key: cord-0775142-wpt5jw9m
authors: Assi, Mariam A.; Doll, Michelle; Pryor, Rachel; Cooper, Kaila; Bearman, Gonzalo; Stevens, Michael P.
title: Impact of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on healthcare-associated infections: An update and perspective
date: 2021-03-12
journal: Infection control and hospital epidemiology
DOI: 10.1017/ice.2021.92
sha: b2db66c368066b8fe9e1aaf06a95c684efb03318
doc_id: 775142
cord_uid: wpt5jw9m

nan

Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology conducted a survey in which 21.4% of respondents noted an increase in CAUTIs during the pandemic and another 27.8% noted an increase in CLABSIs. 8 Among the 3 studies included in Table 1 reporting comparative data on CDI rates, either a reduction in CDI rate or no change in CDI rate was observed. 2, 5, 6 Although the data are limited, at least 1 health system with robust outbreak preparedness was able to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and actually reported a significant reduction in CLABSIs. Conversely, multiple other health systems that reported a breakdown in infection prevention best practices reported increases in BSIs. Ultimately, our understanding of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on HAIs will be limited, due in part to the relaxation of mandatory reporting requirements during the pandemic. 1 Data on healthcareassociated non-central-catheter-associated BSI rates will be particularly limited because reporting in the United States is not mandated.

Currently, the full scope of the impact of COVID-19 on HAIs is unclear. However, important opportunities exist for health systems (both on the local level and nationally) to utilize their experiences during the current pandemic to bolster infrastructure and to robustly prepare for and quickly respond to future pandemic threats. 

Impact of COVID-19 on traditional healthcare-associated infection prevention efforts

Unintended consequences of infection prevention and control measures during COVID-19 pandemic

The impact of COVID-19 response on central-line-associated bloodstream infections and blood culture contamination rates at a tertiary-care center in the greater Detroit area

COVID-19 increased the risk of ICU-acquired bloodstream infections: a case-cohort study from the multicentric OUTCOMEREA network

Impact of COVID-19 prevention measures on risk of health care-associated Clostridium difficile infection

Impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on nosocomial Clostridioides difficile infection

Severe COVID-19 and healthcareassociated infections on the ICU: time to remember the basics?

National survey shows healthcare facilities implementing PPE crisis standards of care. Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology website

Acknowledgments.Financial support. No financial support was provided relevant to this article.

All authors report no conflicts of interest relevant to this article.