Infection Intel: PerfectClean Wipers, VITEK 2 AST Kit Recall, and CDC Updates on COVID-19 Reporting

Infection Intel is the column for Infection Control Today^® (ICT^®) that covers the latest news, including updates on product developments, mergers, and more from companies in the infection control and prevention field.

Independent Studies Show KLORESE and PerfectCLEAN Wiper Eradicate Deadly Fungal Infections

Candida auris tops the list of concerns that infection preventionists and environmental services departments are contending with right now. Independent tests affirm that the KLORESE cleaner-disinfectant combined with PerfectCLEAN wipers eradicates Candida auris (C auris) in under one minute. This powerful duo effectively combats rising fungal infections in healthcare settings, preventing surface transmission and cross-contamination and protecting vulnerable populations. With antimicrobial-resistant fungi like C auris posing significant challenges to healthcare systems worldwide, the WHO has urged proactive measures to curb transmission. The successful results underscore the vital role of robust cleaning and disinfection protocols in safeguarding patient health and reducing the economic burden associated with prolonged hospital stays and treatments. As a trusted leader in infection prevention, UMF|PerfectCLEAN offers innovative solutions to combat health care-associated infections effectively.

“C auris is top of mind for infection preventionists across the country,” said Mark Hodgson, LRSC, HTEC, of Healthcare, UMF|PerfectCLEAN. “This independent testing validates the efficacy of KLORESE combined with the performance of PerfectCLEAN wipers in fighting this deadly multidrug-resistant fungus. Environmental cleaning and disinfection with KLORESE and PerfectCLEAN provide an essential program to keep patients, staff, and visitors safe and to reduce the considerable financial impact of preventable health care-associated infections (pHAIs) caused by numerous pathogens, including C auris.”

FDA Issues Urgent Safety Notice for VITEK 2 AST Kit Due to Antibiotic Concentration Issue

The FDA urgently issued a Class I recall for the VITEK 2 AST kit, a crucial tool for testing bacteria susceptibility to antibiotics. This recall is due to a serious Ceftriaxone concentration issue. The recall affects a significant number of 49,276 kits distributed in the US from December 12, 2023, to March 4, 2024. BioMérieux, the manufacturer, initiated the recall on March 14, 2024, after identifying higher Ceftriaxone levels in two wells of the kit.

This discrepancy could lead to severe health consequences, including prolonged hospital stays, treatment failure, and even death. While there have been no reported injuries or deaths, health care professionals using these kits are strongly advised to consider alternative methods if the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) falls within certain ranges.

BioMérieux sent all affected customers an Urgent Field Safety Notice on March 15, 2024.

The CDC announced that hospitals are no longer mandated to report COVID-19 data to federal officials starting Wednesday, May 1, 2024, marking the end of pandemic-era requirements. This change follows a significant reduction in reporting mandates since the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency nearly a year ago. Nationwide, COVID-19 hospitalizations and deaths have significantly decreased this spring. Initially, health systems were required to report 62 data elements daily, including emergency department capacity and ventilator use.

By May 2023, the CDC discontinued daily new COVID-19 case reporting. The United States Department of Health and Human Services cited evolving data needs and a desire to minimize the burden while maximizing efficiency for the changes. Hospitals had continued reporting COVID-19 data for almost a year postemergency and could report influenza and respiratory syncytial virus admissions. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Although overall COVID-19 cases have declined, the World Health Organization noted the emergence of the KP.2 variant. The CDC encourages voluntary reporting of hospitalization data on its website.

Additionally, on March 1, 2024, the CDC issued updated recommendations for protecting people and communities against respiratory viruses, such as COVID-19, influenza, and RSV. The new guidelines aim to unify the approach to addressing risks from common respiratory viral illnesses, which can have a significant impact on public health and put pressure on hospitals and healthcare workers. The CDC is updating the recommendations now because the US has recognized the need for a more coordinated and comprehensive response to respiratory viruses.