QAPI 120 - Reducing the Risk of Targeted Multidrug-resistant Organism Transmission

Background: The prevalence of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) in the inpatient setting continues to increase due to gaps in infection control practices that facilitate their transmission. Although the isolation of hospitalized patients is effective at minimizing MDRO transmission, the current literature reveals that the implementation of transmission-based precautions (TBPs) is often absent or delayed. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines were used to translate existing knowledge regarding MDRO management and reduce the mean time to initiation of TBPs at the project site.

Methods: The purpose of this quantitative, quasi-experimental project was to assess the impact of the implementation of CDC guidelines on the time to initiation of TBPs, among adult inpatients who were, or had a history of being, colonized or infected with one or more targeted MDROs. The project was conducted in an acute care hospital over four weeks and there were no identified confounding variables. An independent samples t-test was conducted to compare the mean time to initiation of TBPs in the comparison (n = 22) and implementation (n =18) groups. A p-value of less than .05 was deemed statistically significant.

Results: An independent samples t-test indicated a statistically significant reduction in the time to initiation of TBPs; t (23.21) = 2.91, p = .008.

Conclusions: The project intervention resulted in a statistically significant reduction in the mean time to initiation of TBPs. Implementation of the CDC guidelines may reduce the risk of MDRO transmission through timelier initiation of TBPs in inpatient settings.