Investigation of Healthcare-Acquired Infections and Antimicrobial Resistance in an Italian Hematology Department before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has made antibiotic resistance (AMR) and healthcare-acquired infections (HAIs) increasingly serious problems. Point-prevalence Surveys (PPS) and other surveillance techniques are essential for antimicrobial management and prevention. Methods: In a hematology department of an Italian hospital, the prevalence of HAI, microbiology, and AMR were examined in this retrospective study in two different periods, namely 2019 and 2021 (pre-pandemic and during the pandemic, respectively). Comparisons were made between patient demographics, hospitalization duration, surveillance swabs, and HAIs. Findings: There was no discernible variation in the prevalence of HAI between 2019 and 2021. Higher rates of HAI were connected with longer hospital stays. Variations in antimicrobial susceptibility and species distribution were found by microbiological analysis. Discussion: The incidence of HAI stayed constant during the epidemic. Nevertheless, shifts in antibiotic susceptibility and microbiological profiles highlight the necessity of continuous monitoring and care. Conclusions: Despite the difficulties of COVID-19, ongoing surveillance and infection control initiatives are crucial for halting HAIs and battling antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in healthcare environments. To fully understand the pandemic’s long-term impact on the spread of infectious diseases and antibiotic resistance, more research is required.

Keywords

• healthcare-acquired infections
• antimicrobial resistance
• COVID-19 pandemic
• microbial identification
• antibiotic susceptibility
• hematology