Publications
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Birgand G, Biccard B, Deslandes A, et al., 2024, Role of anaesthesia providers in infection-related care across the perioperative pathway: a global survey., Br J Anaesth, Vol: 132, Pages: 197-200
Birgand G, Dhar P, Holmes A, 2023, The threat of antimicrobial resistance in surgical care: the surgeon’s role and ownership of antimicrobial stewardship, British Journal of Surgery, Vol: 110, Pages: 1567-1569, ISSN: 0007-1323
Conlin M, Leroy A-G, Asquier-Khati A, et al., 2023, Qualitative assessment of the national initiative to implement antimicrobial stewardship centres in French administrative regions, Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control, Vol: 12, Pages: 1-11, ISSN: 2047-2994
BackgroundIn May 2020, the French Ministry of Health funded the creation of regional antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) coordination centres (CRAtb) in preparation for the new national framework for the prevention of antimicrobial resistance. This study aimed to assess through qualitative methods the implementation process, the activities carried out, and the interactions with other regional stakeholders of the newly created CRAtb.MethodsWe conducted a mixed-method study based on a cross-sectional survey and semi-structured interviews by French regions among implemented CRAtb. Of the eight eligible French regions with an existing CRAtb, seven participated to the online survey. Regional partners involved in AMS from the eight regions were interviewed between September 2021 and April 2022. The survey questionnaire addressed, through closed questions, the organization of the CRAtb, articulation with other regional actors involved in AMS and infection prevention and control (IPC), and AMS activities. The semi-structured interviews approached the implementation and the role of CRAtb, and the collaboration of other AMS and IPC stakeholders. Interview transcripts were analysed using thematic content analysis methodology.ResultsAMS activities carried out by CRAtb were mainly focusing on hospitals (n = 3), primary care (n = 2) and nursing homes (n = 1). Education mostly relied on training days and AMS help lines, communication on websites and newsletters. CRAtb members reported still being more engaged in providing advice to professionals for individual antibiotic treatments rather than collective-level AMS activities. Interactions were frequent between CRAtb, IPC regional centres and health authorities, but rarely involved other stakeholders. Interviews were performed with 28 professionals involved in AMS from eight regions. Pre-existing networks and working relationships in AMS and more broadly facilitated the implementation of CRAtb.
Bornand E, Letourneux F, Deschanvres C, et al., 2023, Social representations of mask wearing in the general population during the COVID-19 pandemic, Frontiers in Public Health, Vol: 11, Pages: 1-11, ISSN: 2296-2565
Introduction: Although one of the most prominent interventions against COVID-19, face masks seem poorly adopted by the general population. A growing body of literature has found that using face masks has social meaning. This qualitative study assessed the perceptions, representations and practices of mask wearing in the general population.Methods: A qualitative survey by short semi-structured walking interviews was carried out from April to December 2021 in 11 cities in France's Pays de la Loire region. Study locations were selected for their varied geographical, social, and economic characteristics, with urbanized and rural areas. Four domains linked to perceptions of masks and wearing them were explored: (i) evolution in mask wearing, (ii) decision-making methods for wearing and not wearing; (iii) incorporating the mask into way of life; (iv) projecting into the future.Results: A total of 116 people were interviewed. Masks marked a shift from the ordinary world to the pandemic. Overall, interviewees considered masks an obstacle to breathing, communication, and social interactions, leading to establishing strategies circumventing the mask mandate. Poor attention was paid to their medical usefulness as an obligatory clothing accessory. Mask-wearing decisions were driven by social relations, common sense, and vulnerability. The greater the feeling of security (i.e., being with close relatives), the less it was worn or worn properly, with decreased attention to others and their health. Most participants did not remember learning to wear a mask. Some were convinced that mask-wearing could not be learned (experiential knowledge). Institutions (school and work) played a central role by facilitating incorporation of masks into daily life.Conclusions: This study emphasizes the need to reinforce the individual medical values of face masks to prevent COVID-19. Ambitious education and training programmes should be planned to learn how and when to wear masks. Institutions (wor
Asquier-Khati A, Deschanvres C, Chaslerie A, et al., 2023, Expert consensus on monitoring antimicrobial stewardship in French nursing homes using assessed reimbursement database indicators, Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, Vol: 5, Pages: 1-9, ISSN: 0305-7453
ObjectivesMonitoring the appropriateness of antibiotic prescriptions with indicators based on reimbursement data is required to guide antibiotic stewardship (AMS) interventions in nursing homes (NHs). Quantity metrics (QMs) monitor the volume of prescriptions while proxy indicators (PIs) reflect the appropriateness of antibiotic use. Our objectives were: (i) to provide a relevant consensual set of indicators to be used in French NHs; and (ii) to assess the feasibility of their implementation at the national and local scale.MethodsNine French professional organizations implicated in AMS in NHs were asked to nominate at least one member to create a national expert panel of 20 physicians. Twenty-one recently published QMs and 11 PIs were assessed by the expert panel. Indicators were evaluated using a RAND-modified Delphi procedure comprising two online surveys and a videoconference meeting. Indicators were kept in the final list if >70% of stakeholders validated their relevance for estimating the volume (QMs) and appropriateness (PIs) of prescriptions.ResultsOf the 21 QM indicators submitted to the panel, 14 were selected, describing the consumption of antibiotics overall (n = 3), broad-spectrum (n = 6) and second-line antibiotics (n = 2). The three remaining QMs evaluated the route of administration (n = 1) and urine culture prescriptions (n = 2). Ten PIs (six modified, two rejected, one new) were selected to assess the appropriateness of prescriptions for urinary tract infections (n = 2), seasonal variations in prescriptions (n = 2), repeated prescriptions of fluoroquinolones (n = 1), cephalosporins’ route of administration (n = 1), duration of treatment (n = 1), rate of second-line antibiotics (n = 1), co-prescriptions with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (n = 1), and flu vaccine coverage (n = 1). The panel was in favour of using these indicators for regional and facility level AMS programmes (91%), feedback to NH prescribers (82%), benchmarking by he
Birgand G, Ahmad R, Bulabula ANH, et al., 2022, Innovation for infection prevention and control-revisiting Pasteur's vision, LANCET, Vol: 400, Pages: 2250-2260, ISSN: 0140-6736
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Ahuja S, Singh S, Charani E, et al., 2022, An evaluation of the implementation of interventions to reduce post-operative infections and optimise antibiotic use across the surgical pathway in India: A mixed methods exploratory study protocol, Pilot and Feasibility Studies, Vol: 8, ISSN: 2055-5784
Introduction:Postoperative infections represent a significant burden of disease, demanding antibiotic prescriptions, and are contributing to antimicrobial resistance. The burden of infection as a surgical complication is greater in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). We report the protocol of a pilot study for the co-design, implementation and evaluation of two infection prevention and control (IPC) and antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) interventions across the surgical pathway in a teaching hospital in India.Methods and analysis:The two interventions developed following in-depth qualitative enquiry are (i) surveillance and feedback of postoperative infections to optimise the use of antibiotics in two surgical departments (gastrointestinal and cardiovascular and thoracic surgery) and (ii) raising awareness amongst patients, carers and members of public about IPC and AMS. We will conduct a prospective study, formatively evaluating the implementation process of delivering the two co-designed interventions using implementation science frameworks. The study will systematically assess the context of intervention delivery, so that implementation support for the interventions may be adapted to the needs of stakeholders throughout the study. Analysis of implementation logs and interviews with stakeholders upon completion of the implementation period, will offer insights into the perceived acceptability, appropriateness, feasibility and sustainability of the interventions and their implementation support. Implementation costs will be captured descriptively. Feasibility of clinical data collection to investigate effectiveness of interventions will also be assessed for a future larger study. Thematic framework analysis and descriptive statistics will be used to report the qualitative and quantitative data, respectively.Strengths and limitations of this study:• The paired interventions have been co-designed from their inception with involvement of stakeholders at diffe
Eichel VM, Brühwasser C, Castro-Sánchez E, et al., 2022, Cross-site collaboration on infection prevention and control research-room for improvement? A 7-year comparative study in five European countries., Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control, Vol: 11, Pages: 1-9, ISSN: 2047-2994
BACKGROUND: The spread of SARS-CoV-2, multidrug-resistant organisms and other healthcare-associated pathogens represents supra-regional challenges for infection prevention and control (IPC) specialists in every European country. To tackle these problems, cross-site research collaboration of IPC specialists is very important. This study assesses the extent and quality of national research collaborations of IPC departments of university hospitals located in Austria, England, France, Germany, and the Netherlands, identifies network gaps, and provides potential solutions. METHODS: Joint publications of IPC heads of all university hospitals of the included countries between 1st of June 2013 until 31st of May 2020 were collected by Pubmed/Medline search. Further, two factors, the journal impact factor and the type/position of authorship, were used to calculate the Scientific Collaboration Impact (SCI) for all included sites; nationwide network analysis was performed. RESULTS: In five European countries, 95 sites and 125 responsible leaders for IPC who had been in charge during the study period were identified. Some countries such as Austria have only limited national research cooperations, while the Netherlands has established a gapless network. Most effective collaborating university site of each country were Lille with an SCI of 1146, Rotterdam (408), Berlin (268), Sussex (204), and Vienna/Innsbruck (18). DISCUSSION: The present study indicates major differences and room for improvement in IPC research collaborations within each country and underlines the potential and importance of collaborating in IPC.
Paumier A, Asquier Kathi A, Thibaut S, et al., 2022, Assessment of factors associated with community-onset Extended Spectrum Beta-Lactamase producing Escherichia coli urinary tract infections in France, Jama Network Open, Vol: 5, ISSN: 2574-3805
Importance: Extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)–producing Escherichia coli is considered a leading pathogen contributing to the global burden of antimicrobial resistance.Objective: To better understand factors associated with the heterogeneity of community-acquired ESBL-producing E coli urinary tract infections (UTIs) in France.Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional study performed from January 1 to December 31, 2021, was based on data collected via PRIMO (Surveillance and Prevention of Antimicrobial Resistance in Primary Care and Nursing Homes), a nationwide clinical laboratory surveillance system in France. Strains of E coli isolated from community urine samples from January 1 to December 31, 2019, from 59 administrative departments of metropolitan France were included.Main Outcomes and Measures: Quasi-Poisson regression models were used to assess the associations between several ecological factors available on government and administration websites between 2010 and 2020 (demographic population structure, living conditions, baseline health care services, antibiotic consumptions, economic indicators, animal farming density, and environmental characteristics) and the number of ESBL-producing E coli strains isolated from urine samples of individuals with community-acquired UTI in 2019.Results: Among 444 281 E coli isolates from urine samples tested in 1013 laboratories, the mean prevalence of ESBL-producing E coli was 3.0% (range, 1.4%-8.8%). In an adjusted model, the number of community-acquired ESBL-producing E coli UTIs in each department was positively associated with the percentage of children younger than 5 years (adjusted β1 coefficient, 0.112 [95% CI, 0.040-0.185]; P = .004), overcrowded households (adjusted β1 coefficient, 0.049 [95% CI, 0.034 to 0.062]; P < .001), consumption of fluoroquinolones (adjusted β1 coefficient, 0.002 [95% CI, 0.001-0.002]; P < .001), a
Birgand G, Charani E, Ahmad R, et al., 2022, Interventional research to tackle antimicrobial resistance in Low Middle Income Countries in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic: lessons in resilience from an international consortium., International Journal of Infectious Diseases, Vol: 117, ISSN: 1201-9712
This article summarizes the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, on an international project to tackle the antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The research leadership and process, the access to data and stakeholders were deeply disrupted by the national and international response to the pandemic, including the interruption of healthcare delivery, lockdowns, and quarantines. The key principles to deliver the research through the pandemic were mainly the high degree of interdisciplinary engagement with integrated teams, an equitable partnership across sites with capacity building and leadership training. The level of pre-existing collaboration and partnership were also keys to sustain connections and involvements throughout the pandemic. The pandemic offered opportunities for realigning research priorities. Flexibility in funding timelines and projects inputs are required to accommodate variance introduced by external factors. The current models for research collaboration and funding need to be critically evaluated and redesigned to retain the innovation which has been shown to be successful through this current experience.
Ahuja S, Peiffer-Smadja N, Peven K, et al., 2022, Use of feedback data to reduce surgical site infections and optimize antibiotic use in surgery a systematic scoping review, Annals of Surgery, Vol: 275, Pages: E345-E352, ISSN: 0003-4932
Objective: Surgical site infection (SSI) prevention remains significant, particularly in the era of antimicrobial resistance. Feedback on practices and outcomes is known to be key to reduce SSI rates and optimize antibiotic usage. However, the optimal method, format and frequency of feedback for surgical teams remains unclear. The objective of the study is to understand how data from surveillance and audit are fed back in routine surgical practice.Methods: A systematic scoping review was conducted, using well-established implementation science frameworks to code the data. Two electronic health-oriented databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE) were searched to September 2019. We included studies that assessed the use of feedback as a strategy either in the prevention and management of SSI and/or in the use of antibiotics perioperatively.Results: We identified 21 studies: 17 focused on SSI rates and outcomes and 10 studies described antimicrobial stewardship for SSI (with some overlap in focus). Several interventions were reported, mostly multimodal with feedback as a component. Feedback was often provided in written format (62%), either individualized (38%) or in group (48%). Only 25% of the studies reported that feedback cascaded down to the frontline perioperative staff. In 65% of the studies, 1 to 5 implementation strategies were used while only 5% of the studies reported to have utilized more than 15 implementation strategies. Among studies reporting antibiotic usage in surgery, most (71%) discussed compliance with surgical antibiotic prophylaxis.Conclusions: Our findings highlight the need to provide feedback to all levels of perioperative care providers involved in patient care. Future research in this area should report implementation parameters in more detail.
Charani E, Holmes A, Bonaconsa C, et al., 2021, Investigating infection management and antimicrobial stewardship in surgery: a qualitative study from India and South Africa, Clinical Microbiology and Infection, Vol: 27, Pages: 1455-1464, ISSN: 1198-743X
Objectives To investigate the drivers for infection management and antimicrobial stewardship (AMS) across high infection risk surgical pathways. Methods An qualitative study, ethnographic observation of clinical practices, patient case studies, and face-to-face interviews with healthcare professionals (HCP) and patients was conducted across cardiovascular and thoracic and gastrointestinal surgical pathways in South Africa (SA) and India. Aided by Nvivo 11 software, data were coded and analysed until saturation was reached. The multiple modes of enquiry enabled cross-validation and triangulation of findings.Results Between July 2018–August 2019 data were gathered from 190 hours of non-participant observations (138 India, 72 SA); interviews with HCPs (44 India, 61 SA); patients (6 India, 8 SA), and, case studies (4 India, 2 SA). Across the surgical pathway, multiple barriers impede effective infection management and AMS. The existing, implicit roles of HCPs (including nurses, and senior surgeons) are overlooked as interventions target junior doctors, bypassing the opportunity for integrating infection-related care across the surgical team. Critically, the ownership of decisions remains with the operating surgeons and entrenched hierarchies restrict the inclusion of other HCPs in decision-making. The structural foundations to enable staff to change their behaviours and participate in infection-related surgical care is lacking.ConclusionsIdentifying the implicit existing HCPs roles in infection management is critical and will facilitate the development of effective and transparent processes across the surgical team for optimised care. Applying a framework approach that includes nurse leadership, empowering pharmacists and engaging surgical leads is essential for integrated AMS and infection-related care. Keywords: antibiotic prescribing, infection control, ethnography, low- and middle-income country, surgery
Birgand G, Mutters N, Otter J, et al., 2021, Variation of national and international guidelines on respiratory protection for healthcare professionals during the COVID-19 pandemic, Jama Network Open, Vol: 4, Pages: 1-5, ISSN: 2574-3805
Ahmad R, Atun R, Birgand G, et al., 2021, Macro level influences on strategic responses to the COVID-19 pandemic – an international survey and tool for national assessments, Journal of Global Health, Vol: 11, Pages: 1-11, ISSN: 2047-2978
Background Variation in the approaches taken to contain the SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) pandemic at country level has been shaped by economic and political considerations, technical capacity, and assumptions about public behaviours. To address the limited application of learning from previous pandemics, this study aimed to analyse perceived facilitators and inhibitors during the pandemic and to inform the development of an assessment tool for pandemic response planning.Methods A cross-sectional electronic survey of health and non-healthcare professionals (5 May - 5 June 2020) in six languages, with respondents recruited via email, social media and website posting. Participants were asked to score inhibitors (-10 to 0) or facilitators (0 to +10) impacting country response to COVID-19 from the following domains – Political, Economic, Sociological, Technological, Ecological, Legislative, and wider Industry (the PESTELI framework). Participants were then asked to explain their responses using free text. Descriptive and thematic analysis was followed by triangulation with the literature and expert validation to develop the assessment tool, which was then compared with four existing pandemic planning frameworks.Results 928 respondents from 66 countries (57% healthcare professionals) participated. Political and economic influences were consistently perceived as powerful negative forces and technology as a facilitator across high- and low-income countries. The 103-item tool developed for guiding rapid situational assessment for pandemic planning is comprehensive when compared to existing tools and highlights the interconnectedness of the 7 domains. Conclusions The tool developed and proposed addresses the problems associated with decision making in disciplinary silos and offers a means to refine future use of epidemic modelling.
Zhu J, Ferlie E, Castro-Sánchez E, et al., 2021, Macro level factors influencing strategic responses to emergent pandemics: a scoping review, Journal of Global Health, Vol: 11, Pages: 1-16, ISSN: 2047-2978
Background: Strategic planning is critical for successful pandemic management. This study aimed to identify and review the scope and analytic depth of situation analyses conducted to understand their utility, and capture the documented macro-level factors impacting4pandemic management. Methods: To synthesise this disparate body of literature, we adopted a two-step search and 6review process. A systematic search of the literature was conducted to identify all studies since 2000, that have 1) employed a situation analysis;and2) examined contextual factors influencing pandemic management. The included studies are analysed using a seven-domain systems approach rom the discipline of strategic management. Findings: Nineteen studies were included in the final review ranging from single country (6) to regional, multi-country studies (13). Fourteen studies had a single disease focus, with 5 studies evaluating responses to one or more of COVID-19, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS),Influenza A (H1N1),Ebola virus disease, and Zika virus disease pandemics. Six studies examined a single domain from political, economic, sociological, technological, ecological or wider industry(PESTELI), 5 studies examined two to four domains, and8studies examined five or more domains. Methods employed were predominantly literature reviews. The recommendations focus predominantly on addressing inhibitors in the sociological and technological domains with few recommendations articulated in the political domain. Overall, the legislative domain is least represented. Conclusions: Ex-post analysis using the seven-domain strategic management framework provides further opportunities for a planned systematic response to pandemics which remains critical as the current COVID-19 pandemic evolves.
Deschanvres C, Haudebourg T, Peiffer-Smadja N, et al., 2021, How do the general population behave with facemasks to prevent COVID-19 in the community? A multi-site observational study, Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control, Vol: 10, ISSN: 2047-2994
OBJECTIVE: The appropriate use of facemasks, recommended or mandated by authorities, is critical to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the community. We aim to evaluate frequency and quality of facemask use in general populations. METHODS: A multi-site observational study was carried out from June to July 2020 in the west of France. An observer was positioned at a predetermined place, facing a landmark, and all individual passing between the observer and the landmark were included. The observer collected information on facemask use (type, quality of positioning), location and demographic characteristics. RESULTS: A total of 3354 observations were recorded. A facemask was worn by 56.4% (n=1892)of individuals, including surgical facemasks (56.8%, n=1075) and cloth masks (43.2%,n=817). The facemask was correctly positioned in 75.2% (n=1422) of cases. The factors independently associated with wearing a facemask were being indoors(adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.7; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.28-3.19), being in a mandatory area (aOR, 6.92; 95%CI, 5-9.7), female gender (aOR, 1.75; 95%CI, 1.54-2.04), age 41-65 years (aOR, 1.7; 95%CI, 1.43-2.02) and age >65 years (aOR, 2.28;95%CI, 1.83-2.85). The factors independently associated with correct mask position were rural location (aOR, 1.38; 95%CI, 1.07-1.79), being in an indoor area (aOR, 1.85;95%CI, 1.49-2.3), use of clothmask (aOR, 1.53; 95%CI, 1.23-1.91), and age >40 years (aOR, 1.75 95%CI 1.37-2.23).CONCLUSIONS: During the initial phase of the COVID-19 pandemic, the frequency and quality of facemask wearing remained low in the community setting. Young people in general, and men in particular, represent the priority targets for information campaigns. Simplifying the rules to require universal mandatory facemasking seemed to be the best approach for health authorities.
Birgand G, Blanckaert K, Deschanvres C, et al., 2021, Testing strategies for the control of COVID-19 in nursing homes: Universal or targeted screening?, Journal of Infection, Vol: 82, Pages: 159-198, ISSN: 0163-4453
Birgand G, Peiffer-Smadja N, Fournier S, et al., 2020, Assessment of air contamination by SARS-CoV-2 in hospital settings, Jama Network Open, Vol: 3, ISSN: 2574-3805
IMPORTANCE: Controversy remains regarding the transmission routes of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).OBJECTIVE: To review current evidence on air contamination with SARS-CoV-2 in hospital settings and the factors associated with contamination, including viral load and particle size. EVIDENCE REVIEW: The MEDLINE, Embase, and Web of Science databases were systematically queried for original English-language articles detailing SARS-CoV-2 air contamination in hospital settings between December 1, 2019, and October 27, 2020. This study was conducted in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for ScopingReviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. The positivity rate of SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA and culture were described and compared according to the setting, clinical context, air ventilation system, and distance from patient. The SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations in copies per meter cubed of air were pooled, and their distribution was described by hospital areas. Particle sizes and SARS-CoV-2 RNA concentrations in copies or median tissue culture infectious dose per meter cubed were analyzed after categorization as less than 1 μm, from 1 to 4 μm, and greater than 4 μm. FINDINGS: Among 2284 records identified, 24 cross-sectional observational studies were included in the review. Overall, 82 of 471 air samples from close patients’ environment (17.4%) were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA, without difference according to the setting (intensive care unit, 27 of 107[25.2%]; non–intensive care unit, 39 of 364 [10.7%];P< .01), the distance from patients (<1 m, 3 of118 [2.5%]; 1-5 m, 13 of 236 [5.5%];P= .20). The positivity rate was 5 of 21 air samples (23.8%) in toilets, 20 of 242 (8.3%) in clinical areas, 15 of 122 (12.3%) in staff areas, and 14 of 42 (33.3%) in public areas. A total of 81 viral cultures were performed across 5 studies, and 7 (8.6%) were positive, all from close patient envi
Ahuja S, Godwin G, Birgand G, et al., 2020, Understanding the intervention co-design process for perioperative antibiotic use at tertiary care hospital in Southern part of India: a two phased qualitative study, Publisher: BMC, ISSN: 1748-5908
Tsioutis C, Birgand G, Bathoorn E, et al., 2020, Education and training programmes for infection prevention and control professionals: mapping the current opportunities and local needs in European countries, Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control, Vol: 9, Pages: 1-12, ISSN: 2047-2994
BackgroundStudies have repeatedly highlighted the need for homogenisation of training content and opportunities in infection prevention and control (IPC) across European countries.ObjectivesTo map current training opportunities for IPC professionals, define local needs and highlight differences, across 11 European countries (Cyprus, France, England, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Romania, Spain, Switzerland).SourcesFrom July 2018 to February 2019, IPC experts directly involved in IPC training and education in their countries and/or internationally were invited to complete a prespecified set of questions in order to provide a detailed description of IPC training opportunities and needs in their country.ConclusionsIPC training among nurses and doctors varies greatly across countries, with differences in content and type of training (e.g., standardised curriculum, educational programme, clinical experience) duration, as well as in assessment and recognition/accreditation. The observed heterogeneity in IPC training between European countries can be eliminated through establishment of interdisciplinary region-wide training programmes, with common learning objectives, shared know-how and supported by national and international professional bodies.
Charani E, Singh S, Mendelson M, et al., 2020, Building resilient and responsive research collaborations to tackle antimicrobial resistance – lessons learnt from India, South Africa and UK, International Journal of Infectious Diseases, Vol: 100, Pages: 278-282, ISSN: 1201-9712
Research, collaboration and knowledge exchange are critical to global efforts to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Different healthcare economies are faced with different challenges in implementing effective strategies to address AMR. Building effective capacity for research to inform AMR related strategies and policies AMR is recognised as an important contributor to success. Interdisciplinary, inter-sector, as well as inter-country collaboration is needed to span AMR efforts from the global to local. Developing reciprocal, long-term, partnerships between collaborators in high-income and low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) needs to be built on principles of capacity building. Using case-studies spanning local to international research collaborations to co-design, implement and evaluate strategies to tackle AMR, we evaluate and build upon the ESSENCE criteria for capacity building in LMICs. The first case-study describes the local co-design and implementation of antimicrobial stewardship in the state of Kerala in India. The second case-study describes an international research collaboration investigating AMR across surgical pathways in India, UK and South Africa. We describe the steps undertaken to develop robust, agile, and flexible antimicrobial stewardship research and implementation teams. Notably, investing in capacity building ensured that the programmes described in these case-studies were sustained through the current severe acute respiratory syndrome corona virus pandemic. Describing the strategies adopted by a local and an international collaboration to tackle AMR, we provide a model for capacity building in LMICs that can support sustainable and agile antimicrobial stewardship programmes.
Peiffer-Smadja N, Rawson TM, Ahmad R, et al., 2020, machine learning for clinical decision support in infectious diseases: a narrative review of current applications (vol 26, pg 584, 2020), Clinical Microbiology and Infection, Vol: 26, Pages: 1118-1118, ISSN: 1198-743X
Birgand G, Haudebourg T, Grammatico-Guillon L, et al., 2020, Intraoperative door openings and surgical site infection: a causal association?, Clinical Infectious Diseases, Vol: 71, Pages: 469-470, ISSN: 1058-4838
Masson C, Birgand G, Castro-Sanchez E, et al., 2020, Is virtual reality effective to teach prevention of surgical site infections in the operating room? study protocol for a randomised controlled multicentre trial entitled VIP Room study, BMJ Open, Vol: 10, Pages: 1-7, ISSN: 2044-6055
Introduction Some surgical site infections (SSI) could be prevented by following adequate infection prevention and control (IPC) measures. Poor compliance with IPC measures often occurs due to knowledge gaps and insufficient education of healthcare professionals. The education and training of SSI preventive measures does not usually take place in the operating room (OR), due to safety, and organisational and logistic issues. The proposed study aims to compare virtual reality (VR) as a tool for medical students to learn the SSI prevention measures and adequate behaviours (eg, limit movements…) in the OR, to conventional teaching.Methods and analysis This protocol describes a randomised controlled multicentre trial comparing an educational intervention based on VR simulation to routine education. This multicentre study will be performed in three universities: Grenoble Alpes University (France), Imperial College London (UK) and University of Heidelberg (Germany). Third-year medical students of each university will be randomised in two groups. The students randomised in the intervention group will follow VR teaching. The students randomised in the control group will follow a conventional education programme. Primary outcome will be the difference between scores obtained at the IPC exam at the end of the year between the two groups. The written exam will be the same in the three countries. Secondary outcomes will be satisfaction and students’ progression for the VR group. The data will be analysed with intention-to-treat and per protocol.Ethics and dissemination This study has been approved by the Medical Education Ethics Committee of the London Imperial College (MEEC1920-172), by the Ethical Committee for the Research of Grenoble Alpes University (CER Grenoble Alpes-Avis-2019-099-24-2) and by the Ethics Committee of the Medical Faculty of Heidelberg University (S-765/2019). Results will be published in peer-reviewed medical journals, communicated to partici
Peiffer-Smadja N, Rawson TM, Ahmad R, et al., 2020, Machine learning for clinical decision support in infectious diseases: A narrative review of current applications, Clinical Microbiology and Infection, Vol: 26, Pages: 584-595, ISSN: 1198-743X
BACKGROUNDMachine learning (ML) is a growing field in medicine. This narrative review describes the current body of literature on ML for clinical decision support in infectious diseases (ID). OBJECTIVESWe aim to inform clinicians about the use of ML for diagnosis, classification, outcome prediction and antimicrobial management in ID.SOURCESReferences for this review were identified through searches of MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, biorXiv, ACM Digital Library, arXiV and IEEE Xplore Digital Library up to July 2019.CONTENTWe found 60 unique ML-CDSS aiming to assist ID clinicians. Overall, 37 (62%) focused on bacterial infections, 10 (17%) on viral infections, nine (15%) on tuberculosis and four (7%) on any kind of infection. Among them, 20 (33%) addressed the diagnosis of infection, 18 (30%) the prediction, early detection or stratification of sepsis, 13 (22%) the prediction of treatment response, four (7%) the prediction of antibiotic resistance, three (5%) the choice of antibiotic regimen and two (3%) the choice of a combination antiretroviral therapy. The ML-CDSS were developed for intensive care units (n=24, 40%), ID consultation (n=15, 25%), medical or surgical wards (n=13, 20%), emergency department (n=4, 7%), primary care (n=3, 5%) and antimicrobial stewardship (n=1, 2%). Fifty-three ML-CDSS (88%) were developed using data from high-income countries and seven (12%) with data from low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). The evaluation of ML-CDSS was limited to measures of performance (e.g. sensitivity, specificity) for 57 ML-CDSS (95%) and included data in clinical practice for three (5%). IMPLICATIONSConsidering comprehensive patient data from socioeconomically diverse health care settings, including primary care and LMICs, may improve the ability of ML-CDSS to suggest decisions adapted to various clinical contexts. Currents gaps identified in the evaluation of ML-CDSS must also be addressed in order to know the potential impact of such tools for cli
Birgand G, Troughton R, Mariano V, et al., 2020, How do surgeons feel about the “Getting it Right First Time” national audit? Results from a qualitative assessment., Journal of Hospital Infection, Vol: 104, Pages: 328-331, ISSN: 0195-6701
The implementation of thenational“Getting It Right First Time” (GIRFT)was assessed by interviewing six surgeonsinvolvedat various levelsinsurgical site infection (SSI) audit.The positive impacts were to create new professional collaboration, improve stakeholder engagement, and increase the profile of SSIs. One particular knowledgegap highlighted was that some participantshad been unaware until that point of the criteria for diagnosing an SSI. The quality of data collected was felt poor due to methodological flaws. The audit was described as highly time-consuming and unsustainableif leaning on junior surgeons, without protectedtimeanddesignatedresponsibility.
Birgand G, Mutters NT, Ahmad R, et al., 2020, Risk perception of the antimicrobial resistance by infection control specialists in Europe: a case-vignette study, Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control, Vol: 9, ISSN: 2047-2994
BackgroundUsing case-vignettes, we assessed the perception of European infection control (IC) specialists regarding the individual and collective risk associated with antimicrobial resistance (AMR) among inpatients.MethodsIn this study, sixteen case-vignettes were developed to simulate hospitalised patient scenarios in the field of AMR and IC. A total of 245 IC specialists working in different hospitals from 15 European countries were contacted, among which 149 agreed to participate in the study. Using an online database, each participant scored five randomly-assigned case-vignettes, regarding the perceived risk associated with six different multidrug resistant organisms (MDRO). The intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), varying from 0 (poor) to 1 (perfect), was used to assess the agreement for the risk on a 7-point Likert scale. High risk and low/neutral risk scorers were compared regarding their national, organisational and individual characteristics.ResultsBetween January and May 2017, 149 participants scored 655 case-vignettes. The perceptions of the individual (clinical outcome) and collective (spread) risks were consistently lower than other MDRO for extended spectrum beta-lactamase producing Enterobacteriaceae cases and higher for carbapenemase producing Enterobacteriaceae (CPE) cases. Regarding CPE cases, answers were influenced more by the resistance pattern (93%) than for other MDRO. The risk associated with vancomycin resistant Enterococci cases was considered higher for the collective impact than for the individual outcome (63% vs 40%). The intra-country agreement regarding the individual risk was globally poor varying from 0.00 (ICC: 0–0.25) to 0.51 (0.18–0.85). The overall agreement across countries was poor at 0.20 (0.07–0.33). IC specialists working in hospitals preserved from MDROs perceived a higher individual (local, p = 0.01; national, p < 0.01) and collective risk (local and national p
Peiffer-Smadja N, Dellière S, Rodriguez C, et al., 2020, Machine learning in the clinical microbiology laboratory: has the time come for routine practice?, Clinical Microbiology and Infection, ISSN: 1198-743X
Birgand G, Haudebourg T, Grammatico-Guillon L, et al., 2019, Improvement in staff behavior during surgical procedures to prevent post-operative complications (ARIBO2): study protocol for a cluster randomised trial, Trials, Vol: 20, ISSN: 1745-6215
BackgroundInappropriate staff behaviour during surgical procedures may disrupt the surgical performance and compromise patient safety. We developed an innovative monitoring and feedback system combined with an adaptive approach to optimise staff behaviour intraoperatively and prevent post-operative complications (POC) in orthopaedic surgery.Methods/designThis protocol describes a parallel-group, cluster randomised, controlled trial with orthopaedic centre as the unit of randomisation. The intervention period will last 6 months and will be based on the monitoring of two surrogates of staff behaviour: the frequency of doors opening and the level of noise. Both will be collected from incision to wound closure, using wireless sensors and sonometers, and recorded and analysed on a dedicated platform (Livepulse®). Staff from centres randomised to the intervention arm will be informed in real time on their own data through an interactive dashboard available in each operating room (OR), and a posteriori for hip and knee replacement POC. Aggregated data from all centres will also be displayed for benchmarking. A lean method will be applied in each centre by a local multidisciplinary team to analyse baseline situations, determine the target condition, analyse the root cause(s), and take countermeasures. The education and awareness of participants on the impact of their behaviour on patient safety will assist the quality improvement process. The control centres will be blinded to monitoring data and quality improvement approaches. The primary outcome will be any POC occurring during the 30 days post operation. We will evaluate this outcome using local and national routinely collected data from hospital discharge and disease databases. Thirty orthopaedic centres will be randomised for a total of 9945 hip and knee replacement surgical procedures.DiscussionThe field of human factors and behaviour in the OR seems to offer potential room for improvement. An intervention providi
Birgand G, Schouten J, Ruppe E, 2019, Less contact isolation is more in the ICU: the con position., Intensive Care Medicine, ISSN: 0342-4642
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