Top stories in infectious disease: EMR tool reduces C. difficile testing, chlorhexidine prevents UTIs

Among the top stories in infectious disease last week were a study that reported an electronic medical record-based decision support matrix reduced the frequency of Clostridioides difficile testing and the number of patients potentially overtreated with antibiotics and trial results that found using chlorhexidine solution for meatal cleaning before urinary catheterization significantly decreased the incidence of catheter-associated asymptomatic bacteriuria and UTIs.

Other highlights included a study that suggested the clinical characteristics and epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia have changed over the past two decades, a study that found baseline genotype testing at HIV diagnosis provided minimal clinical benefit and was not cost-effective and research that found the connectivity of urban parks contributes to the spread of ticks.

EMR tool reduces C. difficile testing, antibiotic overtreatment

An electronic medical record-based decision support matrix implemented as a stewardship intervention reduced the frequency of Clostridioides difficile testing and the number of patients potentially overtreated with antibiotics, and improved the fidelity of the tests, researchers reported. Read more.

Chlorhexidine for meatal cleaning before catheterization prevents asymptomatic bacteriuria, UTIs

Using chlorhexidine solution for meatal cleaning before urinary catheterization significantly decreases the incidence of catheter-associated asymptomatic bacteriuria and UTIs, according to findings from a randomized controlled trial. Read more.

S. aureus bacteremia: Not a ‘static’ syndrome

The clinical characteristics and epidemiology of Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia have changed over the past 2 decades, according to researchers, who suggested that systemic monitoring of complications and identifying the emergence of hypervirulent clones through the genotyping may improve its clinical management. Read more.

Baseline genotype testing at HIV diagnosis not cost-effective

Baseline genotype testing at HIV diagnosis provides minimal clinical benefit and is not cost-effective with integrase strand inhibitor-based first-line regimens in the United States, according to study findings. Read more.

Connectivity of urban parks contributes to spread of ticks

Prompted by a rise in Lyme disease cases in Staten Island, researchers surveyed 24 urban parks in the five New York City boroughs and found certain features that were favorable to infected ticks, including vegetation and park connectivity. Read more.