Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are increasingly performed in outpatient settings to treat select musculoskeletal injuries, arthritis, hair loss, and wounds. There is a need for procedure-specific guidance and standardization of PRP practices to mitigate associated infection prevention (IP) risks such as bloodborne pathogen exposure and unsafe injection use.

Develop a standardized approach for PRP administration which incorporates existing IP regulatory and professional society guidance.

Observation and descriptive review of PRP injection protocols across subspecialties at a tertiary medical center, focused on ambulatory IP and regulatory standards compliance. Development of a standardized operating procedure (SOP) to mitigate IP risks and align with regulatory guidance.

Observations were completed in orthopedic, wound care, and oral maxillofacial surgery clinics. Variability in practice was noted for product labeling, centrifugation, and injection modalities. A multidisciplinary workgroup convened to develop and operationalize an SOP. Classification of PRP as a blood product introduced nuances to protocols for product preparation, handling, administration, labeling, and documentation to comply with regulatory standards.

Development and implementation of an SOP for PRP treatment requires an awareness of the scope of practice in a healthcare system and identification of pertinent regulatory standards for integration into workflows. Partnerships between IP teams, subspecialty clinical providers, blood safety experts, quality and safety teams, and healthcare technology are essential to minimize variability in practice, ensure safety of patients and healthcare personnel, and align with regulatory standards.

The purpose of the study is to analyze bloodstream infection (BSI) data reported by outpatient hemodialysis facilities to understand temporal trends, the potential impact of infection prevention practices and the COVID-19 pandemic on BSI rates.

Outpatient hemodialysis facilities report BSI data to the National Healthcare Safety Network. We used interrupted time series with mixed effects negative binomial modeling to estimate the annual change of BSI rates from 2012 to 2021, using March 2020 as the COVID-19 inflection point. The model controlled for seasonal factors, vascular access types, and facility characteristics.

The number of facilities used for analysis increased from 5,581 in 2012 to 7,313 in 2021. Most facilities were freestanding (range: 90%–93%) and belonged to for-profit organizations (range: 85%–88%). The annual adjusted BSI rates decreased by an average of 8.90% (95% CI: −9.10 %, −8.71%) January 2012-February 2020. The annual decrease in BSI rate was not significant during March 2020-December 2021 (P = 0.15). There was a level drop of 32.03% (95%CI: −33.84%, −30.17%) in BSI rates in the period of March 2020-December 2021 compared with the period of January 2012-February 2020.

BSI rates decreased steadily from January 2012 to February 2020 likely due to the identification and adoption of evidence-based prevention practices. BSI rates plateaued at lower levels during March 2020-December 2021. This suggests that infection prevention measures implemented by facilities prior to the emergence of COVID-19 contributed to substantial decreases in BSI rates and may have helped to stabilize BSI rates after March 2020.

Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) carriage in post-acute care hospitals (PACH) reflects both importation of colonized patients and within-PACH transmission. We studied within-PACH transmission by examining the sameness of CRAB clusters, as identified by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy.

We conducted a point-prevalence survey in 55 wards in 18 Israeli PACH in 2021. Patients (n = 1,733) were screened for CRAB, and 461 isolates from 357 patients underwent FTIR typing (IR Biotyper, Bruker). We assigned each patient isolate to its cluster and paired each patient-cluster combination with every other patient-cluster combination. We examined the relationship between physical proximity of pairs (n = 75,047) and FTIR cluster sameness using generalized estimating equation logistic regression. To estimate within-ward transmission, we compared proportions of cluster sameness within wards versus between institutions.

The 461 CRAB isolates formed 23 FTIR clusters. Compared to being in different institutions, being in the same ward was associated with significantly higher odds of sharing the same cluster (odds ratio: 3.6, p < 0.001). Odds ratios were highest for patients in the same room (6.2) or adjacent rooms (6.1) (p < 0.001 for both). Based on same-cluster pairs we estimated that 70% of prevalent CRAB cases resulted from within-ward transmission.

CRAB strain similarity was strongly associated with spatial proximity within PACH wards, indicating that within-ward transmission is an important contributor to CRAB carriage prevalence. Similar risk in same and adjacent rooms suggests transmission via shared staff or equipment. Ward-level infection control interventions are warranted to interrupt spread.

An improved understanding of the epidemiology of hospital-onset methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infection (HO-MRSA BSI) could inform future prevention strategies for HO-MRSA BSI.

We performed a retrospective cohort study of HO-MRSA BSI reported to NHSN from 2020–2023 at a system of 9 acute care hospitals located in New York City. The primary outcome was to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients with HO-MRSA BSI. Secondary outcomes included comparisons of tertiary (TH) and community (CH) hospitals, standardized infection ratio (SIR) and rates per 10,000 patient-discharges, presumptive potential infectious sources, and mortality.

Between 2020 and 2023, 222 patients had HO-MRSA BSI. Their median age was 65 years, 139 (63%) were male, 92 (41%) had central lines, 89 (40%) were in ICUs, and 63 (28%) were on a ventilator. These characteristics were similar across the 176 (79%) patients in TH and the 46 (21%) patients in CH. SIRs were similar across each year of the study (with cumulative SIRs of 0.815 overall, 1.412 [CH] and 0.732 [TH]). Overall HO-MRSA BSI rates ranged from 2.58–3.53 per 10,000 patient-discharges. The most common sources of HO-MRSA BSI were pneumonia (41%), SSTIs (17%), CLABSIs (13%), and PIV catheter-related issues (9%). The all-cause mortality rate was 35%.

The unchanged HO-MRSA BSI SIRs in this study support the need for additional interventions that focus on prevention of the primary sources of MRSA infections. Ongoing systematic surveillance of the primary sources of HO-MRSA BSI should be implemented to inform and monitor best practices for prevention.

To evaluate the incidence of hospital-onset bacteremia and fungemia (HOB) among solid organ malignancy (SOM), hematologic malignancy (HM), and hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) therapy patients at a large cancer care center.

A single-center, observational, retrospective analysis was conducted for hospitalizations between January 1, 2018, and September 30, 2024, to identify patients with a first positive blood culture on or after day four of hospitalization. Hospitalizations were grouped into three categories: SOM, HM with HCT, and HM without HCT. The primary objective was to study the incidence of HOB. Secondary objectives: identification of risk factors for HOB events and pathogens associated with HOB events.

In 45,896 admissions, 1,470 HOB events were identified (incidence: 3.2%). The incidence of HOB was highest in the HM/HCT cohort (3.8%), followed by HM without HCT (2.3%) and SOM (0.9%). Risk factors of HOB identified included HM (OR 1.49), hospitalization within the past 90 days (OR 1.50), length of stay greater than or equal to 30 days (OR 6.74), intensive care unit (ICU) admission (OR 4.06), development of a CAUTI during admission (OR 23.23), or presence of a central line (OR 51.61). The most common pathogens were Escherichia coli (20.1%), coagulase-negative Staphylococci (19.0%), and Viridians streptococci (11.3%).

This study highlights the high incidence of HOB among cancer and HCT patients. The risk factors and differential rates of HOB in subpopulations of this demographic may help to inform targeted infection prevention efforts in cancer centers.

A semi-automated surveillance system for surgical site infections (SSIs), SPICMI (Surveillance and Prevention Program for Infectious Risk in Surgery and Interventional Medicine), has been implemented in French hospitals, leveraging data from electronic health records (EHRs).

To evaluate the performance of the SPICMI algorithm in detecting SSIs in orthopedic and digestive surgery.

Surveillance data were collected annually from the EHRs. The algorithm identified suspected SSIs based on two criteria: (1) surgical revision during the index stay or readmission, (2) positive microbiological samples from the wound. Suspected SSIs identified were subsequently validated by surgeons.

A stochastic modeling approach was used to estimate probability intervals for performance indicators. Various detection scenarios were constructed based on SPICMI criteria. Logistic regression analysis was performed using surveillance data. Data unavailable in the database were estimated through a literature review and expert opinions.

The probability of surgical revision following an SSI varied significantly between surgical specialties, ranging from 92% in orthopedic surgery to 45.2% in gynecology. In orthopedic and digestive surgery, the SPICMI algorithm demonstrated good reliability for detecting SSIs in minimizing false-negative and false-positive cases (Youden index: 0.96 and 0.79, respectively). Sensitivity (Se) was lower in digestive surgery (0.7–0.9) compared to orthopedic surgery (0.9–1), while specificity (Sp) remained high (0.9–1) in both specialties.

The SPICMI algorithm shows potential to support efficient use of time and resources in SSIs surveillance management. Further evaluation is needed with a broader panel of surgery procedures.

Hospital sinks are reservoirs for epidemiologically important pathogens (EIPs), yet practical, effective strategies for sustained decontamination are lacking.

We conducted a randomized controlled trial of 30 in-room sinks (15 intervention, 15 control) in a newly renovated hospital unit to evaluate the efficacy of a hydrogen peroxide/peracetic acid foamed disinfectant in reducing sink contamination. Intervention sinks received foamed disinfectant to sink drains three times weekly; control sinks underwent standard daily surface cleaning. Weekly sampling was performed from three sink locations (top surface, tail pipe, P-trap) over 35 weeks. The primary outcome was sink conversion events (SCEs), defined as first detection of ≥1 EIP, defined as Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Stenotrophomonas spp., or Acinetobacter spp., and ESBL-producing or carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales, in previously negative sinks.

A total of 2880 samples were collected. All sinks were negative at baseline for study pathogens. Nearly all sinks (29/30) experienced an SCE during the study period. However, only 44 (9%) intervention sink samples were positive for EIPs, compared to 270 (47%) in control sinks (p < 0.00001). EIPs were recovered from 4% versus 24% of P-traps and 4% versus 39% of tail pipes; sink top/handle contamination was rare and similar (3% vs 4%). The most frequent EIPs were Acinetobacter spp. and Stenotrophomonas spp. Intervention sinks experienced a delayed time to SCE (p = 0.0001). Items were stored on/in sinks in 93% of observations.

Regular application of a foamed disinfectant reduced and delayed EIP contamination in renovated hospital sinks. Foam-based protocols may help mitigate environmental reservoirs of multidrug-resistant organisms.

Cardiovascular surgeries can be lifesaving, but mediastinitis following these procedures results in increased morbidity and mortality. We sought to increase the number of days between cases of mediastinitis at our institution from an average of 58 to greater than 223 days, the upper control limit of our baseline data.

Quality improvement initiative.

Freestanding pediatric hospital.

We convened a multidisciplinary team to identify potential interventions. As many infections were not captured by the Solutions for Patient Safety definition, we monitored mediastinitis cases using the Society of Thoracic Surgeons definition. Our outcome measure was cases of mediastinitis. Plan-Do-Study-Act cycles were completed within our operating rooms (ORs) and cardiac care unit (CCU). We tracked measures on statistical process control charts and with descriptive statistics.

From a baseline of 58 days, our hospital has gone over 450 days without a case of mediastinitis. No special causes were noted in our balancing measures. All process measures showed improvement.

A series of OR- and CCU-based interventions significantly increased the amount of time between our cases of mediastinitis. This work highlights the importance of engaging both OR and postoperative stakeholders in proactive mediastinitis prevention work.

Hospital sink drains are recognized reservoirs for gram-negative bacteria (GNB). This study evaluates the efficacy of a sink drain disinfection strategy using hydrogen peroxide-based foam, mechanical cleaning, and drain cover replacement in reducing GNB bioburden in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).

We conducted a prospective cohort study of 30 NICU room sinks comparing three interventions: (1) foam disinfection alone (n = 5), (2) foam with mechanical cleaning (n = 5), and (3) foam with drain cover replacement (n = 5), and (4) foam, mechanical cleaning, and drain cover replacement (n = 5), to controls (no intervention, n = 10). Samples from sink drains, faucets, counters, basins, and drain covers were collected at baseline (Day 0) and post-intervention (Days 1, 3, 5, and 7). Bacterial colony counts were analyzed using linear regression models.

At baseline, sink drains and drain covers had the highest bioburden (total GNB mean ln-CFU: 15.4 and 16.4), with Pseudomonas aeruginosa (33%) and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (39%) as predominant isolates. The intervention combining foam, mechanical cleaning, and drain cover replacement achieved the greatest bioburden reduction on Day 1 in drains (mean ln-CFU reduction = 11.0, 95% CI: 6.4, 16.0, p < 0.001) and covers (mean reduction = 14.0, 95% CI: 8.7, 19.0, p < 0.001), with sustained effects through Day 7. Recolonization to ∼50% of baseline was evident by Day 5 in both sites.

Physical bioburden removal improved the effect of a foaming disinfectant in reducing GNB. However, recolonization occurred by day 5.

While infection is a leading cause of mortality among patients on hemodialysis, there are limited data on patients’ infection prevention knowledge and attitudes. We aimed to assess hemodialysis patients’ knowledge of their elevated infection risk, their willingness to actively prevent infections, and the acceptability of a long-term intranasal decolonization intervention.

We surveyed patients as part of a stepped wedge cluster randomized trial evaluating intranasal povidone-iodine (PVI) decolonization.

Sixteen outpatient hemodialysis centers affiliated with 5 academic medical centers.

Patients undergoing outpatient hemodialysis.

Patients were asked to complete a pre-intervention survey (9 questions) and two intervention surveys (13 questions; only patients interested in PVI) at 1 month and 6 months after starting PVI. We used the chi-squared test to compare responses over time.

469 (∼25%) participants completed at least one survey. Most (55%) participants underestimated their infection risk compared with an average person in the United States. The percentage of participants willing to expend “a lot of effort” to prevent an infection decreased from 79% (pre-intervention) to 63% (final survey) (p < 0.01). Among the 102 participants using PVI at 6 months, 87% said PVI felt neutral or pleasant and 75% used PVI for the past 3 dialysis sessions. Only 9.4% reported side effects.

Patients on hemodialysis underestimate their infection risk. Most patients found intranasal PVI to be acceptable. Future research should aim to improve patient education on their infection risk and remove barriers to adherence with infection prevention interventions.

Clinical trial information: NCT04210505, https://clinicaltrials.gov/

In the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), outbreaks caused by methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) are less commonly described than outbreaks caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) despite the increased burden of MSSA infections.

To investigate a NICU MSSA outbreak utilizing whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and multi-locus sequencing typing (MLST) to identify transmission events.

An investigation was initiated in a level IV NICU after four patients developed MSSA skin and soft tissue infections (SSTI) within three weeks. MLST and WGS were performed on MSSA isolates obtained from clinical and surveillance specimens.

During the outbreak, 16 infants developed MSSA infections including SSTIs (n = 15) and bacteremia (n = 1). Thirteen SSTIs presented on neonates’ faces, all of whom were on non-invasive respiratory support. During 7 rounds of surveillance, an additional 31 patients were found to be colonized with MSSA. MLST identified a predominant cluster (ST-121). WGS found that all ST-121 isolates were closely related (≤10 genetic variants between isolates) suggesting likely transmission events, harbored the mupA gene, exhibited mupirocin MIC values ≥1,024 µg/mL, and were associated with infection. Multiple infection control measures were implemented including the “bare below the elbows” practice. No further mupirocin-resistant isolates were recovered or ST-121 SSTIs identified after Week 26.

WGS analysis furthered the MLST analysis and identified a single MLST as the outbreak-related strain. Successful control of this outbreak was achieved with a multitude of infection prevention and control methods.

Recipients of hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) are at increased risk for Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) and its recurrence, which are associated with significant morbidity. We aimed to characterize risk factors for primary and recurrent CDI in a large cohort of HCT recipients.

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 2725 adults who underwent HCT from 2010–2023 to evaluate the epidemiology, timing, and risk factors for CDI. We compared patients who developed CDI with those who did not, adjusting for patient demographics, comorbidities, transplant factors, medications, and laboratory values. Among patients who developed CDI, we investigated risk factors for recurrent CDI.

The cumulative 1-year incidence of CDI was 17.8% among allogeneic HCT recipients (181/1016) and 4.1% among autologous recipients (71/1709). Overall CDI incidence increased by 1.4% annually during the study period (95%CI: 1.24–1.53%). Independent risk factors for primary CDI included penicillin antibiotics (aOR 1.51; 95%CI: 1.13–2.02), prior chemotherapy (aOR 8.36; 95%CI: 2.95–23.69 for 1–3 regimens), and umbilical cord blood stem cells (aOR 1.95; 95%CI: 1.07–3.57). Autologous HCT was associated with decreased risk. Among 252 patients with primary CDI, 22 (8.7%) developed recurrence. Macrolide use before index CDI (aOR 7.25; 95%CI: 1.80–29.2) and allogeneic HCT (aOR 31.04; 95%CI: 1.37–731.58) were associated with recurrence.

CDI is a common, early complication of HCT particularly among allogeneic recipients. Penicillin exposure, prior chemotherapy, and cord blood stem cell source are key risk factors, while macrolide use is associated with recurrence. Our findings highlight potential targets for risk-stratified prevention strategies.

We evaluated whether patient perceptions of cleanliness are associated with objective measures of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), as an early indicator of facility-level CDI rates and prevention.

Cross-sectional analysis of Medicare-certified hospitals across the United States.

Data from the CMS Hospital Compare website and U.S. Census Bureau from 2023 were analyzed using multivariate logistic regression models. The primary outcome was C. difficile standardized infection ratios (SIRs) compared to the national average. The primary exposure was patient-rated cleanliness star ratings from the Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems survey.

The population studied was 3,616 medicare-certified hospitals with an estimated 17,994,034 unique patient admissions. There was no association between better patient-rated cleanliness and improved CDI performance. Facilities with a 5-star cleanliness rating were not more likely to have an SIR less than or equal to the national average compared to those with a lower star rating. For every 1% increase in patients who reported their room and bathroom as always clean, the odds of CDI observed cases being higher than predicted increases by 4.2% (ie, increasing patient-related cleanliness was weakly associated with worse CDI performance).

Patient-rated cleanliness was not associated with improved CDI performance in U.S. national hospital data. Findings were consistent across multiple operationalizations of cleanliness and CDI suggesting patient perceptions of cleanliness are not a strong indicator of CDI control measure performance.

To deconstruct the multiple levels of risk factors for Clostridioides difficile infection, using multilevel models (MLMs) accounting for patient movement.

Case-control study of patients hospitalized in three acute care Delaware hospitals, December 2019–December 2023.

Cases were patients aged ≥18 years who tested positive for hospital-onset C. difficile infection. Controls were patients aged ≥18 years hospitalized more than 72 hours, who did not test positive for C. difficile infection.

Hierarchical and cross-classified MLMs were used to calculate odds of C. difficile infection based on patient-level risk factors and to evaluate the variation in odds of infection attributable to environmental risk factors using the hospital unit(s) a patient was assigned to during hospitalization.

Our study included 1,223 patients (249 cases, 974 controls). In both models, greater odds of infection were associated with antibiotic exposure [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 11.20, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 7.19, 17.40; aOR = 12.80, 95% CI = 8.46, 19.40 for hierarchical and cross-classified models respectively] and health insurance (aOR = 1.74, 95% CI = 1.12, 2.68; aOR = 1.62, 95% CI = 1.03, 2.53; public vs. private). Median odds ratios (MOR) for both models indicated greater relevance of between-unit heterogeneity in the outcome than health insurance but less than antibiotic exposure (MOR = 1.83, 95% CI = 1.56, 2.30 and 2.71 95% CI = 2.10, 4.06).

Using multilevel methods accounting for patient movement, we found that while antibiotic use is the most important risk factor in patients that developed C. difficile infection, environmental risk factors are additionally important and should be considered in research involving hospitalized patients and healthcare-associated infections.

To identify host and clinical risk factors contributing to the development of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) among colonized patients.

Retrospective, matched case-control study.

Duke University Health System, including 3 hospitals and affiliated outpatient clinics.

Adult patients who underwent ≥2 two-step C. difficile tests (nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT) followed by toxin enzyme immunoassay) between 03/15/2020–12/31/2023. Cases were patients with C. difficile colonization (NAAT+/toxin–) who converted to CDI (NAAT+/toxin+) within 90 days; controls were colonized patients who remained toxin-negative. Cases were matched to controls by date of index testing (±1 year).

Data collection encompassed a 90-day “pre-exposure” period preceding index testing and a ≤ 90-day “exposure” period between index and repeat testing. Antibiotic use was stratified by risk for each period. Multivariate conditional logistic regression with forward selection was used to identify predictors of progression.

Among 2,212 colonized patients, 71 cases and 133 matched controls were identified. Several host and clinical characteristics were independently associated with progression to CDI in our multivariate model. Notably, high-risk antibiotic use across the pre-exposure and exposure periods was associated with greater odds of progression to CDI compared to other patterns of antibiotic use (adjusted odds ratio 2.70; P = .03).

Sustained exposure to high-risk antibiotics was a strong predictor of the progression from C. difficile colonization to infection, underscoring the need for further research on longitudinal stewardship strategies for CDI prevention, particularly among patients previously identified as colonized.

Assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices for control of Candidozyma auris among healthcare providers in long-term acute care hospitals (LTACHs).

Mixed methods; quantitative survey, followed by qualitative focus groups.

Two LTACHs with endemic spread of C. auris in the Chicago, Illinois region.

Convenience sample of frontline healthcare providers.

Fifty-three quantitative surveys were completed, and 21 individuals participated in qualitative focus groups. Survey participants were 92% female, 43% nurses, and 60% had >10 years of experience in their current role. They reported awareness of high-priority healthcare-associated multidrug-resistant pathogens, including C. auris (86%). Most participants agreed that C. auris is a national problem (74%), but only 56% agreed it was a problem in their own hospital. Barriers to C. auris prevention identified in the survey included understaffing (63%), lack of training (52%), lack of coworker accountability (48%), and lack of adequate time for task completion (49% for self, 48% for coworkers). Focus groups included 10 nurses, 5 patient care technicians, 3 secretaries, and 3 therapists. Focus groups highlighted the importance of enforcement and monitoring of prevention measures and the need for additional education. When asked how to improve infection prevention at their hospital, participants identified themes of education, improvements in enforcement and monitoring of prevention measures, staff support, and improvements in visual communication and healthcare design.

In this cohort of frontline LTACH healthcare providers, we identified multiple barriers to C. auris containment and elicited potential solutions. These insights suggest targets for future interventions to improve C. auris control.

Early identification of patients colonized with multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) facilitates infection control interventions. We assessed a Public Health Risk Model’s ability to predict carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales and other MDROs.

We retrospectively analyzed a medical intensive care unit patient cohort screened at time of admission for MDRO carriage (1/2017–1/2018). Encounters were linked to Illinois Hospital Discharge Data and assigned a public health risk model probability score. We compared the model’s performance to traditional screening strategies that use variables locally available to clinicians at time of admission (i.e., transfer from other hospital, tracheostomy, gastrostomy, pressure ulcer). Model discrimination was evaluated by quantifying the area under the curve (AUC). For each approach, we assessed sensitivity, specificity, and number needed to screen (NNS) to detect one MDRO carrier.

Model probability calculation was successful in 1237/1250 (98.9%) admissions. The model identified carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales colonization well (AUC 0.82) and generalized to predict colonization with other healthcare-associated MDROs, including carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (AUC 0.82) and vancomycin-resistant enterococci (AUC 0.76). The model did not predict MDROs with known local community reservoirs, i.e., third-generation cephalosporin-resistant Enterobacterales (AUC 0.61) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (AUC 0.59). At the same NNS, the model had higher sensitivity compared to use of traditional screening strategies (68% versus 41%).

A risk model using patient-level healthcare exposure data from a state public health dataset identified critically ill patients likely to harbor healthcare-associated MDROs at the time of admission.

To assess preparedness for Candida auris in Canadian hospitals.

Cross-sectional survey.

Canadian Nosocomial Infection Surveillance Program (CNISP) hospitals.

In June 2024, surveys were e-mailed to the infection prevention and control departments of 109 CNISP hospitals and their 33 microbiology laboratories. The surveys assessed policies for patient screening/management and laboratory processes supporting C. auris transmission prevention. Results were compared to a similar 2018 survey.

All 109 hospitals and 32/33 laboratories responded. Most hospitals had policies for admission screening (80%, 87/109) and policies/defined plans for post-exposure screening (95%, 104/109). Policy presence increased from 18% to 73% in 56 hospitals completing both 2018 and 2024 surveys (P < 0.001). Among hospitals with admission screening policies, 69% (60/87) screened for recent out-of-country hospitalization. All but one hospital implemented transmission-based precautions for cases; 70% (76/109) continued precautions indefinitely. Overall, 94% (99/105; excluding hospitals with exclusively private rooms) and 55% (60/109) of hospitals screened roommates and wardmates, respectively. Frequency and timing of screening and policies regarding precautions for exposed patients varied. All hospitals used axilla and groin swabs, at minimum, for screening. Most (81%, 26/32) laboratories identified all clinically significant Candida isolates to species level, increasing from 48% to 85% (P < 0.001) in the 27 laboratories completing both 2018 and 2024 surveys. Twenty-four laboratories (75%) had standard operating procedures for processing screening specimens; 96% (23/24) used direct plating onto chromogenic agar.

Despite progress in C. auris preparedness, areas for improvement remain. Variability in practice may be related to evidence gaps and resource constraints.