Interventions to improve hand hygiene compliance in patient care

Four studies met the criteria for the review: two from the original review and two from the update. Two studies evaluated simple education initiatives, one using a randomized clinical trial design and the other a controlled before and after design. Both measured hand hygiene compliance by direct observation. The other two studies were both interrupted times series studies. One study presented three separate interventions within the same paper: simple substitutions of product and two multifaceted campaigns, one of which included involving practitioners in making decisions about choice of hand hygiene products and the components of the hand hygiene program. The other study also presented two separate multifaceted campaigns, one of which involved application of social marketing theory. In these two studies follow-up data collection continued beyond 12 months, and a proxy measure of hand hygiene compliance (product use) was recorded. Microbiological data were recorded in one study. Hand hygiene compliance increased for one of the studies where it was measured by direct observation, but the results from the other study were not conclusive. Product use increased in the two studies in which it was reported, with inconsistent results reported for one initiative. MRSA incidence decreased in the one study reporting microbiological data

Membrane biofouling by chlorine resistant <i>Bacillus</i> spp.: effect of feedwater chlorination on bacteria and membrane biofouling

<p>In this study, bacteria isolated from a lake were characterised for their chlorine resistivity and the effects of chlorination on growth, mortality, protein expression and attachment propensity towards membranes. Biofouling and membrane performance were analysed. All isolated chlorine resistant strains, characterised by 16s rRNA gene sequencing, belonged to the genus <i>Bacillus</i>. Chlorination caused limited effects on bacterial growth and mortality. <i>B. safensis</i> and <i>B. lechinoformis</i> suffered the maximum effects due to chlorination. Live-to-dead ratios immediately after chlorination were above 1.3, with some exceptions. The membrane pure water flux recovery was highly strain dependent. Irreversible membrane fouling was observed with <i>B. aquimaris</i>. Membrane flux decreased substantially during ultrafiltration of water containing chlorine resistant bacteria.</p

Aquablation therapy in large prostates (80-150 cc) for lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia: WATER II 3-year trial results.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to determine if Aquablation therapy can maintain its effectiveness in treating men with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with large-volume (80-150 cc) prostates at 3 years. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: One hundred one men with moderate-to-severe BPH symptoms and prostate volumes between 80 and 150 cc were enrolled in a prospective, nonrandomized, multicenter, international clinical trial in late 2017. Baseline, procedural, and follow-up parameters were recorded at baseline and scheduled postoperative visits. IPSS, Qmax, and treatment failure are reported at 3 years. RESULTS: The mean prostate volume was 107 cc (range 80-150). Mean IPSS improved from 23.2 at baseline to 6.5 at 3 years (16.3-point improvement, p &lt; 0.0001). Mean IPSS quality of life improved from 4.6 at baseline to 1.1 at 3 years (improvement of 3.4 points, p &lt; 0.0001). Maximum urinary flow increased from 8.7 to 18.5 cc/s. At 3 year follow-up, 6% of treated patients needed BPH medication and an additional 3% required surgical retreatment for LUTS. CONCLUSIONS: Three-year follow-up demonstrates a sustained symptom reduction response along with low irreversible complications to Aquablation in men with LUTS due to BPH and prostates of 80-150 cc. Current treatment options available for men with prostates of this size have similar efficacy outcomes but are burdened with high rates of irreversible complications. There are now numerous clinical studies with Aquablation used in various prostates sizes, and it should be offered as an option to men with LUTS due to BPH

Aquablation for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in Large Prostates (80-150 cc): 1-Year Results

OBJECTIVE To report 12-month safety and effectiveness outcomes of the Aquablation procedure for the treatment of men with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and large-volume prostates. METHODS One hundred and one men with moderate-to-severe BPH symptoms and prostate volumes of 80-150 cc underwent a robotic-assisted Aquablation procedure in a prospective multicenter international clinical trial. Functional and safety outcomes were assessed at 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS Mean prostate volume was 107 cc (range 80-150). Mean operative time was 37 minutes and mean Aquablation resection time was 8 minutes. The average length of hospital stay following the procedure was 1.6 days. Mean International Prostate Symptom Score improved from 23.2 at baseline to 6.2 at 12 months (P 100 at baseline). Antegrade ejaculation was maintained in 81% of sexually active men. No patient underwent a repeat procedure for BPH symptoms. There was a 2% de novo incontinence rate at 12 months, and 10 patients did require a transfusion postoperatively while 5 required take back fulgurations. At 12 months, prostate-specific antigen reduced from 7.1 ± 5.9 ng/mL at baseline to 4.4 ± 4.3 ng/mL. CONCLUSION The Aquablation procedure is demonstrated to be safe and effective in treating men with large prostates (80-150 cc) after 1 year of follow-up, with an acceptable complication rate and without a significant increase in procedure or resection time compared to smaller sized glands