Infectious Disease Commons^™

Quality In Action: A Systematic Approach To Central Line Associated Bloodstream Infection Prevention, Jennifer E. Jones, Maggie Simons, Sherri Hoard, Gabriel Laney, Adam Nicholson, Victoria Springvloed, Tracy James, Erica Tuffs

Posters

Central line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) are a major source of morbidity, mortality, and increased healthcare costs in hospitalized patients. Reducing CLABSI rates requires more than isolated interventions; it demands a coordinated, multi-disciplinary strategy that addresses clinical practice, workflow and organizational culture.

Hydroxocobalamin In Septic Shock Management – Should It Be Introduced Sooner?, Linh Tang Taylor, Md, Cameron Miles Long, Md, Omar Pandhair

Books, Presentations, Posters, Etc.

Introduction: Treating sepsis involves timely antibiotics, adequate fluid resuscitation, and vasopressor support if shock develops. Plasma concentrations of nitric oxide and hydrogen sulfides are elevated in early sepsis, contributing to vasoplegia,1 a pathology that isn’t addressed by vasopressors. High-dose hydroxocobalamin (vitamin B12) does, and therefore, has long been explored as a potential adjunct to vasopressors, though no consensus or official guidelines for its use have been published. Case Report: A 26-year-old man who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia a few months prior presented to the emergency room for fever, weakness, and emesis. He was found to be profoundly hypotensive …

Closing The Gap: Standardizing Sepsis Management To Address Racial Disparities Across Oregon Providence Hospitals, Jennifer Wong, Do, Shelley Schoepflin Sanders, Md, Facp

Books, Presentations, Posters, Etc.

Introduction: Sepsis is a time-sensitive, life-threatening medical emergency affecting approximately 1.7 million adults annually in the United States, contributing to nearly 270,000 deaths and over $24 billion in healthcare expenditures. Delays in recognition and initiation of treatment can significantly increase mortality. Previous studies have identified persistent racial disparities in sepsis care, including lower rates of recognition as the principal diagnosis and delayed antibiotic initiation for Black patients compared with White patients. In alignment with Providence’s mission to provide compassionate, equitable care, Oregon Providence hospitals implemented a standardized “Sepsis Order Set” in all Emergency Departments (ED) to reduce treatment delays and …

Idiopathic Systemic Capillary Leak Syndrome With Shock And Compartment Syndrome Due To Influenza A, Jobe Ashby, Md, Katelyn Bobrowski, Do, Ryan Best, Md

Books, Presentations, Posters, Etc.

INTRODUCTION: Idiopathic systemic capillary leak syndrome (ISCLS) is a rare, poorly understood condition that leads to extreme pathology with severe but predictable complications. First described in 1960, ISCLS has been identified in about 260 case reports and is marked by a triad of hypotension, hypoalbuminemia, and hemoconcentration often preceded by upper respiratory tract infection. It is divided into distinct phases of prodrome, extravasation, and recovery. We present a case of a middle-aged woman who presented with influenza A infection and developed ISCLS needing ICU level care for shock and bilateral upper extremity compartment syndrome. DESCRIPTION: Our patient is a 49-year-old …

Sepsis Transitional Care Management: A Phone Call To Reduce Readmission Health Inequity, Linh Tang Taylor, Md, Erica Leser, Ms, Alyssa Nelson, Michelle Schoepflin Sanders, Md

Books, Presentations, Posters, Etc.

Introduction: Sepsis accounts for 52% of hospital admissions in the United States and is the leading cause of death among hospitalized patients1 . However, disparity exists among sepsis survivors with race being reported as a determinant of recovery2 . Such disparity exists in Providence Oregon 8 hospitals: Providence Black patients have higher sepsis readmission rates than White (12.93% vs 11.65%). Using modified community-based participatory research, data analysis, and stakeholder interviews, we identified one potential root cause of the disparity: Black patients being readmitted are not receiving our system's Transitional Care Management (TCM) services. We aim to eliminate the Black/White sepsis …

Ofatumumab Associated Legionella Pneumonia In A Young Multiple Sclerosis Patient, Jobe Ashby, Omar Panhair

Books, Presentations, Posters, Etc.

Ofatumumab is the only anti-CD20 IgG1κ human monoclonal antibody therapy for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) that patients can self-administer subcutaneously. Anti-CD20 agents are biologic therapies that carry an increased risk of serious infections, but rarely Legionellosis. We present the case of a young man taking ofatumumab for his MS who developed Legionella pneumoniae pneumonia. A 30-year-old man with MS diagnosed two years prior, stable on ofatumumab, presented with fevers, cough, and hemoptysis. A week earlier, he developed fevers and myalgias after administering ofatumumab, but these symptoms persisted longer than usual. Though initial vital signs were normal, he appeared …

An Exploration Of Drivers Of Sepsis Outcomes In Racial And Ethnic Minority Populations, Matthew Moritz, Omar Pandhair, Shelley Schoepflin Sanders

Books, Presentations, Posters, Etc.

RATIONALE: Race and ethnicity affect sepsis outcomes in unclear ways. Existing data is conflicting, with some studies suggesting minority patients do worse, while others did not show a difference in outcomes between these groups. We sought to investigate whether inequalities exist in sepsis outcomes for different racial and ethnic groups in our large hospital system and to characterize how they may manifest. METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of adults diagnosed with sepsis and discharged from any of Providence’s 52 hospitals between January 1 and December 31, 2023. We grouped patients into ten different race/ethnicity groups including White, Black, …

Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases: A Concise Guide On The Fundamentals Of Infectious Disease In Podiatric Medical Education, Paramita Basu

Open Touro Created

2026

This Open Educational Resource (OER), Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, is a student-centered textbook designed to support pre-clinical podiatric medical students enrolled in PCLP 610 Infectious Diseases at the New York College of Podiatric Medicine. The book is structured as a collection of concise “chapter briefs” or high‑yield notes that align closely with the course syllabus, lecture objectives, and student learning outcomes, while also reflecting the Microbiology learning objectives outlined in the AACPM Council of Faculties Curricular Guide.

The content covers core principles of medical microbiology and infectious diseases, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites, host–pathogen interactions, antimicrobial therapy, resistance …

A Cancer Education Needs Assessment: Informing Middle-Aged Female Patients About The Relationships Between Obesity And Women’S Health Concerns In The Reproductive System, Breast, And Endometrial Health, Batul Mirza

MUSC Theses and Dissertations

Obesity significantly impacts women’s health, particularly among middle-aged women, by increasing the risk of hormone-sensitive cancers such as breast, endometrial, and reproductive system cancers. This study examines the educational needs of this demographic group regarding obesity-related cancer risks and explores effective intervention strategies. Obesity-induced mechanisms – hormonal imbalances, chronic inflammation, and insulin resistance – drive cancer susceptibility, emphasizing the need for targeted health education. The study employs a qualitative design, which includes interviews with subject matter experts (SMEs) and surveys of middle-aged women. The goal is to assess awareness, perceived barriers, and preferred learning methods. Findings suggest that with many …

Stethoscope Hygiene And Its Relationship To Healthcare Acquired Infections: A Research Proposal, Thomas P. Baker

Aurora

Problem: Healthcare Acquired Infections (HAIs) are an increasingly prevalent issue in healthcare. While hand hygiene is the most effective method to prevent HAIs, stethoscope hygiene may be an underutilized practice that can further prevent HAIs.

Purpose: The purpose of the research proposal is to determine if patients are more at risk of acquiring a HAI from improperly sanitized stethoscopes in comparison to stethoscopes that are cleaned in accordance with best practice methods while being treated in a hospital.

Methods: This proposal is a mixed-methods study. A 30-minute educational seminar on the importance of stethoscope hygiene and evidence-based …

Evaluating The Impact Of A Renal Dosing Refreshable Sidebar Report On Appropriateness Of Antimicrobial Dosing At A Large Acute Care Cancer Hospital, Emily Fox, Jovan Borjan, Nancy Vuong, Hannah Aune, Claire Marten, Joshua Hendrickson

Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement

Background: Appropriate antimicrobial dosing is vital in the treatment of patients with infectious diseases, though adherence to guideline recommended doses is often suboptimal.

Outcomes: This study was conducted to evaluate the impact of a renal dosing refreshable sidebar report, which displayed recommendations from a previously developed institutional antimicrobial dosing guide at the time of antimicrobial order entry. The primary outcome was adherence to daptomycin dosing guideline recommendations before and after implementation.

Methods: This was a pre- and post-quasi-experimental study at a 600-bed acute care cancer hospital. Adult patients (≥18 years old) that received daptomycin from February-April 2021 (pre-intervention phase) and …

Persistent Barriers To Implementation Of Long-Acting Injectable Antiretroviral Therapy, Jessica Hack, Adati Tarfa, Harlan Sayles, Nada Fadul

EMET Projects

No abstract provided.

Atypical Dengue Fever With Severe Hematological Manifestations: A Case From The Rio Grande Valley, Elias Arellano Villanueva, Alhasan Asaad, Jose Campo Maldonado

Research Symposium

Background: Dengue fever, a mosquito-borne viral illness, is endemic in tropical regions, including border regions like the Rio Grande Valley while often self-limited, severe presentations such as dengue hemorrhagic fever and dengue shock syndrome highlight its challenges and complexities. This report describes an atypical dengue case with severe hematological manifestations, underscoring the diagnostic challenges and the importance of early recognition, multidisciplinary evaluation, and evidence-based management.

Case Presentation: A 22-year-old Hispanic female with no significant past medical history presented to the ED with hematemesis and fever following her travel to Monterrey, Mexico. Initial symptoms included high fever (107.6°F), chills, diarrhea, vomiting, …

Improving Knowledge And Confidence Of Family Nurse Practitioners In Offering The Hpv Vaccine, Leni Terano Fisher

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Scholarly Projects - Archive

Abstract

Introduction

Despite the recommendations of the United States Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, HPV immunization lags behind other routine vaccines by up to 31%. Although there are many reasons for the low vaccine rate, provider hesitancy and lack of confidence significantly contribute to suboptimal HPV vaccine uptake.

Objectives

This project aimed to utilize evidence-driven interventions to increase family nurse practitioners' (FNPs) knowledge and confidence in offering the HPV vaccine.

Methods

Participants were given pre- and post-questionnaire surveys. The Wilcoxon Rank Test was used to compare, quantify, and measure the results of the eight-week data collection.

Results

The subjects were …

Resilience And Reality: Exploring The Lived Experiences Of People Living With Hiv In Texas During The Covid-19 Pandemic – A Qualitative Study., Ahmed F. Alanazi

Social Work Dissertations - Archive

This study investigated the lived experiences of individuals living with HIV (PLWH) in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area of Texas during the COVID-19 pandemic, using an Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) framework. The research examined the intersection of health, social dynamics, and psychological resilience among PLWH, who faced compounded vulnerabilities due to systemic inequities and the dual public health crises of HIV and COVID-19. Through semi-structured interviews with ten participants from diverse backgrounds, the study captured the profound impacts of disrupted healthcare systems, heightened stigma, and social isolation on this marginalized population. The findings reveal that the pandemic exacerbated existing inequities …

Closing The Gap: Standardizing Sepsis Management To Address Racial Disparities Across Oregon Providence Hospitals, Jennifer Wong, Do, Shelley Schoepflin Sanders

Abstracts, Posters, Presentations

No abstract provided.

Case Study: A Severe Presentation Of Chronic Eosinophilic Pneumonia., Revati Kalluri, Mari Kai

Books, Presentations, Posters, Etc.

Case Presentation: Chief Complaint •55-year-old male with history of COPD, current 1 pack/day smoker, and 2-month history of hypoxic respiratory failure presents with increased shortness of breath. History of Present Illness •Initially hospitalized for a motor vehicle collision with course complicated by acute hypoxic respiratory failure due to eosinophilic pneumonia and treated with a 14-day prednisone taper. •Few days after discharge, he represented with acute hypoxic respiratory failure thought to be from a COPD exacerbation and treated with a short steroid taper. •Now, represents few days later with continued tachypnea, tachycardia, hypotension, and hypoxia.. Discussion: •Broad Differential including Pneumonia, Fat …

Assessing Impact Of Molecular Diagnostics On Time To Optimal Antibiotic Therapy In Pediatric Staphylococcal Bacteremia, Manith Humchad, Kelly Williamson

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Timely optimization of antibiotic therapy is critical in pediatric patients with blood infections, particularly those caused by Staphylococcus aureus. This retrospective study evaluated the impact of molecular diagnostics on time to optimal therapy and discontinuation of unnecessary antibiotics at Akron Children’s Hospital from January 2020 to April 2023. Patients with Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were more likely to be on appropriate empiric therapy (i.e. vancomycin) before culture results, whereas Methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) cases were de-escalated to beta-lactams. The median time to optimal therapy was 3.7 hours for episodes of MSSA. Infectious Disease (ID) consultation significantly influenced antibiotic management, with …

Puzzling Papules: Uncovering The Etiology Of A Rash In A Returning Traveler, Lisa Stampke, Md, Shahana Baig-Lewis Md, Mph

Abstracts, Posters, Presentations

No abstract provided.

An Exploration Of Drivers Of Sepsis Outcomes In Racial & Ethnic Minority Populations, Providence Svmc Gme

Abstracts, Posters, Presentations

No abstract provided.

Severe Malaria And Multi-Organ Failure, Abby Lindseth, Md, Stephen Yau, Md

Abstracts, Posters, Presentations

No abstract provided.

Effectiveness Of An Improved Leprosy Lakar Training On Knowledge And Skills Among Healthcare Workers In Primary Healthcare In Pahang Malaysia., Nuraihan Zafirah Zainal Abidin

Student Works (2020-2029)

Leprosy, a neglected chronic tropical disease caused by Mycobacterium leprae, poses significant health challenges due to its potential for irreversible disabilities and disfigurement. Adequate leprosy training for healthcare workers (HCWs) is crucial for early detection and prompt treatment, thereby preventing complications and reducing transmission risks. This study aimed to revise and evaluate the effectiveness of leprosy LaKAR* training on knowledge and skills of leprosy among HCWs in primary healthcare in Pahang, Malaysia. The study employed a sequential exploratory, mixed-method design consisting of two phases. Phase 1a was a qualitative study identifying gaps in current LaKAR training among HCWs at …

Review Of The Diagnosis, Pathophysiology, And Treatment Of Naegleria Fowleri-Induced Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis, Terrance Zhang

MCB Articles

Naegleria fowleri is a thermophilic, ubiquitous, free-living amoeba, but is also known as the “brain-eating” amoeba. This is the etiological agent of a rare and fulminant waterborne disease known as Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM) that is acutely fatal in 90-99% of reported cases. Those who come into contact with infested waters are at risk of introducing the amoeba into their upper nasal canal, whence the trophozoite form is known to migrate along the olfactory nerve, through the cribriform plate, and enter the central nervous system. Although the exact pathogenesis of N. fowleri is not known, studies have demonstrated contact-dependent and …

The Effect Of A Structural Wellness Intervention On Id Fellows And Faculty, Michael T. Czapka, Christopher Lehmann, John Flores, Erica Mackenzie, Elizabeth Bell, Aniruddha Hazra

Journal of Wellness

Introduction: Physician burnout is prevalent amongst Infectious Diseases (ID) physicians and trainees in the United States. There is limited data assessing the impact of structural interventions in reducing burnout among medical professionals.

Methods: The multifaceted intervention included increased faculty presence over the weekend and faculty support during the week. ID fellows were surveyed before and after the intervention and faculty were surveyed after the intervention using the Maslach Burnout Inventory for Medical Personnel and additional questions regarding wellness and time for education. Pre- and post-intervention responses were compared. Free response answers were analyzed to determine major themes. Metrics of clinical …

Early Recognition Of Sepsis-Induced Hypotension In Dsu, Rebeca Zamora

St. Joseph Hospital, Orange, CA. Evidence Based Practice Conference

No abstract provided.

Enhancing Patient Safety: The Role Of Interdisciplinary Teams In Reducing Blood Culture Contamination, Austin Patrick Eisenberg, Fady M. Awad, Brian Watson, Mohammed Faris

HCA Healthcare Journal of Medicine

Background

Blood cultures are vital to diagnostic workups among many hospitalized patients, providing valuable information about bloodstream infections (BSIs), which cause roughly 250 000 deaths annually between North America and Europe. Despite advances in health care, blood culture contamination remains a substantial problem, with deleterious effects on patient mortality, patient and hospital costs, and microbial resistance. This article reviews the repercussions of blood culture contamination on the health care system and delineates evidence-based strategies to decrease contamination rates.

Methods

To reduce blood culture contamination rates, our health care facility undertook a quality improvement initiative. A task force was created, consisting …

Understanding Your Sepsis Diagnosis (Español), Providence Mmhm

Posters with QR Codes

Please see additional files:

1. Patient Education Graphic: Understand Your Sepsis Diagnosis
2. Patient Education Flyer: SEPTICEMIA Todo lo que necesita saber / SEPSIS What You Need to Know (Spanish)

Understanding Your Sepsis Diagnosis (English), Providence Mmhm

Posters with QR Codes

Please see additional files:

1. Patient Education Graphic: Understand Your Sepsis Diagnosis
2. Patient Education Flyer: Sepsis What You Need to Know

عدوى المستشفيات, Afaf Taha

Al Jinan الجنان

Despite the progress in the medical fields and technologies used, and the use of a number of antibiotics to eliminate microorganisms that attack the human body, bacterial infections still a major cause of patient deaths. The irony is that hospitals patients turn to for hospitalization are the source of infection caused by microorganisms resistant to a number of antibiotics. The researcher discusses this problem and tells us that the hospital is an ideal place for transmitting pathogens because patients with similar diseases placed in closed groups and are in contact with health workers so that both become a hotbed for …

A Quality Improvement Project To Improve Antibiotic Choice For Children Admitted With Urinary Tract Infections (Utis), Philip Jurasinski Do, Pgy-3, Adrienne Deporre Md, Kathleen Berg Md, Allison Hadley Md, Viktoriya Stoycheva Mha, Rn, Cpn, Rana El Feghaly Md

Research Days

This is an antibiotic stewardship quality improvement project focused on improving antibiotic choices for children with urinary tract infections who are in the Children's Mercy Kansas City system. This project aims to improve the rates of cefazolin or cephalexin for treatment from 27% to 60%. 96% of urinary tract infections in our system are caused by E. Coli that are susceptible to these first generation cephalosporins.