani@qu.edu.sa
Takaaki Kobayashi - University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
Chad McPherson - University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
Stephanie Holley - University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
Alexandre R Marra - University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA; Instituto Israelita de Ensino e Pesquisa Albert Einstein, Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein, São Paulo, Brazil
Alexandra Trannel - University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
Angelique Dains - University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
Oluchi J Abosi - University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
Kyle E Jenn - University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
Holly Meacham - University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
Lorinda Sheeler - University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
William Etienne - University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
Mary E Kukla - University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
Melanie Wellington - University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
Michael B Edmond - Department of Medicine, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown, WV, USA
Daniel J Diekema - University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, IA, USA
Jorge L Salinas - Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: American journal of infection control, Vol.50(3), pp.277-282
DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2021.11.015
PMID: 35000801
PMCID: PMC8731683
NLM abbreviation: Am J Infect Control
eISSN: 1527-3296
Language: English
Date published: 12/23/2021
Academic Unit: Infectious Diseases; Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Pathology; Infectious Disease (Pediatrics); Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984210348202771

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