CBIC Healthcare-Associated Infections Flashcards

Which organism is most frequently implicated in hospital-acquired Clostridioides difficile infections?

Answer: Clostridioides difficile ribotype 027

Ribotype 027 (NAP1) has been associated with increased virulence, higher toxin production, and outbreak-level hospital-acquired C. difficile infections in the US.

What is the recommended contact precaution addition specifically for patients with C. difficile infection?

Answer: Soap and water handwashing instead of alcohol hand rub

Alcohol-based hand rubs do not effectively kill C. difficile spores; soap and water handwashing is required to mechanically remove spores.

Which HAI is tracked using the NHSN definition requiring 'no other recognized cause' and applies to ICU patients?

Answer: VAE (ventilator-associated event)

The NHSN Ventilator-Associated Events (VAE) protocol tracks a tiered set of complications in mechanically ventilated patients with no other recognized cause.

Which patient population has the highest risk of developing a healthcare-associated bloodstream infection?

Answer: ICU patients with central venous catheters

ICU patients with central venous catheters have the highest CLABSI risk due to device presence, severity of illness, and frequent line manipulation.

Under NHSN definitions, which criterion is required to classify a bloodstream infection as a secondary BSI rather than a primary CLABSI?

Answer: A matching pathogen from another identified infection site within 14 days

A secondary BSI is attributed to another identified infection site (e.g., UTI, SSI) when the same organism is identified within the NHSN-defined window period.

Which intervention is part of the CAUTI prevention bundle endorsed by APIC and IHI?

Answer: Daily review and prompt removal of unnecessary urinary catheters

Daily review of catheter necessity and prompt removal when no longer indicated is the most impactful evidence-based CAUTI prevention measure.