No abstract

Background: Dysuria is one of the most common presenting complaints of young women, and urinalysis is one of the most common laboratory tests performed. Despite the fact that the midstream clean-catch technique is commonly used for urine collection, contaminated urine cultures occur with distressing regularity. The midstream clean-catch technique is time-consuming to explain, frequently not performed correctly by patients, costly for supplies, often embarrassing for patients and staff, and of unproven benefit. Therefore, we designed a study to compare various methods of obtaining specimens for culture from acutely dysuric young women.

This endeavor gave the NJDOH a clearer picture of the effects of Hurricane Sandy and yielded valuable state preparation information to monitor the effects of future severe weather events. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:463-471).

Background:In March 2017, the New Jersey Department of Health received reports of 3 patients who developed septic arthritis after receiving intra-articular injections for osteoarthritis knee pain at the same private outpatient facility in New Jersey. The risk of septic arthritis resulting from intra-articular injection is low. However, outbreaks of septic arthritis associated with unsafe injection practices in outpatient settings have been reported.Methods:An infection prevention assessment of the implicated facility’s practices was conducted because of the ongoing risk to public health. The assessment included an environmental inspection of the facility, staff interviews, infection prevention practice observations, and a medical record and office document review. A call for cases was disseminated to healthcare providers in New Jersey to identify patients treated at the facility who developed septic arthritis after receiving intra-articular injections.Results:We identified 41 patients with septic arthritis associated with intra-articular injections. Cultures of synovial fluid or tissue from 15 of these 41 case patients (37%) recovered bacteria consistent with oral flora. The infection prevention assessment of facility practices identified multiple breaches of recommended infection prevention practices, including inadequate hand hygiene, unsafe injection practices, and poor cleaning and disinfection practices. No additional cases were identified after infection prevention recommendations were implemented by the facility.Discussion:Aseptic technique is imperative when handling, preparing, and administering injectable medications to prevent microbial contamination.Conclusions:This investigation highlights the importance of adhering to infection prevention recommendations. All healthcare personnel who prepare, handle, and administer injectable medications should be trained in infection prevention and safe injection practices.

Early in the pandemic, New Jersey (NJ) long-term care facilities (LTCFs) witnessed severe COVID-19 illness. With limited surveillance to characterize the scope of infection, we estimated the prevalence of antibody to the SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein among residents and staff, to describe the epidemiology, and to measure antibody distribution by prior PCR/antigen status and symptomatology. 10 NJ LTCFs of 20 solicited with diverse geography and bed-capacities were visited between October 2020 and March 2021. A single serum was tested for total N-antibody (ELISA) by the state laboratory. Residents' demographics and clinical history were transcribed from the patient record. For staff, this information was solicited directly from employees, supplemented by prior PCR/antigen results from facilities. 62% of 332 residents and 46% of 661 staff tested N-antibody positive. In a multivariable logistic regression in residents, odds ratios for older age and admission prior before March 1, 2020 were significant. Among the staff, odds ratios for older age, ethnic-racial group, nursing-related job, and COVID-19 symptoms were significantly associated with N-antibody positivity. In a sub-analysis in five better record-keeping LTCFs, 90% of residents and 85% of staff with positive PCR/antigen results were seropositive for N-antibody, yet 25% of residents and 22% of staff were N-antibody positive but PCR/antigen and symptoms negative. The high rate of clinically unsuspected infections likely contributed to the spread. These findings argue for robust surveillance, regular screening of asymptomatic individuals, and vaccinating both residents and staff to abate the pandemic. The data also provide guidance to prevent future outbreaks.